Does this make any sense?

Question

When Pythagoras said the earth was round, he was slandered by the greeks and the early christian church. They said that god made the earth flat.

When Nicolaus Copernicus said the sun was the center of the universe, not the earth, he was called crazy by the Church. They said god made earth the divine center of the universe.

When Galileo published and proved Copernicus' theory, the vatican burned his work, threatened him with death, and put him in prison. They said he was wrong and that he was condemned by god.

When modern day scientist proved that the earth was much much older than the church had taught. They were told that they were wrong.

The christians have constantly over time pushed away fact and science and then accepted them by changing their bible and the teachings of their god.

Wouldn't if be safe to assume that political choices should never be made by religious belief since religious belief seems to be nothing more then a blind following? That they should be made with freedom of choice and morals considered. So, wouldn't it make sense to vote for someone (religious or not) who makes decisions on what's best for the people and not the religion? In that sense, it rules out all presidential candidates except for Ron Paul (who is very religious, he just doesn't base vote off of it) and some democrats. So, it seems that the most intellegent choice for president (when it comes to whats right for the people) is outlined. I guess the bottom line is, if you're religious, don't base your vote on your religion. Base it on what is best for the country in a whole (consider poor, rich, different creed, sex, color, origins). As a patriot, who would you vote for? Selfishly for yourself, or for the well being of all citizens?

SteveA8...the bible is much different than what it was back then, it has been changed more times than you have wiped your own *butt*.

lord kelvin... you know there's an old testament and a new testament. guess which is in the first!

Answer 1

It makes perfect sense.

Religion is based on beliefs - not fact.

When fact contradicts belief - the result is paranoia and - ultimately - violence.

Answer 2

any institution, including churches, are creations of man and inherintly flawed. This does not negate all that they have to say or offer, or even understand. For example, suspend your disbelieve for a moment and suppose there is a God. Now suppose you are a very early Holy person communing as best you can with God inquiring about the creation. suppose he answers and divulges it to you, in time lapse of course. The very first thing noted in the creation is light. An observer might just assume the earth was already there, but, IN the Beginning what the Bible says is exactly what scientists say is the first thing we would recognize at our current state. I also believe no matter how much we advance, there will be questions we can't answer, only God can

Answer 3

you've got it.

And as we have so many different religions in our country anyway... why should Christianity be considered the "right" one that trumps the rest of them?

A lot of Christians I know can't even follow the Ten Commandments, or the Golden Rule... why should they decide what the rest of the country does or does not do, based on their personal "religious" whims?

Answer 4

but you're being logical. I try to vote for what is the best for the country, but I am a blue collar, outdoor lovin', freedom loving, environmentalist...I am 51 yrs old and voted for Reagan once and Ross Perot once. I keep seeing Tricky Dick Nixon in every Republican and every Republican supported by Christian militants

Answer 5

I think Religion and politics should be two separate things.

I don't see why Christians support war, especially when we are supposed to forgive those who trespass against us and when Jesus tells us to love our enemies.

If you are truly for your religion, I don't think you should be too concerned with politics. You should just do what your religion says and not try to fuse the two together.

Answer 6

Our country was founded on religion. Our currency has "In God we trust" printed on it. The problem of religion and politics defines another set of issues. Church and state deals with the relationship of institutions that are independent of each other. Religion and politics has to do with two spheres of activities in the life of the same persons. Citizens who belong to religious groups are also members of the secular society, and this dual association generates complications. Religious beliefs have moral and social implications, and it is appropriate for people of faith to express these through their activities as citizens in the political order. The fact that ethical convictions are rooted in religious faith does not disqualify them from the political realm. However, they do not have secular validity merely because they are thought by their exponents to be religiously authorized. They must be argued for in appropriate social and political terms in harmony with national values.

In both cases, we should be prepared to deal with complexities, ambiguities, and overlapping realms in which practical discernment must find workable principles to guide us that are as compatible with fundamental Constitutional imperatives as human reason can devise.

Answer 7

i'm a fairly religious person and i never mix my religious beliefs with my political preferences. I really dont think religion has a place in politics, otherwise, like you said, people will follow blindly.

Answer 8

Well I was with you until I saw that you were just trying a different way of saying Vote for Ron Paul.

1. He is not going to get the Republican Nomination let alone the presidency.

2. He needs to apologize to the US military, the victims of Sept 11th and the American people for blaming America for terrorism.

Answer 9

They also claim to support religious freedom, but believe people should appoligize for their opinions, like a guy above.

Answer 10

You would think, but that's going to fall on deaf ears. Too many people have too much invested in their "dogma" to ever admit the earth is actually round, so to speak.