Politics and Religion
Separation of church and state
Serious question:
Do those on the religious right not believe in this principle upon which the country was founded?
The religious right believes that "their" religion is the correct one, and that everybody else must follow "their" religion.
Any other religious belief is simply wrong, and should and cannot be followed simply because they know it is wrong.
What I find interesting though is the fact that both the religious right and Osama use religion to justify their actions. Why is one correct and one wrong?
I can't speak for everyone, but for just me, I surely do believe in separation of church and state. Governments have no business telling people how, when and where to worship. I don't want anyone coming through the doors of my church telling me what to do in my worship; that's what I have the Bible for. Does that qnswer your question?
jhb
Not entirely. You didn't say if you are a member of the religious right. If so, I have a couple of further questions.
Do you believe that children should be required to pray in school?
Does the President you vote for need to be a Christian?
Yes, I guess you could say that I'm a member of the religious right. I don't think children should be required to pray in school, but I think they should be given the option if they want to. I would prefer that a presidential candidate be a Christian, but it's not an automatic turn-off if he isn't. It would depend how he stood on all of the issues.
I would classify those as far right radicals. Radicals are radicals whether right or left.
And frankly, those on both sides are screwing up the country.
Many have the mindset that because the original settlers were members of various Christian sects or denominations, and because we have the words, "In God We Trust," printed on our money, that the United States of America should be a theocracy. This isn't usually a very well conceptualized idea, but comes from the thought that the country should be run according to "God's Will." What's really quite funny, but not in a humorous way, is that while s/he sits in her pew, s/he doesn't believe that the Catholic or Mormon are going to heaven, nor the mainline protestant, nor those who speak in tongues, or not speak in tongues, and s/he is quiet certain that that person down the end of the pew isn't going to get there either. You really have to be quite schizophrenic to be a right-wing evangelical.
I grew up in a very right wing Christian high school. Thankfully my parents never forced any sort of politics or religion down my throat so I was able to think for myself, BUT the school wasn't so flexible, lol.
I find it ironic that the Pilgrims came here to have the freedom to worship but many of the right-wing radicals use their (early settlers) faith as a basis for explaining why Judeo-Christian values should be a part of our government.
I have always held the belief that I don't want God's job (or whatever you happen to call him/her). The job requires a lot of responsibility and I am wholly unqualified to make those decisions about who is worthy of afterlife and who is not.
XO
Melanie
I truly wish it did, but it doesn't. I am surprised that none of our "far right conservatives" have pointed that out.
As far as "State sponsored Religion" which the Constitution does address, I think the Christians (both left and right) have crossed that line a long time ago.
As I am sure you can tell although I am a member of the RWSAA, I am not a member, nor am I a supporter of the religious right.
-- Modified on 9/11/2008 8:48:44 AM
The issue of church and state is covered by the First Amendment and should be clear enough for anyone. "Separation of church and state" was used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802. He used it to describe and amplify the 1st Amendment and used the words "...thus building a wall of separation between church and state...."
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
If you see the words "Seperation of Church and State" anywhere in the first Ammendment, please be so kind and point them out to me.
You're right, they're not there, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I trying to point out that the First Amendment covers any issues regarding religion, and also point out what Thomas Jefferson said concerning the matter.
The left has been arguing about the supposed ambiguity of the second ammendment as well.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
I believe on this subject at least we agree completely, but there are those who will argue otherwise.
Well, there's not a whole lot we can do about the others, but as for me, I'm sticking to my guns!
the moment the last street thug turns in his. In the meantime, I believe I will hang on to mine as well.
That's a stupid question and you're a jerk for asking it."
You, MRB, think you have laid quite a clever trap, and the right wing boobs will blunder in to it. But your question has demonstrated that you my million-dollar-a-year-earning-Aryan friend are as thick as mud. IMHO, of course.
Not to mention full of shit.
Even if you want to make it one. Religious people have right to support and promote politics just far out liberals.
By strict definition, Congress has not passed any contradictory laws. Bush had faith based organization but Congress did not pass any law. Separation of Executive and Legislative powers.
If this is ploy to shut religious right and evangelicals then you also have to talk about Reverend Wright and his Church and many other churches besides evangelicals.
Most people here are not naive, they all see through you very clear.
After deciphering all they typos, I'm still at a loss to understand how you are addressing my question. All I wanted to know is if the RELIGIOUS right believes that separation of church and state is an appropriate doctrine. I don't know the answer and you have not been even remotely helpful.
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