We are definitely in a bible belt, but as time goes, it has become more of a religious belt with the bible taking second place.
Many of our founding fathers, especially the signers of the Declaration of Independence expoused a strong faith in not only God as the Creator, but in Jesus Christ as redeemer. They didn't have a generic form of watered down religion. Why the north and western parts of the nation are not necessarily known for strong religious beliefs is beyond me.
The constitution of the state of Alabama requires an acknowledgment of God and Judge Moore was only upholding it as he was supposed to do. A higher court ordered him to remove it and he refused. Judge Moore was still in his legal right to keep the monument.
I met him personally just recently and I felt that it was literally a kangaroo court. The presiding judge had an agenda and a mission to remove him from office. You can read more about it at:
http://www.morallaw.org
There is even a video clip in an interrogation sessin with the Attorney General of Alabama, who coincidently supported him in a similar case prior.
2 Samuel 23:2-3The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men MUST be just, RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD.
"Seventeen distinct States, amalgamated into one as to their foreign concerns, but single and independent as to their internal administration, regularly organized with a legislature and governor resting on the choice of the people, and enlightened by a free press, can never be so fascinated by the arts of one man, as to submit voluntarily to his usurpation."
Even later, in 1822, he wrote this:
"If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption."
Though Jefferson approved of the Constitution, and recognized the reality of the country, his view did not, and does not, support the view that the States surrendered their independence. Rather, the States authorized the existence of a national government to deal with issues which were impractical for them deal with individually.
The vast power of the federal government over the States today was never envisioned, and began its rapid growth with the Civil War.
http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/reasons.html
Southern planters wanted their "property" back.
Just for fun, where is the Constitutional authority for your assertion that once entered into the compact of the American union, a State cannot leave?
The Constitution from which you say the States got their right to secede is the same one which protects us from a national Presbyterian church defended by the federal government. On the one hand you say the feds cannot order the States, and on the other you say they should mandate a federally approved religion.
Is that what is meant by a "living Constitution"?
What I've got against Miller is that he has sold us out down here time and time again. He always pandered to the central government, the socialist state or concept of it anyway. He has stood against or southern symbols (flags, historical people, images, etc.) time and time again.
I'll bet most of you folks have never actually heard the southern point of view on our situation here, just what the U.S. has said about it. Well, it's easy to brand the powerless after you've beaten him down to the ground. But, the truth crushed to the ground is still the truth.