How come if 70 percent of the nation is chritian, then why are we so worried about taking the word christmas out of the stores, and taking under God out of the Pledge. In a nation where majority rules, which being a demoracy is what it is about, why is the majority so worried about offending the minority. Does it not offend the majority when the minority gets what they want all the time. Like gay Marriage for example. Majority says they shouldnt be married, but they still are making headway in their case. WHat do you guys think?
2006-12-21 10:18:27 · 10 answers · asked by bobopotatoe 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Because there are politicians and principals who have no backbone. The answer is as simple as this.
2006-12-21 10:21:02 · answer #1 · answered by Chainsaw 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just because a "majority" believes a certain way, doesn't mean it is the correct or logical decision. There was a time when slavery was considered a "right". There was a time when the majority of people thought women shouldn't vote.
The United States isn't a complete democracy--it is a "representative" democracy. It is also in a constant state of flux as we try to improve it.
Those who want to take God out of things like, the pledge, or out of schools, and out of government, feel we achieve a better democracy for all by keeping religion out of those things.
2006-12-21 10:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Robert E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are missing key concepts in your understanding of what our great nation is all about.
You see, our founders were deeply concerned about 'the tyranny of the majority.' They had experienced and were deeply concerned about majorities riding rough-shod over certain inalienable rights.
Our Bill of Rights, therefore, lists the rights that NO MAJORITY can ever take away. As Jefferson said, your neighbor's opinion on the existance of God neither breaks your leg nor picks your pocket and is therefore none of your concern, and certainly not a matter of law.
DUring the McCarthy era, the 'under God' phrase was added to our perfectly good pledge. It is divisive, it is unconstitutional, and I personally think it's patently stupid, juvenile, and offensive. I grew up a military brat, and we NEVER EVER used the phrase under god in our pledges on our military bases because in the 60s and 70s, they still respected the constitution.
Your views on gays are immaterial to the rights of gays - thank goodness. Their rights do not depend on you having an understanding of or empathy for them, or for any other people.
So, again, our founders feared mob rule and the tyranny of the majority. They never wanted the majority to rule - they didn't even want the majority to vote, if you recall.
Majorities and Super Majorities are required in Congress to pass laws, but 'majority opinion' is not tantamount to law, and no law may be passed which violates any one person's constitutional rights.
The way our founders set it up is far superior to your oppressive, bigoted, and UnAmerican approach, don't ya think? Upon reflection, I mean.
As a group, the ignorance of conservatives about our nation's founding is so darned dangerous to the rest of us. America is so much better than 'majority rules.'
2006-12-21 10:44:33 · answer #3 · answered by cassandra 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because majority doesn't rule in the way you think it does. The bill of rights is set up to protect individuals and bring society under some sort of rule of law. So it doesn't matter how many people are Christian, 99% or .09%, America will not establish a religion. That means SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE (according to Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers.) If we didn't have the bill of rights, that means if a majority of people wanted you to be society's slave, then you would have to become a slave to society. That's called tyranny of the majority. Majority rules only in regard to electing officals.
2006-12-21 10:28:30 · answer #4 · answered by humorist_4_u 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Those days are long gone man, you have to be politically correct and, god forbid you offend anybody that's a fact no doubt. As for your reference to our democracy(this is a dysfunctional democracy being that public opinion is the exact opposite of the government's policy) it has become painfully obvious that the FED'S are only concerned with the top 1 percent of the population and corporate interests. I'm christian, and it I always say MERRY CHRISTMAS
2006-12-21 10:34:49 · answer #5 · answered by E Train 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Majority does not rule. And can you cite a source for your 70% percent of America is Christian? Many Christians do not have a problem with gays or gay marriage.
2006-12-21 10:25:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
70 percent of the nation also wants to get out of Iraq and for Bush to step down...
do you really want to start down that road of "majority rule"?
oh, and the last polls I noticed said gay marriage is about 50/50?
2006-12-21 10:28:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Iran, ~90% id Muslim. Does this make it right for Iran to mix Religion with the government? I think Not.
What you are asking is the same thing, except to a different degree. A nation shouldn't be defined by religion.
2006-12-21 12:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go Cassandra.
To help you understand, and to paraphase Ben Franklin:
Because democracy is two lions and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
does that make it clearer for you. It's ok if you're the lion. do you feel like the lion today?
2006-12-21 11:02:21 · answer #9 · answered by Morey000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gays pay taxes.... Gays get married. It aint that hard to figure out.
2006-12-21 12:23:28 · answer #10 · answered by rubiconski 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋