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DEL.ICIO.USChristian Coalition: Supports guns-in-churches bill, neutral on Sunday stadium sales of beer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At one and the same time, Jim Beck has been a busy — and not so busy fellow.
Beck is leader of the Georgia Christian Coalition. (Not the Georgia Christian Alliance — that’s Sadie Fields.)
Beck’s group has taken two intriguing positions on legislation making its way through the state Capitol. The Christian Coalition supports H.B. 89, the gun bill that would expand the places where you can carry concealed. Churches, for instance.
At the same time, Beck has declared his group’s neutrality on S.B. 454, the measure to permit the Sunday sales of beer and such at a new Braves minor league stadium in Gwinnett County.
Let’s take the gun bill first. Beck points out that the legislation has an opt-out provision — churches, like other private property owners, can still ban firearms from their premises if they want.
But the Christian Coalition leader also said that many of the state’s megachurches would like the option of using their congregants as an informal security force.
“The limit, frankly, on a lot of this will be the church’s insurance policy,” Beck said.
The legislation could also have a deterrent effect. Houses of worship — synagogues in particular — have been targeted in part, he said, because ne’er-do-wells conceive of them as unarmed havens of passivity.
“We think the good [in H.B. 89] outweighs the bad,” Beck said.
What the Christian Coalition leader thinks on that particular bill may be moot. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), is locked in a House-Senate conference committee, as a result of an ongoing feud between the state Senate and the National Rifle Association.
But S.B. 454 is guaranteed to move — given that it carries the signature of Senate Rules Chairman Don Balfour (R-Snellville).
Beck’s logic for not opposing the Sunday sales bill in Gwinnett is twofold. First, it’s a matter of realpolitik.
As Clint Eastwood once said, a lobbyist has got to know his limitations. And Beck realizes he’s got no chance of stopping this one.
The Senate has passed the bill. The House is likely to send it back with a provision that permits grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine on the Christian Sabbath. Which means the final version will be the result of a deal cut by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, and House Speaker Glenn Richardson.
“I’m realistic about the weight the Christian Coalition has when it comes to influencing the three most powerful people in the state,” Beck said.
Secondly, while admitting that drinking on Sunday is “problematic” from a religious viewpoint, Beck draws a public policy distinction between Sunday alcohol consumption in a stadium and buying a case of wine or beer from a grocery store.
Public operations such as stadiums or restaurants have an legal interest in making sure their customers don’t get drunk, Beck said.
“The Braves will be very interested in your behavior. They’re going to be interested in not overserving you,” he noted.
All that said, Beck said the Christian Coalition would have to rethink its position if a broader Sunday sales provision were included in the final version.
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Comments
By Sigh
March 5, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Seperation of church and state means that the government cannot dictate to me when and where i can drink alcohol based on their notion of what god wants. Why is this concept so hard for people to understand. Not everyone is Christian, and we do not want to be forced into following your notion of religion.
By Sigh
March 5, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
I just tried to post, so if i appear more than once i apologize.
Seperation of church and state means that the goverment cannot tell me when and where I am allowed to buy alcohol or drink it. Why is this concept so hard to understand. Not everyone in Georgia is a christian, and we are tired of being boxed into your antiquated notions of religion and worship.
By Jane
March 5, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Alcohol has a negative affect of society. If you cannot stay sober at least one day a week, you are a threat to the society.
By C.Alexander
March 5, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Well, if it’s any consolation, I am a Christian and I’m tired of the no-Sunday alcohol law, too. And there are plenty of others like me.
By Alcohol Is Not The Devil
March 5, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Jane, you’re an idiot.
By FRANKLEEDARLING
March 5, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Jane you are totaly missing the point
By john
March 5, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Jane - i can have a beer or glass of wine and still be sober. i should also be able to buy alcohol when i choose. If you do not want to buy it or drink it, then don’t. i actually think your narrow mindedness is the threat to society, if you feel that a person who likes to have a beer or glass of wine is a threat.
By Ron
March 5, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I agree with Jane.Let’s ban Tuesday sales.
By Copyleft
March 5, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
If everyone’s going to be drinking in church, they certainly should bring their guns to church as well.
Because THAT’ll go well.
By Lily Toad
March 5, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
They need to re-read the New Testament. Jesus turned water into wine, he didn’t turn a stick into a gun.
By Rhett Butler
March 5, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
For those of you who approve of Sunday sales and have not already done so please go to this link and sign.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?GASB138
thanks
By Lucifer
March 5, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Wow, I’m not the only one whose thought that about the bears??? Phew! I used to think I was weird. I almost followed through on it once after drinking on a Sunday, but I don’t think its related.
By RJ
March 5, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Jane suffers from the all-or-nothing mentality which afficts most teetotallers. It’s either abstinence or alcoholism. For rational beings, drinking does not equate drunkenness.
The ban on Sunday liquor sales is a vestige of the Blue Laws. There was a time in Georgia when everything was closed on Sunday. Then grocery stores were allowed to open, but you were limited to only buying food. No dishwashing liquid, not soap, no dog food, etc. Now that Georgia has entered the 19th Century, and everything is open on Sunday except Chick-Fil-A, the only remnant of these arcane laws is the Sunday sales ban.
The thing that amuses me is how those who would wave the banner of maintaining the sanctity of the “sabbath” have no qualms going out to eat after church, getting a haircut, washing the car or any other activity which forces others to work on Sunday even though they themselves would self-righteously declare that they never work on Sunday— it is the Lord’s Day.
Crack that nut of hypocrisy.
By Jesus
March 5, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
I’ll be honest. I’m not all that keen on the guns, but taking away alcohol?! I’d rather have sex with the 2 bears.
By itsme
March 5, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I don’t care what day of the week it is, families of alcoholics need a day of rest.
By Steve Martin
March 5, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Jane, You magnificent slut
By Daniel Boone
March 5, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Do you think trees have feelings? If so, I majorly p** one off today.
By I Love Booze
March 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
If they take away my right to drink beer at stadiums, I will take a s** on the doorstep of the Christian Coalition headquarters.
By ad47aw
March 5, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
This disturbs me qualso. And when you leave teh stadium, turn off teh damn lights!
By Naggro Snakkadopolous
March 5, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I’m Greek!
By FRANKLEEDARLING
March 5, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
vote Sonny&Cagle out I am going to make it my personal crusade to unelect these troggs.
I WANT FREE CHOICE
I DONT NEED TIME MANAGMENT HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT
IF YOU LIVE WITH A ALCOHOLIC THAT IS DESTROYING YOUR LIFE 6 DAYS A WEEK GET HELP THE GOVERNMENT CANT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM FOR YOU
By Otto OTtoman
March 5, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
I support guns in churches combined with a mandatory 3 drink minimum rule while watching the bear fantasy being performed by the local circus and our pastor as the “human”
By Pink Shirt guy
March 5, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Hi Everyone.
By SoCaliSooner
March 5, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Jane,
As one with police officer family members, as well as being of Irish/Indian decent, many are times we’ve gone to church with family members packing heat and maybe not completely sober. God loves us all and maybe it’s not for you to judge.
By Old Gay Man
March 5, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
[http://www.lemonparty.org/]
By Old Gay Man
March 5, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
link to text of bill
By Git off my Momma
March 5, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
The Jews wrote the ist testament. Moses was high on his momma’s crack. The Christians then wrote the 2nd testament to establish there own beliefs because they didn’t like the original Jewish version. If you believe either version is the word of god I got a spacious dumpster to sell you in Loganville where the mother mary appears in an aparition on the top of a grill cheese sandwich. Look to the left redneck and look to the right all three of you d******* voted for a guy named Sonny Perdue please go hunting for each other redneck terds much like deer your population needs some control immigrants rule legal or illegal
By Churchill
March 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Git off is incoherent. I’m sure it was some sort of liberal screed, but I do not understand it. Like most lib tripe, by the way.
If any of you attended a gov’t school and would like to translate, please feel free. Peace.
By GodHatesTrash
March 5, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
These pseudo-Christians are the most bloodthirsty animals since the Aztecs.
Violent trash.
By Just The Facts
March 5, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Ok bloggers, go to: www.votesundaysales.com and make sure your elected officials hear from you.
By Sunday Sales
March 6, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
www.votesundaysales.com
By Jesus
March 6, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
I like to turn water into wine especially on Sunday when I mow my lawn, not everyone can do this so I support at least the sale of wine. As you know I am the son of God, so that should carry some weight. Sorry about the drought my Dad is really mad at America right now for killing so many innocent Iraqis’
By Devil's advocate
March 6, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
That’s religion for you. A Church on one corner, liquor store on the other; Bible in one hand, gun in the other; Cry freedom but let’s keep the slaves.
By Budweiser Frog
March 6, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Some of the best times of my life happened when I was fat drunk and stupid or at least the lady was. If not for Bud my daddy told me I wouldn’t be here. That probably goes for alot of us. Alcohol leads to procreation look it up it’s in the good book. St. Bud verses quarters chapter beer goggles
By GodHatesTrash
March 6, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
If guns are outlawed, how will rednecks get their wives to have sex with them?