Join the Foundation's Complaint Against Gov. Musgrove's Ploy
The Freedom From Religion Foundation today blasted as "transparent electioneering" Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's invitation to display notorious Judge Roy Moore's unconstitutional Ten Commandments monument in the Mississippi Capitol for a week in September.
Musgrove sent Moore a letter two days ago praising the judge, calling the Ten Commandments "the basis for our legal tradition," and announcing he will call on other governors to display the monument in state capitols as well.
"It would be my honor to host this monument as a symbol of every Mississippian's dedication to the fundamental principles of the Ten Commandments."
In a public statement on state letterhead, Musgrove also invoked "our Christian heritage," condemned "groups like the ACLU," and said there is no "freedom from religion." He called the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Supreme Court building on Wednesday a "tragedy."
In a letter to Musgrove on behalf of its Mississippi members, the Foundation condemned Musgrove's emulation of the lawless Moore.
"As a public official you have taken an oath of office to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution, not your bible and one religious set of edicts. You were not elected state preacher but governor of all the people, not just Christians."
Musgrove's statements, revealing a "pitiful grasp of our secular nation's inception," effectively disenfranchise any nonChristian Mississippian, noted Annie Laurie Gaylor in her letter on behalf of the Foundation.
"We urge you to abandon your ill-begotten crusade to mix religion and government, and imperil Mississippi taxpayer money with this unconstitutional action."
Musgrove also announced the formation of "Mississippians for Religious Freedom" to raise funds, "if needed, to pay the expenses of moving Alabama's [5,300-pound] monument."
See the full text of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's letter to Musgrove.
Please contact Gov. Ronnie Musgrove:
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove
Office of the Governor
PO Box 139
Jackson MS 39205
fax 601/359-3741
Toll-free in MS: 1-877-405-0733
Please contact your own governor to urge him or her to keep your state capitol free of pandering sectarian messages and strife.
Letters to the editor are also in order:
Clarion-Ledger
Letters to the Editor
PO Box 40
Jackson MS 39205
fax 601/691-7211
Please keep letters to the editor short and to the point, and be sure to use your name and full mailing address and phone numbers in emailed or mailed letters.