Out of respect for Jim Darwin : Atheists and Christians...Could we at least agree on this?

Question

Let’s honor the ideal of keeping Church and State separate.
I mean out of schools, out of politics, out of wars out of everything that affect us all. We are obviously not all Christians and even within Christianity there are different sects that don’t see eye to eye so why should we all bow down to your scriptures? Why should so much of our daily life be affected by Christianity?
From what I see here on YA, I sense you wonder about what you feel is the vehemence of Atheism, I think you will find that it is a passion fueled by the irritation at the fact that you feel your ideals are the majority and those who do not subscribe are wrong. The Hypocrisy of religion is the key here and if you read a lot of the Q and A you will see that it keeps coming back to that, here are the rules that you have been given to follow, a manual let’s say and then you do what you wish (human nature) and then you have the convenient “out” of repentance. Not fair! As an Atheist I have to be moral and good because it is my choice, I don’t have the luxury of saying “I am sorry- you are my Lord and Savior, I repent …must have been the devil”
Okay so that said- You are tax exempt (as a self employed person you just don’t know how that chaps my butt!) You have the blessings of your God so again why don’t you leave the rest of us alone?
After the rant clears we are left with…
Church and State separate?
Yes or No

Answer 1

Sounds fair. Now what about getting humanist tax breaks?

Answer 2

Obviously yes.

Some observations: the first political states in human history had established religions. The same was the case everywhere for several millennia, until in the 16th century a group of European Christian radicals developed the crazy notion that there should be such a thing as "freedom of conscience," and that the state should have no established religion. These Christians (called Anabaptists or Spiritualists) were imprisoned and burned at the stake for their opinion... but what do you know, 400 years later everyone realizes they were right. Even the atheists.

Another observation: while we agree on the separation of church and state, in that the state should officially sanction no religion, the unfortunate truth is that it's impossible to excise religious considerations from ethics, and therefore from law. Keep asking "Why should we have such and such a law," and eventually you will arrive at a moral axiom -- that is, a perception of moral truth which is undeniable, though strictly indemonstrable. This leaves atheists who want a rational basis for law in the uncomfortable position of finding this basis in a decidedly nonempirical phenomenon... and that (shudder) could open the door to all sorts of evil things... like theism.

Answer 3

1.The non-Christians have twisted the church-state issue.
2. Just because I am a Christian, doesn't mean I go around hurting those who aren't, or destroying their things.
3. You have a right to be who you are, just as we have a right to be who we are.
4. If you don't believe in God, and you see the Ten Commandments on a lawn or building, or you hear a Christian prayer at a game, etc., then just turn your head the other way or plug your ears. Just like if I am offended at something. I ignore it or turn the other way.

Non-Christians may be succeeding in taking prayer out of schools or games, and taking away Christian displays from public property, but you WILL NEVER take God out of our hearts.

Answer 4

Religion and "belief" cannot be forced upon anyone by the church or by the state. Athiesm cannot be forced upon anyone by the church or by the state. Likewise, the exercise of religion should not be forced "into the closet" because there are people who, by choice, do not wish to participate. Everyone, including athiests, has the right and the freedom to look the other way and refrain from participation. As long as free men and women go to war, attend schools, and get involved in politics, there may be some evidence of the existence of religion in those public arenas. To abolish the public expression of faith is to abolish freedom of speech and freedom of choice. No one has to be wrong simply because they are outnumbered and no one has to be right simply because they are in the majority. It is not about numbers when it comes to upholding the legal precepts of freedom.

Answer 5

Yes
The principle of the separation of church and state is that the state shall not legislate concerning matters of religious belief. In particular, it means not only that the state cannot promote one religion at the expense of another, but also that it cannot promote any belief which is religious in nature.

Christian prayer in schools is intimidating to non-Christians, even if they are told that they need not join in. It is particularly bad if the prayer is led by a teacher, or otherwise officially endorsed.

Children are quite free to pray as they wish in their free time.

Answer 6

I see hypocrites on both sides of the fence doing exactly the same thing to eachother.

You need to have what you believe for yourself and other people the same. Athiests and Christians who need others to think what they think or who get offended by waht others say about their beliefs are guilty of the same act.

You can't separate what people really feel about life even if it is down on paper as a law. People are very emotional about politics and religion.

Here you are defending your atheism and criticising Christians. Your question is not only a question but also a defens of your system of beliefs. You are allowed to be passionate about them but see that you are doing what the Christians are doing that you dislike.

Quite atheists and Christians who are secure in their beliefs do not concern themselves with this petty bickering.

And you forget that there are MANY Jewish, Muslim, Buddhust, Hindu and other relgions in your country. Why do you only care about what Christians think? There are other religions too. And to say that all relgious people are hypocrites is frankly ignorant.

You are not even capable of keeping religion and politics separate in your question so how do you expect others to do it?

Furthermore, relgion already is separate fro state so what is the point of this question anyway?

You want to keep religion out of wars? Many wars are because of religion. You can't just get rid of relgion. It has been around for the history of humanity.

You already are free and do not have to be affected by Christianity. You are letting it get to you.

You can't make something like relgious belief vanish. And if you want it to, you are the same kind of hypocrite as the Christian you describe but your "relgion" is atheism and following people like Jim who like to insult other people with illogical statements that have not to tod with the faculty of reason.

Answer 7

I have no problem with separating church and state. Our constitution provided for it. But we can not separate religion and the person, even if that person is a senator, judge, or president. The separation clause never meant that. The separation clause meant to do away with Catholic ran government, and British (king) ran church. It does not say you must not allow your religion to influence you decisions about anything, even if you rule over others.

Answer 8

so if I understand you right. your saying since everyone does not believe as we do we should kind of step aside? Now without showing any disrespect and without being rude. If we said the same thing to you, How would that make you feel? if we said since not everyone believes in God lets agree to put God into everything. You would be upset and mad.

Answer 9

I agree with everything.
Church and State should definitely be separate

Answer 10

Yes, because if they were to teach Christianity, they should also teach Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Hinduism, Paganism, Satanism, etc.

Answer 11

You won't get an argument about that from me.
Now, uh, every church will be paying it's fair share of taxes from now on right?
Right?