[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 22814]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REIN IN THE FEDERAL COURTS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the first amendment does not guarantee us 
freedom from religion in government or anywhere else, but freedom of 
religion. That is an important difference. It offers the people the 
ability to determine the role of religion that takes place in society.
  But as the issue stands now, the courts, elected by no one, can 
determine the time, place and content of all religious displays at 
every level of government. They have even prevented a 4-year-old in New 
Jersey from giving his classmates pencils that happen to say ``Jesus 
loves the little children'' on them. The courts have embarked on a 
crusade to save us all from religion.
  The sad thing is that this debate is over religion in public life and 
has moved away from what the Founders intended. The Founders understood 
that religion, like all other ideas, should be thoroughly debated and 
considered as part of representative government. It should not be used 
to impose a lifestyle on anyone, but should play a role in our 
discussion. That is democracy.
  Congress can and should take action, before this country is ruled by 
judicial fiat instead of the consent of the people.

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