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Letters to Lazaro the Bolivarian Lion: #1
Translations provided by the Avenger Rat; both letters were originally written in Spanish.
Dear Lazaro,
You say you want Venezuela to be more like America, which is excellent. However, in America, they believe in the concept of separation of church and state, where they are not allowed to make any laws or policies that supports a religion over the other within the country. In Venezuela, our constitution have parts called articles, not amendments. Article 59 in our constitution states that we have freedom of religion, which America also has. However, this is where things get different in the smallest of details. In Venezuela, if Catholic parents request to have catholic education for their children, our public schools must fulfill that request for their children and other Catholic children. In America, public schools can decide whether or not, can they provide Christian education for Christian students, but the policy is based on the local community that pays taxes to it. But like America, our students can choose to bring their Bible with them into school if they choose to do so.
The American government does not endorse Christian holidays as official holidays, even though private businesses and companies can close on those days as holidays. Here in Venezuela, our Catholic holidays are official holidays even though our country does not enforce religious law, yet our Constitution does mention God. This is a common practice with other former Spanish colonies, where they have secular policies, but endorse Catholic holidays as official holidays mainly due to traditions brought from Spain.
Seeing that you are our President, are you going to keep our Christian holidays as federal/official holidays? I think holidays should be valued as much as work.
Carmen Garcia, age 13 (silver fox)
Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela
Lazaro's response:
Dear Carmen:
The fact I wanted us to be more like the U.S. is because I don't want to see repeats of what happened during the days of Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. I felt that there should have been limits on how long one can serve, and to be honest, I don't want to do this job forever. Yet the public wants me to do it for a long time because it has gotten to where the humans don't trust their own race anymore. This is why many of my other counterparts (including Leo leading America) are now heads of state against their wills. Let us all be thankful CNG is dead now, but the aftermath of it shows its effects will take tens of thousands of years to wear off entirely, because the fact us members of the animal kingdom are now dominiating politics (and on a different note, show biz) is the biggest sign of that.
To answer your question, however, I will keep our Christian holidays as federal/official holidays, because I, too, think they should be valued as much as work. It will allow those who are Christians more time to better honor the Lord, as well as minister to those who are not believers. This does differ from the U.S., which, as you have stated, is forbidden from favoring one religion over the other one as outlined by their First Amendment. However, the point of that stemmed from the original immigrants, who came to the land that became the U.S. so they could worship freely; they weren't allowed to do that when they were still living in England. But it depends on how one culture varies from another, and so, in Venezuela, the holidays as federal/official holidays are here to stay.
I hope that helps answer the question, and I thank you for writing to me. If I missed something, feel free to write back and I'll correct the error.
Yours truly,
Lazaro Zevallos, a.k.a. Lazaro the Bolivarian Lion
Now serving as President of Venezuela
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Letters to Lazaro the Bolivarian Lion: #1
Translations provided by the Avenger Rat; both letters were originally written in Spanish.
Dear Lazaro,
You say you want Venezuela to be more like America, which is excellent. However, in America, they believe in the concept of separation of church and state, where they are not allowed to make any laws or policies that supports a religion over the other within the country. In Venezuela, our constitution have parts called articles, not amendments. Article 59 in our constitution states that we have freedom of religion, which America also has. However, this is where things get different in the smallest of details. In Venezuela, if Catholic parents request to have catholic education for their children, our public schools must fulfill that request for their children and other Catholic children. In America, public schools can decide whether or not, can they provide Christian education for Christian students, but the policy is based on the local community that pays taxes to it. But like America, our students can choose to bring their Bible with them into school if they choose to do so.
The American government does not endorse Christian holidays as official holidays, even though private businesses and companies can close on those days as holidays. Here in Venezuela, our Catholic holidays are official holidays even though our country does not enforce religious law, yet our Constitution does mention God. This is a common practice with other former Spanish colonies, where they have secular policies, but endorse Catholic holidays as official holidays mainly due to traditions brought from Spain.
Seeing that you are our President, are you going to keep our Christian holidays as federal/official holidays? I think holidays should be valued as much as work.
Carmen Garcia, age 13 (silver fox)
Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela
Lazaro's response:
Dear Carmen:
The fact I wanted us to be more like the U.S. is because I don't want to see repeats of what happened during the days of Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. I felt that there should have been limits on how long one can serve, and to be honest, I don't want to do this job forever. Yet the public wants me to do it for a long time because it has gotten to where the humans don't trust their own race anymore. This is why many of my other counterparts (including Leo leading America) are now heads of state against their wills. Let us all be thankful CNG is dead now, but the aftermath of it shows its effects will take tens of thousands of years to wear off entirely, because the fact us members of the animal kingdom are now dominiating politics (and on a different note, show biz) is the biggest sign of that.
To answer your question, however, I will keep our Christian holidays as federal/official holidays, because I, too, think they should be valued as much as work. It will allow those who are Christians more time to better honor the Lord, as well as minister to those who are not believers. This does differ from the U.S., which, as you have stated, is forbidden from favoring one religion over the other one as outlined by their First Amendment. However, the point of that stemmed from the original immigrants, who came to the land that became the U.S. so they could worship freely; they weren't allowed to do that when they were still living in England. But it depends on how one culture varies from another, and so, in Venezuela, the holidays as federal/official holidays are here to stay.
I hope that helps answer the question, and I thank you for writing to me. If I missed something, feel free to write back and I'll correct the error.
Yours truly,
Lazaro Zevallos, a.k.a. Lazaro the Bolivarian Lion
Now serving as President of Venezuela
Letters to Lazaro the Bolivarian Lion: #1
Lazaro's first letter made known to the public.
Character joint-owned by me and Chuong
Leo the Patriotic Lion © me and me alone
Character joint-owned by me and Chuong
Leo the Patriotic Lion © me and me alone
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 72px
Listed in Folders
Chuong: You may have remember of what I told Leo about Christianity. In your country, you are permitted to do the opposite of what I told Leo about religion, especially the fact that you were a Spanish colony, so it's a traditional thing. Just know that you are Catholic since your population are predominantly Catholic, so how you practice Christianity will differ from Leo's Protestant practice of Christianity. One example is that as a world leader of a predominant Catholic former Spanish colony, you report to the Pope, who is from the Vatican City, and must remain strong ties with him and the Vatican City. Remember, the Pope is higher than you, even if you get along well with him. If you're looking for moral advice to guide your life, the Pope is your very best friend and resource.
Zachary: The American state of Maryland is predominantly Catholic, but per the First Amendment in our concept of separation of church and state, Catholic holidays are not state holidays. To make it short of how we do things in America, our government does not close on Christian holidays, but private businesses can. More of our private companies and stores do make arrangements with Christian employees to allow them to take time off to spend time with family and themselves on Christian holidays.
Gloria: Everybody loves holidays, and as a Venezuelan, you can preach the Gospel from public office even though constitutionally, we don't have a state religion but recognizes God as our creator. Remember, the Pope is your resource.
Juno: So in terms of internal policies about religion, Lazaro can do the opposite of what Leo is only allowed to do, with the difference of Venezuela being predominantly Catholic whereas in America, it's Protestant.
Gloria: Sounds about right.
Zachary: The American state of Maryland is predominantly Catholic, but per the First Amendment in our concept of separation of church and state, Catholic holidays are not state holidays. To make it short of how we do things in America, our government does not close on Christian holidays, but private businesses can. More of our private companies and stores do make arrangements with Christian employees to allow them to take time off to spend time with family and themselves on Christian holidays.
Gloria: Everybody loves holidays, and as a Venezuelan, you can preach the Gospel from public office even though constitutionally, we don't have a state religion but recognizes God as our creator. Remember, the Pope is your resource.
Juno: So in terms of internal policies about religion, Lazaro can do the opposite of what Leo is only allowed to do, with the difference of Venezuela being predominantly Catholic whereas in America, it's Protestant.
Gloria: Sounds about right.
Lazaro: Those thoughts did cross my mind. But I do feel that the holidays should remain.
Leo: I think that for you, this was the right decision. Still, don't forget about what they said about the Pope. I had the pleasure of meeting the Pope once, but that was more to do with keeping him safe from the forces of evil.
Lazaro: Still, that was thrilling, I hope.
Leo: It is. Not just anybody gets to be the Pope.
Lazaro: No.
Leo: Still, we wish you all the best and send our prayers to you.
Lazaro: Thank you. I need all the prayers I can get. I wasn't prepared for this position. Then again, that's how you won the office.
Leo: I did. I didn't even want the job at the start because there were concerns I'd snap again. Ironically, being President of the United States has so far resulted in some of the calmest years of my lifetime.
Leo: I think that for you, this was the right decision. Still, don't forget about what they said about the Pope. I had the pleasure of meeting the Pope once, but that was more to do with keeping him safe from the forces of evil.
Lazaro: Still, that was thrilling, I hope.
Leo: It is. Not just anybody gets to be the Pope.
Lazaro: No.
Leo: Still, we wish you all the best and send our prayers to you.
Lazaro: Thank you. I need all the prayers I can get. I wasn't prepared for this position. Then again, that's how you won the office.
Leo: I did. I didn't even want the job at the start because there were concerns I'd snap again. Ironically, being President of the United States has so far resulted in some of the calmest years of my lifetime.
Chuong: I think those Catholic holidays being federal holidays should remain that way in Venezuela too. Good choice!
Gloria: And besides, they're holidays and everybody loves them, Catholic or not.
Gloria: And besides, they're holidays and everybody loves them, Catholic or not.
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