justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/05/16 at 21:29:59:


That would be the thousandth time...
Read it yourself...  and do it without Alex Jones, Noorey, or Beck, flapping their gums...

In, the separation of church and state... you would separate them, on one side,... while leaving anyone else on the other?...
Surely, as the founders intended...

I believe in the right of others to believe exactly as I do...    

I'm not going to go down the rabbit hole of what the Founders intended except to mention that Christianity was more or less the status quo, even in that day. Getting away from the Church of England and its government-sanctioned (i.e. FORCED-- "my way or the stake-- [cough]--errr--highway") religion was the very reason for some of the most famous early migrations to the New World. It wasn't to get away from religion either, and not all of the groups learned their lesson about the government meddling with religion. In fact, the Puritans had their own form of government-mandated religion, and we all know what happened there.   [cough] Salem [cough].

What is most important is our liberty. If the majority of residents in a small town are religious/conservative people, and they want a school Christmas play with their own tax dollars, why should the atheist minority care? Does it hurt them? Does it poison their children? Aren't atheists supposed to be the more learned, open-minded people? If a kid wants to read the Bible in class as opposed to any other form of distraction, why should anyone care? If a teacher decides to accommodate to the religious students by giving them a moment of silence, who cares? If we wish to say "under God" in the Pledge, then who cares? Does it really frustrate the atheists that much, especially if it's optional?

Be fair to people, let them practice their religion--or lack thereof-- in the most fair, respectful manner possible, even in the most public, tax funded of places and offices, and LEAVE THEM ALONE.

Maybe a better point to make is that people should practice not giving a rip either way.  

Who was what, what you are, none of it matters.
The points I've made are being ignored...
Or, maybe just not understood?

Don is a wuss, huh? Would you sit there with Fox News and take it, or would you tell them to screw themselves? Which is more cowardly, taking the abuse, or bucking the system? Which takes more balls?

Serowbot wrote on 02/06/16 at 17:30:20:


Since you say that, I understand why there would be a problem. I would be concerned myself. If the school or other public setting consisted primarily of those other religions, it might work, but, in a conservative Christian community, a lot of people would be upset. They would be alarmed because they believe that their nation will receive the curse of God if it's not Christian, and they are afraid of the other religion potentially poisoning their children's minds. Religions tend to oppose each other you know. They are afraid of the spiritual significance of messing with other religions and want nothing to do with them. Some (perhaps not all) of these other religions feel the same way about Christianity. If it were a Muslim event in a conservative Christian community, there could be rioting in the streets. You know Islam gets a bad rap from those ISIS nuts--A lot of mistrust there--can you blame them?

And, as far as Satanists are concerned, who likes them anyway? They do follow Satan for crying out loud!   Of course, if you don't give them what they want, they might cast a spell on you or worse.... I won't say it... too nasty.

cheapnewb24 wrote on 02/06/16 at 21:50:59:


I believe, the purpose of separating church, from state,... is for the very reason you outline, above...
Not to protect the majority,... but the minority from persecution by the majority...

Imagine,... if you were in a state, or township, where the majority was Muslim... and wanted you to stop and kneel, 5 times a day,... or for your wife to wear a burka, ... or forbid you from having a plastic Jesus on your dashboard...
Whatever...  we just don't want any majority, of any influence of faith, dictating what we should do, believe, or bow to...

It protects your right, to be a weirdo, among the masses.

We're all a little weird,.. in one way or another...

The separation,.. is to protect the minority, not the majority.
This is nature of all rights...
The Bill of Rights, protects individual freedoms over the rule of the majority...