Do you agree? I value views from all believers and non-believers?

Question

To the Romans, all religions were equally true.
To the philosophers, all religions were equally false.
To the politicians, all religions were equally useful.

Does this sound familiar? Our politicians keep pulling God and religion into politics. President George W. Bush’s mangling of the wall separating state and church is well documented. In 1954, when President Eisenhower signed the bill adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance (and ironically removing “indivisible”), his words explicitly showed that the idea was to link religiosity and patriotism. In 1988 President Reagan established the National Day of Prayer. On March 27, 2003, House Resolution 153 passed by an overwhelming vote. It urges the President to issue a proclamation “designating a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for all people of the United States.” We are “to seek guidance from God to achieve a greater understanding of our own failings,” and “to gain resolve in meeting the challenges that confront our nation.” The Senate unanimously passed a similar bill. These government actions violate the spirit, if not the letter, of the First Amendment. I say that we are becoming a de facto theocracy.

Answer 1

rp_joe wrote:

"The problem is people are ignorant of history."

I think people are just plain ignorant, period.

Lexicon wrote:

" I'm tired of being discriminated against because I'm a Christian"

You Christians are being discriminated against, huh? When was the last time an atheist was elected to any significant office in America?

Answer 2

I don't think you actually have a grasp of what the first amendment actually says:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

This does not say that the prez can't sign a bill giving me the right to say "under God" when I pledge my flag, or have a national day of prayer, or whatever...it does say that congress can't make a law that will stop my kid from praying in school...or from gathering with other Christian kids in school to study the Bible...or any other religious exercise they might find time for...not my kid, or the Wiccan's kid, or the Satanist's kid, or any other kid, btw.

OH, and just so you know, the term "separation of church and state" does NOT appear anywhere in the Constitution, or in the Declaration of Independence...

No, we are not "becoming a theocracy". A theocracy, by definition, would be a government being led by the Deity in person. There is also nothing in those documents that states that our government can't be led by His representatives. Or the Wiccan's. Or the Satanist's. Or any other religious group. If you can get enough votes, that is.
I thought you folks were supposed to be so much more "educated and intelligent" than Christians? So you keep trying to tell us, anyhow. Gee, you'd have a tuff time proving it by this question.....

Answer 3

We are indeed a de facto theocracy and quickly becoming a true theocracy. There is no separate of church and state anymore and if you even mention that phrase, Christians the country over will be sure to tell you that those words do not appear anywhere in the constitution so it is not guaranteed.

If you're not Christian, much less evangelical and/or fundamentalist, you're outcast, spat upon, called names and made fun of. It's a great sport in this country to ostracise the non-believers.

And yet Christians will yell from the rooftops about how they are being persecuted just like the bible said they would be.

Gag. On a recent episode of 30 Days, an atheist went to live with some Christians. They were saddened that this woman didn't brainwash her children to believe in the supernatural god. When they went with her to meet other atheists and listen to what they endure on a regular basis (both themselves and their CHILDREN), the Christian dad was appalled and decried such treatment. But when the issue of "In God We Trust" being on our money, he got very defensive and finally sputtered, "If you don't like God being on your money, then move to another country!" So much for decrying poor treatment of atheists, eh?

The saddest thing is that they just don't see how they treat the non-believers is a bad thing. They are commanded to witness and in witnessing, they can say and do what they please, I guess. It's all in the name of God afterall.

Yeah, can you tell this is a hotbutton for me? Just let everyone believe as they see fit for themselves and as long as they don't hurt anyone, leave it be. Unfortunately, Christians just don't get it.

The words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the constitution, that's true. But the INTENT of the first amendment... the MEANING OF IT... is that the church and state should remain separate so that one doesn't interfere with the other. It goes both ways. The state should not be in the business of educating the public about god or telling the country what they should and shouldn't believe (a state-run and appointed religion) and the church shouldn't be in the business of making policy decisions for the country based on their beliefs. Read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state

Answer 4

Only a De Facto? Considerign the ultra-Christians that have been in power, and the horrendous amount of Christian Legislation passed, i'd say your already their my friend.

America is still a child when compared to the likes of Europe, and this does have some serious consequences. The idea of 'God' has been torn over for centuries here, and after facing 2 devastating World Wars, as well as hundreds of years of conflict and aggression, Europe has turned away from the likes of religion, as we associate it with Death, War and Destruction.

America has, as yet, never faced such horrendous acts. Its teenage years are full of the Religious Fervour that riddled Britain in the 16th Century. The French had it big for thousands of years, as did the Italians. Its time will pass, America will grow up

Answer 5

I too value all views. But with a caveat (the person has to THINK). As an atheist myself, and reading a few of your last posts, please let me offer this. I had a question answered that made the point that politics, in some ways is a religion too. Many people blindly respond to what they perceive as an affront to them. Historically that has meant religious response. I see more and more that political opinion has replaced religious dogma. I am not saying you are right or wrong, that is not the point of my response (nor would it make any difference if I did) but consider your direction. Based on your posts THINKING should pretty easy

Answer 6

To align religion or God with your politics gives your position more authority.
Political movements have done this from forever.
This is nothing new.
I don't understand that people have not caught on.
In order to have a real authority, you need to raise your hand and truly out of the normal things start to happen.
So what is your point?
This is rhetoric.
It is forecast in the Bible that we are headed that way.
Why are you concerned?
You can't stop it.
It is forecast a degeneration of morality.
It is forecast in the Bible a degeneration of religion.
Why are you getting up tight?
Let er- rip.

Answer 7

Everyone should be allowed to have what religion they want.The problem with most supposedly 100% "tolerant" people is the finishing of their "all tolerant" belief statement.They may say They believe in respecting all religions, all beliefs,serve god any way.The end of statement of tolerance?Except right wing, Jesus loving, talk of a real hell,(expletives) Christians.

Answer 8

" I say that we are becoming a de facto theocracy."

Yes, which is leading into the worship of the man of sin, also referred to as 'the Anti-Christ'. He merely awaits the time appointed for him to be revealed to the whole world (that is left here, after Rapture).

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV)
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Answer 9

Separation of Church and State is a made up amendment by Atheists in an attempt to control the government with their humanistic philosophy... it isn't real... the real agenda is to persecute religions and discriminate against free speech...

Atheists have a bigger agenda than Christians and it's more scary because there is no moral base... it needs to stop... I'm tired of being discriminated against because I'm a Christian

Answer 10

Got in one!
Some people don't understand the historical background and the plain common sense of division of church and state.