Tell me why

[fisherguy]

This is gonnna be good! Do a search of old threads and most will contain the answer to your question. The first part is that religious and non-religious people interpret your constitution differently. As to the other part....

[INHunterman]

[ QUOTE ]
This is just an observation I've made as a non-religious person. The christians in this forum (almost everybody) get into quite a stirr when somebody tries to take religion out of government (despite the constitution requiring so). Why is this? You will all agree that islam, judeism, and other such religions don't have any room in our government, but why christianity? If equality is what fuels this, then don't push for yours in it as well. I just don't understand why anybody would want something that is so controversial, contradictory, and unfair in a government that is of the people, for the people and by the people (mind you a large portion of US citizens aren't religious.) I AM NOT trying to start a fight, if somebody wants one just go to a bar. I'm simply looking for a legitimate reason that christianity should even be tollerated (let alone praised as today) in our government?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just where in the constitution does it require that religion not be in the government?

[Mathews XT Man]

Carbon; Our government was fundamentally based on Christian principals from day one, in fact the constitution whaicj govern us, was taken right out of the Bible.

[oldksnarc]

First, 84% of the people in the US do believe in God and Jesus Christ.

Second, the Constitution does say "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This means the government cannot dictate to us what religion we practice or observe. It only precludes the government from controlling that portion of our lives like the monarchy did in England. You have the right to be non-religious just like others have the right to be Christian, Muslim or whatever.

Since our founding fathers - and the majority of the people who founded and settled this land - were Christian, Christianity prevails throughout our history and the doctrines adopted in our creation as a sovreign nation. Had America been founded by Muslims or Buddhists we would be practicing one of those religions by default.

Since this was a country settled and founded by Christians, Christianity is our religion. We don’t say those who come here have to worship and believe as we do. But, don’t make us turn away from our beliefs because you or they don’t agree or your religion is different. If it’s a sticking point for anyone desiring to come here – don’t come. We shouldn’t have to sway to you or them.

Our traditions are ours and theirs are theirs. We don’t make them quit practicing theirs, i.e. Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Cinco de Mayo, and so forth. They shouldn’t make us stop practicing ours just so we don’t offend. We can’t be all things to all men.

Finally, how many of you non-believers or believers of other religions exchange Christmas gifts or take the day(s) off for our religious holidays when you are so opposed to it being forced on you. Don’t observe it if you don’t want; don’t exchange gifts; don’t listen to the songs; go to work.

[LifeNRA]

Who cares! You do your thing! Ill do mine! As long as it doesnt break the law, who cares! Weather you believe or not!

[TreeStandBowHunter]

I am not a real religios person either but this country was founded on Christian beliefs if I am not mistaken. I can't stand the fact that the lesser percentage of "non" believers are having our way of life changed because it offends them. What makes it even worse is the fact that Muslims and Arabs are coming over here crying about things that offend them.

[ QUOTE ]
Dennslf, I'm not even sure what to make of what you wrote, edit some of the sentence stucture so that is understandable

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that was a little childish if you ask me. What's not to understand what he wronte

[dg]

[ QUOTE ]
You will all agree that islam, judeism, and other such religions don't have any room in our government, but why christianity?

[/ QUOTE ]

Why doesn't islam, judeism, and other such religions have any room in our govt? <fishing for an answer here pro and con>

[Jimfrompa]

[ QUOTE ]
Hunterman "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,"

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just thought the whole first amendment should be stated. To keep it in context. It just seems to me that this means no laws should be made concerning establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. To me that means that the Congress should keep out of it all togather. And the Will of the majority will prevail." Make no laws" Thats why Christians must try to protect what this country stands for and not let it be hijacked by a few people who do not want any one telling them that they could be wrong. That there is a right and a wrong. Not what ever feels good to me today. If you listen to the still small voice that tells you what is right. and not the feelings that tell you what feels good you can not help but know the truth.

[slugshooter]

One thing I find interesting when this subject is debated is how often percentages are tossed around like they mean something. 85% of Americans believe in God, or was it 75%, or is it higher or lower. A belief in God does not translate into Christianity, if 75% of US Citizens believed in God and Jesus Christ and actually lived it, there would be a lot less problems right now and the churches would be filled to capacity and overflowing. There are probably over 100 churches in Fayetteville, NC and not one is filled to capacity on Sunday morning.

The US Constitution is also not set up to protect the majority, it is set up to protect the minority from losing their rights against the majority. One thing that I never hear mentioned as far as the constitution is concerned, everyone wants to bring up the first amendment, I particularly find interesting Article 6, the last paragraph to be exact, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

[buckee]

[ QUOTE ]
One thing I find interesting when this subject is debated is how often percentages are tossed around like they mean something. 85% of Americans believe in God, or was it 75%, or is it higher or lower. A belief in God does not translate into Christianity, if 75% of US Citizens believed in God and Jesus Christ and actually lived it, there would be a lot less problems right now and the churches would be filled to capacity and overflowing. There are probably over 100 churches in Fayetteville, NC and not one is filled to capacity on Sunday morning.


[/ QUOTE ]
Very good point Marc. It's sad really

[ QUOTE ]
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

[/ QUOTE ]
That's not to say the voters can't put them to the test though.

[jdickey]

When the founding fathers began establishing the "laws of the land" for this country, they used as their model what is generally referred to as the "English Common Law". Much of this same ideology was used to form the Constitution, but with a forethought by including the method of changing the Constitution by passing amendments.

The Constitution EQUALLY protects the rights of those who do and do not practice a religion. Christians are the "vocal majority" as far as a religion in this country; but there are those that advocate that the Bible is nothing but a book of Jewish fairy tales. But, both ideologies are protected equally by the Constitution.

Since most hold that this country had been founded upon Christian ideals, the outcry when those beliefs are eroded or removed is understandable.

[stevebeilgard]

our country is based on the judeo/christian phylosophy. while i believe that most americans believe in god, or a superio being, that does not mean they go to church. i know may folks who believe in god, but not an established religion. can a person pray at home, and worship god in his own way, without being a member of a local church??? i believe they can.

i believe you set an erroneous premis with your stateent that judeo, muslims, etc don't have equal rights in our government. only christians do. i believe that is wrong. all our constitution says is that the government will not establish a religion. remember, the brittish government set the anglican religion as the religion of that country. those who fled to america wanted to worship the religion of their choice, not the government's. so, freedom to choose is the basis of our constitution. and the right to choose. if you want to be a muslim, or jew, or catholic, fine. just don't tell me what to do.

[oldksnarc]

The point was that the United States of America was founded and created by people who believed in Christianity. A Christian cannot got to a Muslim predominate state/country and expect them to ignore their religion in deferrence to my religion. The same with other religions coming here. I shouldn't have to abrogate my beliefs or observances for the sake of yours.

The government is precluded from saying everyone living in the US will be and observe Christain beliefs. However, it is also precluded from saying I can't observe and practice my beliefs because it might offend someone. And that's what is has come to - to appease the minority the majority has to turn its head to what they believe? I don't think so.

[Southern_man]

What does being "religious" mean??? Being religious don't get you to heaven. Accepting Christ as your savior and having a personal relationship with him is what gets you to heaven.

I've never understood what being "religious" really meant??? Another question to add to the discussion.

[EKYhunter]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You will all agree that islam, judeism, and other such religions don't have any room in our government, but why christianity?

[/ QUOTE ]

Why doesn't islam, judeism, and other such religions have any room in our govt? <fishing for an answer here pro and con>

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll tell you why. This country was founded on Christian beliefs and principals. Many of our forefathers from England left that country because of religious persecution. They did not want to come to the "New world" to worship allah or buda as they saw fit, no they wanted to worship the Lord Jesus Christ as they saw fit! The reason we have separation of Church and State in this country is because the monarchy was the head of the church in England which led to numerous problems and persecution. I don't know why that is so hard to understand. Do any of us think that the founding fathers would object to the ten commandments being posted in a school, a courthouse, or any other building? While I'm talking about the founding fathers, I wonder how they would feel about a "religion" that taught that if you kill innocent women and children you went to heaven where a number of virgins were waiting for you? Oh I'm sure they would love it don't you? Or how about a religion that taught that we come back as a dog or a cat after we die? Do we think they would approve of such beliefs? These are the same men who understood how important it was for each man to own a fiream to protect his family and his country! I know these men were not perfect and had many faults as we all do but they unserstood that Christian morals and principals were needed not only to form a socitey but to hold it together as well! Our great country has been blessed down through the years because, on the whole, we are a nation that fears God and keeps his commandments! Sometimes I think we outsmart ourselves by saying "One religion is as good as another" or "what does it matter what a man believes" We'll the founders knew what to believe and based the greatest country that this world has ever known on the teachings of God and the Lord Jesus Christ!