Tennessee City's Resolution Supporting Israel Criticized For Religious References

The Mt. Juliet, Tennessee City Commission at its July 25 meeting passed, by a 4-1 vote, a resolution (full text Word.doc) supporting the nation of Israel.  The Tennessean, however, reports that one person at the meeting objected on First Amendment grounds to one of the eight "Whereas" clauses with which the resolution begins.  That clause reads: "WHEREAS, the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promises in Genesis 12:3 to bless those that bless Israel: 'I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.'" The vice-mayor said he saw nothing in the resolution that established a state-run church.