#seculargovernment

[humanism-speaks]

Burnham Kilgore on 19th Century Sunday Closing Laws

As an illustration of the despotism of the majority in matters of individual right, witness the closing of the Exposition on Sunday. The right of conscience is, in general, acknowledged; but, says the Christian community, “the majority of this nation are Christians, and the majority rule demands the recognition of the Christian idea of Sunday in our laws and institutions; hence you must submit.” Thus, by this majority rule, the right of conscience of the minority is entirely ignored. That this nation is a Christian nation, is almost the only argument used by those who are zealously striving to place the Christian's God in the United States Constitution. This is but another application of the majority rule which ignores the rights of the minority.

Carrie Burnham Kilgore. “Democracy.” Speech to the 1876 Congress of the National Liberal League

[thomasoutt]

#RefrigeratorMagnetsOfTheWorld presents a #StreetScene from the former #ImperialCapitalCity, #Kyoto⛩. Kyoto is also known as the #ThousandYearCapital. It is located in the centre of #Honshū, #Japan 🇯🇵. In the 8th Century, powerful #BuddhistClergy became involved in secular governmental affairs, almost a direct parallel of Christian experience in the #Occident. The government moved the #EmperorOfJapan to #Tokyo in #1869, in a symbolic effort to demonstrate a separation of #SecularGovernment from #ReligiousRegulation. Modern Kyoto became less important as a result of this shift. In an attempt to reverse the economic decline that resulted from this, there was the construction of #LakeBiwaCanal in #1890. During #WorldWarII, Kyoto was considered a potential target for the first Atomic Bomb. However, USA 🇺🇸 #SecretaryOfWar, #HenryLStimson, impressed upon the #TrumanAdministration the need to preserve much of Japan's #Infrastructure, thus, this city was spared from destruction. Today, it is a major tourist destination & in #1997, hosted the conference that resulted "in the protocol on #GreenhouseGasEmissions that bears the city's name. (at Kyoto, Japan)