Ballot Initiatives Concerning the Supreme Ruler of the Universe

theocracy, washington, ballot, initiative, atheism, atheist, religion, higher, power, supreme, god, religion, religious, christian, stupid,
I'm not kidding you. (Thanks to Bloc Raissoneur for tipping me off to this.)

In Washington, there is currently a ballot initative, number 1040, filed January 15, 2009, by
Ms. Kimberlie Struiksma
(address in the full text, link below)
kimberlies@hotmail.com

Ballot Title
Initiative Measure No. 1040

concerns a supreme ruler of the universe.This measure would prohibit state use of public money or lands for anything that denies or attempts to refute the existence of a supreme ruler of the universe, including textbooks, instruction or research. well, gee, just get rid of science, history, genetics, medicine, physics, geology, any science and any literature other than the bible.

Ballot Measure Summary (full text here)

This measure would require state government not to use public funds or property for anything that denies or attempts to refute the existence of a supreme ruler of the universe, including but not limited to appropriations for displays, textbooks, scientific endeavors, instruction, and research projects. The measure would provide that no person shall be questioned based on their personal values, beliefs, or opinions regarding the existence of a supreme ruler of the universe.

I am so blown away that in 2009 someone would attempt this shit, I printed it out and will type the text in for you. (Stupid pdf file.) I am leaving in the grammatical and spelling errors.

(1) The purpose of this act is to defend the liberty of the people of the state of Washington. According to the founding documents of our democratic society, the United States Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the state of Washington, the purpose of our government is to secure the liberties of the people which are governed. According to these documents, our liberties have been endowed by a higher power.

(2) This act is not about morality, or personal faith, or freedom of thought. It is not about what individual citizens choose to believe or disbelieve. It is not about repealing the First Amendment, denying the citizens of this state their constitutional right to free speech, prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or respecting an establishment of religion. It is not about limiting the rights of individual citizens; rather, it is about requiring our government to do its job, to protect our liberty, a liberty which has been endowed by our Creator, the one responsible for Blessing us, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

(3)

[...]

In this nation, it is WE, the people, who are sovereign. . . . According to the founding documents of our democratic society, our liberties are true and valid because they are endowed by a higher power. By contending that a higher power does not exist, our government removes the source of, invalidates, and consequently denies we the people of the United States our liberty. Thus, by denying the existence of a higher power our government defeats its purpose. It is therefore, unconstitutional for the government, as opposed to the individual citizens, of the state of Washington to deny or attempt to refute the existence of the Creator, the one responsible for Blessing us with liberty, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

Let's see what would be affected by this Ballot Measure:

any flyers, brochures, pamplets, signs, billboards, advertisements, announcments, or other postings.

any activity or operation designed to test or train state employees, members of the state armed forces, elected officials, students enrolled in public schools, including colleges and universities

any teachings, lessons, set of objectives or curriculum

any organization, corporation, company, partnership, association, trust, foundation, fund, club, society, committee, political party, board, commission, agency, independent office, political subdivision of any county, city, town, municipal corporation, school district, public educational institution, or any group of persons, whether or not incorporated, permanently or temporarily associated together for joint action or advancement of views on any subject or subjects that is receiving public moneys or property

any studious inquiry, investigation or experimentation

any act, idea, theory, intervention, coference, organization or individual having to do with science

any textbook, workbook, manual or material intended for use as a principal source of study matetial.

[...]

Section 3.2

Respecting no establishment of religion, yet with respect to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, whose existence has been declared in the preamble to the Constitution of the state of Washington, the state shall make no appropriation for nor apply any public moneys or property in support of anything, specifically including, but not limited to, any display, exercise, instruction, textbook, scientific endeavor, circulated document, or research project which denies or attempts to refute the existence of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

so essentially everything.

[...]

Section 6.3

No public entity shall be held in contempt for the personal beliefs regarding a Supreme Ruler of the Universe or a higher power of its employees or associates who are acting independently of the entity. However, the ideas set forth, regarding a Supreme Ruler of the Universe or a higher power, and perpetuated by individuals when acting on behalf of, or in a representative position, can be found to represent the beliefs of the larger public entity.

Welcome to the Theocratic State of Washington!