...the freedom to express one's own faith and not have it dictated
is as essential to the idea of religion as it is to the design of freedom. _mrp
I haven't an iota of a smidgen of a problem with anyone who chooses to believe in anything, God, Buddha, Allah, etc, but when it, organized religion (or anything else) drags everything, including the kitchen sink, into the hole with it, I've got a problem.
It's not a matter of who is right when it comes to the existence of God or Allah or Yahweh, etc, it's a matter of what's in the best interests of the Republic, for we are, essentially, speaking of its survival.
The separation of Church and State, or however you want to phrase it, needs to be held sacred. No. Not the novel idea of it, or either’s right to exist, for the freedom to express one's own faith and not have it dictated is as essential to the idea of religion as it is to the design of freedom.
I am comfortable saying there is a higher power, something greater than myself.
I am comfortable having a debate about political parties and their ideology, it’s when one uses that belief or faith as their guide, yet fail to reconcile with the “Thou Shalt Not Kill” principle, that I find there to be a problem.
And what of Jesus and his directives?
"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Again and again, Jesus asked us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was a succinct set of “spiritual” principals and way of life based upon the love, compassion, tolerance, and strong belief in the importance of giving and generosity to those in need.
I’m not a Christian, I know many, but I am not one of the flock, so to speak, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect their opinion or belief, it just means that when it comes to faith, I’ve more in man than man has in himself.
Hypocrisy is one of the most horrible traits in man…
If you support a candidate who is pro-death penalty, you’re going against his words.
If you support a candidate whose pockets are lined with corporate money, you’re going against what Jesus asked of you.
If you choose a pro-war candidate, you’re not representing what Jesus would have you do.
If you choose a man or woman of faith to lead you in this Republic, Jesus would only approve if that man or woman adheres faithfully to his stated principles.
The same can be said for anyone seeking office that doesn’t hold peace, the ultimate goodness, as his or her number one driving principle.
There are many reasons to use one’s faith, if one thinks it appropriate, as a guide for your conscience, but if one is going to use it as a conduit for their vote, then one must, or should at least use those principles to judge all candidates on their merits, not just those who fit a certain ideological stripe.
With that, let me just add, that we can all believe or not believe in anything, it is our choice, we have that fundamental freedom, maybe the only freedom we can truly say is ours to hold (forever), not a principle of only the United States, but one of mankind.
There is room for everyone at the table, we just need a few more chairs so we can all sit and be at peace with one another.
It's not a matter of who is right when it comes to the existence of God or Allah or Yahweh, etc, it's a matter of what's in the best interests of the Republic, for we are, essentially, speaking of its survival.
The separation of Church and State, or however you want to phrase it, needs to be held sacred. No. Not the novel idea of it, or either’s right to exist, for the freedom to express one's own faith and not have it dictated is as essential to the idea of religion as it is to the design of freedom.
I am comfortable saying there is a higher power, something greater than myself.
I am comfortable having a debate about political parties and their ideology, it’s when one uses that belief or faith as their guide, yet fail to reconcile with the “Thou Shalt Not Kill” principle, that I find there to be a problem.
And what of Jesus and his directives?
"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Again and again, Jesus asked us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was a succinct set of “spiritual” principals and way of life based upon the love, compassion, tolerance, and strong belief in the importance of giving and generosity to those in need.
I’m not a Christian, I know many, but I am not one of the flock, so to speak, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect their opinion or belief, it just means that when it comes to faith, I’ve more in man than man has in himself.
Hypocrisy is one of the most horrible traits in man…
If you support a candidate who is pro-death penalty, you’re going against his words.
If you support a candidate whose pockets are lined with corporate money, you’re going against what Jesus asked of you.
If you choose a pro-war candidate, you’re not representing what Jesus would have you do.
If you choose a man or woman of faith to lead you in this Republic, Jesus would only approve if that man or woman adheres faithfully to his stated principles.
The same can be said for anyone seeking office that doesn’t hold peace, the ultimate goodness, as his or her number one driving principle.
There are many reasons to use one’s faith, if one thinks it appropriate, as a guide for your conscience, but if one is going to use it as a conduit for their vote, then one must, or should at least use those principles to judge all candidates on their merits, not just those who fit a certain ideological stripe.
With that, let me just add, that we can all believe or not believe in anything, it is our choice, we have that fundamental freedom, maybe the only freedom we can truly say is ours to hold (forever), not a principle of only the United States, but one of mankind.
There is room for everyone at the table, we just need a few more chairs so we can all sit and be at peace with one another.
© 2010 by mark prime
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