I gather atheism is opposed to church involvement with political issues?

Question

Strangely,I haven't found any atheist postings deploring the Catholic stance on the death penalty or the Unitarian enthusiasm for gay marriage. Have these matters escaped your attention? Or are we confronted with truly shameless hypocrisy?

Well,so far no one has addressed to issue. If church involvement in politically-charged issues is to be deplored,that would apply in principle to all churches irrespective of political orientation or the specific issue. Clearly,this is hypocrisy - atheists welcome church involvement if it is on the liberal side of an issue,otherwise deplore. That would seem most hypocritical and unprincipled.
Where did "vinslave' person get the idea I oppose gays?

Well,so far no one has addressed the issue. If church involvement in politically-charged issues is to be deplored,that would apply in principle to all churches irrespective of political orientation or the specific issue. Clearly,this is hypocrisy - atheists welcome church involvement if it is on the liberal side of an issue,otherwise deplore it. That would seem most hypocritical and unprincipled.
Where did "vinslave' person get the idea I oppose gays?

Answer 1

A lot of people on this board like to throw the word hypocrisy around, usually using it incorrectly.
I have no problem with a church being political. The concept of a separation between church and state and the first amendment is that the government shouldn't get involved in religious affairs. Not the other way around. I'm against exempting churches from paying taxes.

Answer 2

Not... quite.
They have the right to promote their *opinions* as any other group, or individual.
It's when they assume that their views must be given more weight because they are religious, or even divinely inspired, then it's a step too far.
In the USA when they might be speaking for the majority of the population, it's very different from the UK where they represent a distinct minority.

And religious opinion is divided on the death penalty and gay marriage, anyway, as far as I am aware.
(In the UK the death penalty's a settled issue, but I've been watching the other debate with interest.)

Answer 3

"Jesus lived in troubled times the religious right was on the rise
Oh what could have saved him from his terrible fate? Separation of church and state."

Most Atheists I know think it's very hypocritical that Catholics oppose abortion and stem cell research but favor capital punishment.

I too am in favor of gay marriage. Why shouldn't gays be as miserable as straight people? But seriously if two people share a home and material possessions and one dies shouldn't the other have rights to their shared stuff? Marriage in a legal sense should be available to all.

Answer 4

I'm not opposed to church involvement with political issues. I'm opposed to legislation based on religion. You can't separate a person from their beliefs, but you can demand that those personal beliefs do not create government that oppresses others.

I don't deplore the Catholic stance on the death penalty, though I do deplore the Catholic stance on condoms. I'm against the death penalty, myself. I don't deplore the Unitarian enthusiasm for gay marriage, though I do deplore the Focus on the Family group's enthusiam against it.

Answer 5

No, truly shameless hypocrisy belongs to those that believe that religious liberty should be limited to their own personal beliefs. Religious institutions that favor gay marriage are only demanding the same religious freedom that Catholics and others already enjoy- the right to decide, without governmental intrusion, who they are permitted to marry within the church. Ministers have, in fact, been arrested for performing marriages- something that should frighten anyone that cherishes religious freedom, including atheists.

As for the death penalty issue- on this I agree that it must be a decision for Society, and not churches, to decide. They can and should weigh in on the issue, since freedom of speech is as cherished as freedom of religion, but ultimately the New And Improved Bible has no business in the courtrooms and halls of Congress.

Edit: Should the Catholic Church be admonished for trying to force their beliefs on others, including their stand on both capital punishment and gay marriage, by extorting members in positions of power to do their bidding lest they lose the sacrament? Are such policies hypocrisy at its worst? Absolutely! But, there's a huge difference between voicing your views on an issue, and forcing your beliefs on others- in the name of religious freedom.

Answer 6

I think purhaps Atheism is a reaction to religions taking it upon themselves to Define "God" and claim "God" as one of thier own; the definition issue is bad enough much less claiming there is One God whom happens to be directly inline with their own beliefs; further, that others must also be inline with thier beliefs are face some wrath from "God" they elect alone define and creat;

It pretty much slaps the world in the face as the Discovery Of Truth is an Individual quest and certainly Not a political quest based on Absolute Politics of any Church.

I have yet to meet a religious person who actually had the sense and courage to stand up for what they felt was truth in reality as they would always fall directly into pre-programed Church Dogma.

Said matters have not escaped my attention as you say, I have long ago casted away any Dogmatic inlkings regarding "God" and the nature of reality according to any Church; with that said, I have learned so much truth about myself I now tend to share it.

Answer 7

Everyone has opinions that others don't agree with. I'm not against a religious group taking up a political cause...after all there's nothing in the Bible that says separation of church and state. I do take offense to political figures making laws based on their religious beliefs instead of good ol' fact finding because the Constitution *does* say separation of church and state. See the difference? It's not the government's job to be the moral police.

Answer 8

I'm an atheist. I'm also pro-life/anti-choice. For me, it's not a religious issue -- it is a moral issue.

I don't have a problem with people living their lives according to religious principles, but I do have a problem with people trying to legislate religious principles.

I use this as a litmus test:

You, a believer, feel you should vote for/against something. Ask yourself this one question, "What reason, other than my religion, is there to believe this is something I should vote for/against?"

If there is no other reason, then allow the behavior to remain legal, and simply do not participate in it (or participate in it if the default would be not to participate).

If there is even ONE reason otherwise, that does not depend on religion, than vote according to your conscience.


That's all I ask. Legislation on conscience, NOT on religion.

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I've answered your question exactly as you've asked it. If the only reason a person can find to go against the death penalty or to be for gay marriage is, "Because my deity tells me so," then I'd rather they didn't vote.

Conscience, not religion. I don't care how conservative or liberal the topic is -- if you have no reason other than religion, keep it out of the legislation. If you have even one single reason other than your religion, be it Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Wiccan, Asatru, etc... then vote as your conscience dictates.

Answer 9

Atheists (and other non Christians) are generally opposed to the Christian church attempting to validate its beliefs by writing them into the laws of the land.

There is a huge difference between speaking out for equal rights as the Unitarians do, speaking out in opposition to death as the Catholics do and wanting your religion taught as science.

If you can't see the difference there's not much anyone can do for you.

Answer 10

Sorry I wrote so much

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods or the supernatural. There is no dogma to it and all atheists are not alike. Though, you’ll find that most atheists believe in separation of church and state, that doesn’t mean that they all do. Atheism doesn’t even count as a philosophy in my opinion. It is just a label that people have given to people who don’t believe in something and because of that, perhaps it is a confusing term.