Submitted by Marcia Smith
Again this week, the grossly incompetent Town of Edgewood Commissioners spent time focused on their religion and their personal faith (See the Town’s Proclamation Recognizing the Christian Heritage of the United States and Calling for Prayer, Worship, and Repentance on the Town website) instead of focusing on what the citizens of Edgewood REALLY care about – improving the water and roads.
Church-state separation is promised by the constitution, but it is being threatened by white Christian Nationalists.
This proclamation claims that the “the Christian faith has played a foundational role in the establishment and development of the United States of America, shaping its values, principles, and history” but the Native Americans were here first – and their role in the Americas was not even mentioned. Neither was the fact that when Pilgrims arrived in the new world, they were seeking refuge from religious persecution.
This Proclamation and the Policy Regarding Prayers and Invocation at Town Commission Meetings do not mention any other faith other than Christianity (completely neglecting Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto, Native American Spiritual beliefs, and more) and clearly discriminate against people who are atheist or agnostic.
The most important legacy in this area is that of the Pueblo Indians. Everywhere we go, there we are – on native land. Stop preaching at us and do something about the water and roads!!
It goes both ways – move on. Quit making an issue over this so other items on the agenda get the attention they deserve! There are many who are indigenous and appreciate the proclamation. You don’t speak for the majority.