Lieberman & The ADL

There was once a congregation in need of a clergyman, a community leader.  They advertised in the local paper and two candidates applied.  One was a rich and successful clergyman while the other was a handsome man but as poor as a church mouse.  Each one was given a chance to address the congregation. 

The first told the people to attend daily prayer groups and weekend retreats.  He said that families that prayed together had a better chance of staying together.  That G‑d is needed in all decisions.  After his speech the executive board met and refused to give him the job.  "He is too rich and has nothing to do with his time - so he prays all day and wants us to do the same.  We need a regular clergyman."

The second candidate addressed the people.  He said that all the problems we have in society are caused by the lack of religion.  We need to integrate G‑d into our daily lives.  Movies and T.V. shows are too corrupt, polluting our minds and the minds of our children. 

Once again the board met and rejected the second candidate.  "He is so poor and has nothing to do except find faults with our way of life.  Now he wants us to give up our life styles.  We need a regular person to be a clergyman."

So the story goes and a third candidate was interviewed.  When he spoke he said  "You don't like the rich, you don't like the poor.  You have all the excuses for not having religion.  Well, I was once rich and once poor.  Now I am a regular guy and I believe that religion is the greatest.  It gives us the moral background and strength to build our country.  Faith is indeed the mother and hope for our survival."  Needless to say he got the job.

This story comes to mind when I hear that some Jewish leaders, especially Mr. Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League has asked the Vice Presidential candidate hopeful, Senator Joseph Lieberman, to desist speaking about religion on the campaign trail.  In a recent written letter to the Senator, Foxman accuses Lieberman of "overt expressions" this by invoking religion into politics.  Foxman feels that Senator Lieberman has crossed the line of politics and religion and should be stopped. 

What chutzpa, Nothing could be further from the truth.  Senator Lieberman, Vice President Al Gore, and Governor George W. Bush all profess their faith and interject it in their political speeches.  When did we give up free speech?  Is religious expression anti-democratic?  Do we need protection from leaders who are religious?  It seems that if it was up to people like Foxman we would rid our country of G‑d altogether.  It is also remarkable that those that criticize Joe Lieberman are not too observant in their own practices.  Somehow they pick on Lieberman's speeches ignoring candidates Bush and Gore's remarks for religious beliefs.

I believe Foxman's actions are the antithesis of religious freedom.  By publicly writing Senator Lieberman to desist in expressing religious sentiments he hijacks the Anti-Defamation League program.  Foxman misrepresents the Jewish and non-Jewish religious needs of our country.  He is guilty of the very crimes that the Anti-Defamation was founded for. 

Remember, there is no greater defamation than for a Jew in a leadership position, telling another Jew, elected by the people of our glorious country, that he can't speak his mind.  Ironically it sounds anti-Semitic.

Asking a senator or elected officials to stop speaking their minds about religion is tantamount to asking congress to stop opening their session with a prayer or removing the slogan "In G‑d We Trust" from our country.

Senator Lieberman is the epitome of the American dream.  Luckily he dreams with his eyes open.  He is a regular guy, elected by the people for the people.  He shouldn't be censored because of his religious beliefs.  It is stated in the U.S. Constitution, First Amendment; that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Remember G‑d has granted us prosperity and peace because of our religious beliefs and not in spite of it.

It was said by the great President Lincoln "We trust sir, that G‑d is on our side.  It is more important to know that we are on G‑d's side."