A Theocratic Threat?

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has - unwisely, in my opinion - referenced a Bible verse on his official Twitter and Facebook accounts. The verse is Phillippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

 

The Freedom From Religion Foundation was quick to send the governor a cease and desist - actually delete - letter over the signatures of Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. 

 

Reasonable enough.

 

But check out this ridiculous paragraph:

 

On March 16, 2014, you posted on your official Twitter and Facebook accounts the words "Phillippians 4:13", a verse which reads, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (See attached screen shots) This braggadocio verse coming from a public official is rather disturbing. To say "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me," seems more like a threat, or the utterance of a theocratic dictator, than of a duly elected civil servant.  

 

Yes, how threatening! Why, the next thing you know our presidents will be taking their oath of office with a hand on the Bible or other holy book, like theocratic dictators! (And yes, I could do without that bit of pomp and circumstance, too; however, I don't feel threatened by it, nor when I see it do I feel I am staring a theocrat in the face.)

 

Yes, I would like to see our government neutral in matters of religion, protecting both the freedom of religion as well as protecting those who might feel disenfranchised for a lack of religious faith. 

 

But what I'm not liking is this constant battle between those who are overly zealous religiously and irreligiously.

 

I have no desire to live in a theocracy, but neither would I desire an American version of the Cult of Reason. Humans should not be persecuted for following their conscience and reason to what they feel is a natural conclusion.

 

At present I don't feel our country is in danger of falling into either extreme. Nevertheless, the constant saber rattling of both extremes is troublesome.