Here in New York, the police and the public are on the front lines of the fight against terrorism.
People taking public transportation hear periodic announcements encouraging them to say something if they see something suspicious. Police form a constant presence outside potential terrorism targets like the Stock Exchange. And police checkpoints can be found strategically placed throughout the city.
The midtown and downtown sections of Manhattan are blanketed with security cameras so that police can be on the lookout for suspicious activities. Radiation detectors are also in use, both at vulnerable points, such as tunnels, and in vehicles on the ground and in helicopters on patrol over the city.
But in Kentucky, the first tool in its defensive efforts is God.
A 2006 law requires state Homeland Security officials to acknowledge that "Almighty God" is "vital to the security of the commonwealth."
When they issue their reports, the officials must credit God's "benevolent protection." The law even required the placement of a plague honoring God at the state's emergency operating center.
New Yorkers may feel more secure with the efforts of the police. But for those of faith, perhaps a little additional help from above may afford a greater degree of comfort in these troubling times.
11 comments:
Some may say this raises Constitutional issues about the separation of church and state. But I think not. There is no religion acknowledged here, only God almighty, and that's something that's been recognized in the pledge to the flag, on our currency and during congressional invocations.
Still, the counterterrorism dragnet around New York City gives me more comfort than "acknowledging" God. Those whose loved ones have died in attacks on mosques, churches and the Chabad in India might agree.
I'm sure that some will go up in arms, so to speak, about the idea of separation of church and state (though to be sure, as anonymous pointed out, no specific relgion is metnioned). As for me, however, i find the idea not only refreshing, but imperative. I know some may find that quaint. . .but I don't see any other big answers for terrorism out there. . .do you, the reader? My hat is off to Kentucky!! Who should care more about human life than the Creator of same)? In closing, then, the concept of calling on G-d does not, in my opinion, suggest in the slightest that its an either calling on G-d scenario. . ot a being duly diligent in our government and civic surveillance. In my opinion, we can and must do BOTH.
Every athiest should have 3 things..a foxhole...a gun...and a bible.
Humans.. A most interesting form of creation. One whose predator instincts are honed to take life without impunity. As history has progressed, humans have sharpened their predator instincts to kill people of all ages. There are those that have weakened their conscience to the degree that they care nothing of what is sacred. All life is sacred and does not belong to us to take. There are those that claim that God is on their side. How so? Would the creator choose who is to live and who is to die using terrorists to bring his means to an end? How long ago did the creator leave a lawless people so long ago. What are his thoughts when he views from the heavens what mankind has become? Presumptious mankind assumes that he sides with this nation or that nation. Does he? Did not the creator make all of mankind only to see them slaughter one another under the guise that he is on their side? I feel that humans presume they are all knowing. That they are far greater in knowledge to the creator. How easily they listen to each other yet fail to listen to a far greater power who has only their best interests at heart. Has one ever thought to take the time to see things through the eyes of the creator? To see what he is looking at when he views what mankind has become? It is no wonder that he at one time felt that he had made a mistake in creating man. How he vowed to wipe man from the face of the earth. And yet for the sake of 1 honorable god fearing man he left us here for 1 more chance. Mankind is again failing. We have become a world of predators blood hungry and striving to destroy each other. We humans have become a sad state of affairs. How dare we feel that we can manipulate the creator claiming that he will bow to our every whim and side with blood thirsty people of any nation. Pride comes before the fall. Can you feel ourselves falling?
Hey Gary;
This actually boils down to the message of hope President-Elect Obama heralded throughout his campaign. While he failed to verbalize where the hope would come from, reality is, people gravitated to the Message of Hope because deep down inside of everyone, is a desire for something to hope in.
Many complained, and unfortunately even many inside the church complained, that the message of hope put forth by President-Elect Obama was merely a bumper sticker. While that may be true, I find it a sad statement on the church that they could not, and still cannot, figure out a way to Declare Hope for the Future.
As a matter of fact, after the terrorists attacks on 9-11, church attendance swelled to an all time high. People were filling the pews to hear a Message of Hope. Sadly, they left with no hope because the church has spent more time being trendy and hip, and have forgotten how to declare a simple Message of Hope. Church attendance now, in a post-9-11 era, has dropped even lower than it was before 9-11.
People are searching for a Message of Hope. Where will they find it? Many find it in God, just as the Kentucky legislation has put forth. This is not a "shove down your throat" belief in God. It's simply a recognition that faith gives a sense of protection.
What's the simple Message of Hope you ask?
It's actually a very old message from a man named Jeremiah who was writing during a time of heightened terrorism against the nation of Israel.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, and to give you 'Hope for the Future." Jeremiah 29:11.
Keep encouraged!
Dr. Rus
please lets not bring god into this if you know your bible god has nothing to do with the goverment of today
I really try to understand what drives such people to come to such deeds, being a Muslim myself. But you know? I don't want to think of what could possibly drive them to doing these things, because from what I know it is not the religion. Religion should be a means of obtaining spiritual balance and peace, not a means of dehumanizing people who are not like minded.
Can we not just stop looking at the differences and start to accept that the differences will always exist? Is it not enough to realize that we are all humanbeings who can feel emotions like love for a beloved, for a child, for a human, and sadness, pain, joy, you name it. Is that not one of the things that ties us together? Is it not our humanity? The only certainty and truth we have in this current life of ours, is that one day will leave this life.
Let us work hard so that when that day comes, we can look back at our life with a content feeling.
Peace,
Zahra
Being a Californian, this makes me wish to be in Kentucky instead. Here we have the government trying to demolish morality and God, whereas in Kentucky they are acknowledging that Faith has a significant place in the defense of our nation as everywhere else in our lives.
JDs wife
When a law "requires" state officals to acknowlege an All Mighty God" that takes away the right not to or makes liars out of some. Sounds a lot like the Divinne Right of Kings in which you could be tried for treason if you disagreed with the King. Faith is something we carry in our hearts, but unfortunately usually expressed more in a time of crisis. Isn't that how terrorist justify their attacks with that "god" is on their side?
in my opinion we can not be too prepared. we are the eyes and ears for the first responders as well, The peace that I have comes from God Almighty and that is the only source for me. God Bless this Dear country and be with us all as we face many a trial and tribulation, it is like the world has gone mad, Janie_38
The Founding Fathers, contrary to popular belief, were heavily reliant upon God. In fact, they said some pretty revealing things.
"I have tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty; through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me." ~Alexander Hamilton Last dying words, 12 July 1804
"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge to Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and to humbly implore His protection and favor." ~George Washington October 3, 1789 Proclaiming a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving
These are two samples.
We have allowed the 10 Commandments to be removed from the hallowed halls of our public schools, because a few short-sighted people with their anti-religiosity, feared the moral implications of the sacred texts.
Our Founding Fathers, I believe, wept at that event. And we are reaping the whirlwind now because of our actions.
Be that as it may, we can see where the removal of the Creator from the livelihood and life of the Creation has caused us little else other than trouble. Our reliance upon Him grows more obvious as the world becomes more dangerous.
God bless the people of Kentucky.
They've figured it out.
L.D. McLellan
ft worth
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