Moore's Bill likely to Pass

[Shattered Soul]

Originally posted by xoxoxoBruce
In Jefferson's time they assumed you were a Christian or you weren't, your choice and no matter to the government. Unless you were one of them dirty heathens and the government had definite plans for you, Tonto.

While true, the words themselves, as applicable today, do not necessarily have to be taken to mean christian or non-christian. Them dirty heathens own all the casinos now, and they vote. Whether the politicians like 'em or not, they like the votes that keep them in office.

If a politician were going to use Jefferson as a reference, then to say he meant "Christian" would show a religious bias, which I don't think any politicain is on good enough footing to do. It's one thing for them to say, "I am a Christian, and proud of it." It's quite another for them to say, "I'm a Christian, and whether you are or not, we're going to make sure you have to be exposed to our religion in school, public places, and ball games (incidentally, I don't think God really cares who wins. It's my personal opinion--and I could be wrong--that ability might very well be a factor).

Church is for religion. School, work, and public places aren't. I'm not anti-religion. I just think it has it's place. If people want religion, they'll go TO it. It doesn't have to go to them. It's no big deal if you stand on the street corner and say, "I'm a christian," hand out tracts, and invite people to church. People can decline or walk away if they don't agree. They don't have that freedom at school or work.

I don't feel that my children should be taught, in school, a belief that I may not necessarily ascribe to. It is a parent's place to teach religious views, not the school (unless you send your children to a religious school, and then it's a moot point). I don't mind my child learning about a different religion, but I'd like them to have a grounding in our family's beliefs first. If they choose to change, or try something else once they're old enough to make an informed decision, more power to them.

But I digress...

The point is, government should not endorse any particular religion over another, and placing the ten commandments in public places, having children pray in school, and things of that sort, endorse a religion. The ten commandments belong in church; laws take care of that kind of thing in the governmental sector. And hell, kids already pray in school--right before tests. It doesn't have to be governmentally endorsed. Having the ten commandments in public view won't make people behave any better.

I think that's the main issue I have with this: that the government and religion are getting in bed together. They shouldn't. We all know politics and religion don't mix. Neither should endorse the other, and that's what's happening here. The government is not endorsing spirituality--all religions--it is endorsing a single religion over all others, and it's going to blow up in SOMEONE'S face.