The Christians are at it again...

Not necessarily true. Fundamentalists tend to believe that Catholics, arguably the first Christians, are cultists (in the pejorative sense of the word). And yet, the Catholics are being forced to fund contraception in health care coverage provided by their hospitals and schools. Now, here's the fun part--they are only exempt from this rule if they only serve members of their faith (or, if I understand correctly) the vast majority of the people they serve are Catholic. If they so, I'm certain that they could be sued for failing to be equal opportunity employers . . . Yeah, explain to me again how there's a separation of church and state? I thought "separation" was supposed to work both ways.

 

It would seem to me that as a Christian for a variety or reasons your self interest would lie in keeping government out of your religion. Certainly as a RWer you scream about government involvement in everything else. Why is religion different for you in this regard? How is the government that you so hate in other respects going to do your faith any good? The mixture has historically not worked to the advantage of either or to that of society in general. A lot of people came to this country to escape just such an unholy alliance.

If your particular God is so weak and so distant from you and your faith so wobbly that you feel you need validation from a state legislature prop things up the word that comes to my mind is pathetic. Might be time to commune with your God and look into your soul and reflect on what you really seek from your religion and how you and your faith might stand alone without accepting spiritual welfare from the government.

 

I am all for government staying out of religion but I also respect the state's legislative process and an elected officials right to present legislation for a vote.
By the way, did you read what HM just posted?

 

See #17

 

An organization that purports to serve the general public as opposed to a more parochial clientele has to play by the rules established for such organizations. It doesn't matter whether it is operated and/or funded by a religious body or a secular one. By the same token the state can't enter the sanctuary and start dictating what is taught from the pulpit or favor one religion (or cult) over another. That's separation as I see it.

 

If there is one thing history has taught us it is that secular society is more reasonable, more just, more compassionate than those that allow the evil of religion any power. Just look at the holy cultures in the middle east..stoning of adulterers, beheadings, maimings, terror and blood letting. This has, over and over again, been the wages of religion. It is a destructive thing and may well kill us all.

 

I'm not sure that you can make a blanket statement like that but I am in sympathy with it . One thing I do know is that any system of government that finds its roots in the laws of some mystical magical "Higher Power" or in some cult of an infalible personality or party is trouble. Doesn't matter whether it's someone's God or someone's "Dear Leader". The religious impulse is being exploited in both cases.

 

Takiji, First the flip answer. Of course you can make such a blanket statement, I just did. Now, seriously. You're right, but in this case all the evidence of my life and study has convinced me this is correct, maybe not totally, but overwhelmingly.

 

Then you would have no issue with a radical muslim group becoming the dominant power in your state, removing all previous laws and instituting their religious beliefs on you and your family.

You'd be dead... but at least your state's legislative process wasn't compromised.

 

Sure, no problem, great assessment. I guess that the Catholic church is evil, then, to have opened all of those hospitals and schools. I totally see your point now.

 

did you know that I hate Obama?

 

They to busy blowing themselves up or getting killed at a soccer game.

 

Hollysmom,

Here we are, squaring off again. I worked eight years in the surgery of a major Catholic hospital in which abortions were done daily. It was against the rules of course, but it was also a money maker so they changed the name, called them D&C's and did them anyway. I don't how many little, dismembered fetuses went out the smokestack of their holy furnace, but it was certainly in the hundreds, if not thousands. I have no particular dislike for the Catholic Church. My wife is Roman Catholic and wanted our daughter to go to Catholic school and I had no problem with that. I'm only trying to make our daughter a free thinker. I think if prayer helps you fine. We all need help. But don't start telling me about the wonderful church institutions.

 

Again with the bleak worldview. Forgive me if I don't share it?

 

I'm sorry you find it so bleak, but I think it's true. You can believe anything you care to. That's none of business. It must be working with dogs that keeps you in such fine fettle. They will put a smile in your day.