Specifically people who think we should teach religion in schools. If you teach a kid that one religion is right, you're telling him/her that every other religion is wrong. Anything putting any religion infront of other religions is wrong and illegal. This is religious oppression. You have religious schools for that. If however you say it would just be to help teach morals, then you are admitting its uselessness. Because you can teach a person morals completely seperate of any religion. This is a proven fact.
On civil unions for people of the same sex. If you think this is wrong based on religion then you have no place in this debate. You may debate whether or not there is established seperation of church and state, but there is no question about oppression of religion being forbidden in the 1st amendment. If you tell some one that they can't do something based on your beliefs you are saying your religious beliefs are more valid and important than theirs. This is never justified.
2006-08-23 12:05:35 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The most popular opposition is the Christian argument that civil unions would be supporting something that God calls an abomination. But that actually means nothing to any one when making laws. Because that is using religion to supress freedom and other religion, which is illegal.
If you want your kids to learn religion, teach them, if you don't like gay civil unions, don't be in one.
2006-08-23 12:11:24 · update #1
To Let's Talk, you proved nothing. Hitler was Christian, religious genocide has been committed quite a few times. There's bad on both sides. And are you saying that if the majority was atheist the country would start mass murdering and forcing things on people? If so, you're wrong, very wrong.
2006-08-23 12:19:11 · update #2
Because that is what they are taught from early in their lives. We are molded into who we become by our environment. If you are taught the Christian ways, you grow up with those beliefs. The same applies if you are Catholic, Buddist, etc.
2006-08-23 12:10:49 · answer #1 · answered by Starla_C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Dan , Im not an atheist & Im a firm believer in God. The real motive behind any religion is to make people live a love filled and harmonious life with themselves and their fellow beings. Every religion in this world arose for the people, and not the other way. Every religion teaches the same things and it emphasizes on Love and finding out the element of God in every human beings. Only just a bare minimum could understand that and live upto that ideal. Unfortunately religions became the major cause for sowing sectarian attitudes and selfishness among the people. There is nothing wrong with religions ,the real fault is with the people who interpret them. They are ignorant as ever. Without understanding the spirit of every religions, they just blindly believe that what they have is the best. I believe this system should change and there must arise a new religion which is founded on Love and Love alone. If you are an atheist and you are giving space for others to live and your relationship with others are based upon love then I respect you from the bottom of my heart. You are much more virtuous than the so called "believers".
2006-08-25 07:34:52 · answer #2 · answered by Sergia Mary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dan, you're doing the exact same thing you accuse religious people of doing when you say that 'if you think this is wrong based on religion you have no place in this debate'...this is the united states and EVERY opinion has a place in the debate, whether you agree or disagree with that opinion...
please, before you spout off about what the constitution says, take the time to actually READ it...what the constitution says is that "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"...it does not say that religious beliefs cannot be the basis of one's political views, votes, or advocacy...if someone is against same-sex unions because they feel that it is contrary to their religious beliefs, that is their right as an american citizen...and you have the right to oppose them...
try to steer clear of 'proven fact' as regards teaching morality, unless you have the 'proven facts' handy...there are a great many who would say that one thing that all religions have in common is the notion that some things are inherently wrong...even if they don't always agree on what to do about them, if anything...i'm not one of those who believe that schools should be teaching religion (although they should teach ABOUT religion)...the schools have their hands full teaching math, english, science, and the like...'religious instruction' should be occuring in the home...there would be fewer behavioral problems in the schools if parents WOULD teach a little morality, whether based on their faith or simple community ethics...but this wild-eyed panic that some folks exhibit if a child says 'jesus', prays, or reads a bible during reading time, is truly amazing to behold...
as a final point, if you can't see that ANY type of debate, be it in the schools, in the courts, in the papers, or on the campaign trail IS based on the premise that "i'm right and you're not", you have a lot to learn...there was a night time talk show host on wrva in richmond, va-named jerrry lund-conservative, but not a ranter...i disagreed with him 75% of the time, but one thing i agreed with was this: when someone called in to debate him and said 'you always think you're right', he replied, 'OF COURSE! it'd be pretty stupid of me to voice an opinion that i thought was wrong!' it takes all kinds, and it IS a marketplace of ideas...let them rise and fall on their own merits in a free society...
2006-08-23 19:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I went to a Christian School, and they never implied a religion on me. They taught me the fundamentals of the Christian Faith. Now, Catholic, Baptist, etc schools, they teach the religion, and I agree with you 100%.
2006-08-23 19:09:36 · answer #4 · answered by Rayzor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Christ warned Christians that they would be persecuted for His sake. Christians should not expect tolerance (I am a Christian and I don't), but persecution. Christ died because the world didn't want to hear what He said. Their hearts were evil, and His perfection amplified this.
So I don't expect the world (or my country) to live up to the standards of Christ. I expect myself to, and those who claim to follow Christ. I don't expect everyone to believe (because obviously only those truly seeking Him and those He has called will find Him and be found by Him).
The world can do whatever it wants. They can ban the worship of Jesus, threaten to kill His followers, whatever...but I am confident in my Saviour enough that I believe and pray none of that would sway me from His love and promise of eternal life with Him.
2006-08-23 19:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by hmmph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe because America is 86% Christian...do you think if these atheist minority had power and the majority they wouldn't want their will imposed...if you think they wouldn't maybe you should look at the atheist world leaders from the past...Like Stalin who murdered 70 million people (good theist there) or how about Chairman Mao ..who murdered 200 million. OH..and don't forget atheism was REQUIRED..it was the OFFICAL view of the state...you know the LAW!
Glad to set you straight!
2006-08-23 19:14:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
And you expect a sane well thought out answer form Christian fundamentalist??
And 86% of americans being christian is a load of crap
2006-08-23 19:10:49 · answer #7 · answered by trouthunter 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YOU DON'T ******** DESERVE IT IF YOU ARE AGAINST MY BELIEFS. ***** YOU.
2006-08-23 19:10:29 · answer #8 · answered by LUDD 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋