Whose Side is God on?
I find it disturbing that both of our political parties invoke he name of God at their conventions. Not so much because I don’t buy not the god thing, but that religion and government are supposed to be separate here. All through the Republican primary race one would hear that the candidates were trying to appeal to the Christian right for their support. It is a wonderful thing to have faith, but not interject that faith into governing people who may not hold the same beliefs. It doesn't bother me that our money says "In God We Trust," after all our money is no longer backed by gold or silver, just an empty promise. I don’t even mind the "under god" part of our pledge of allegiance, though I think you should be able to substitute the deity of your choice at that point, but no god should be interjected into policy making.
I can't see god preferring Republicans over democrats anymore than I can see him taking one side or the other in a sporting event or a war, yet each side is anxious to garner this mythical being’s favor. And how does that make Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and whoever else feel? Or are we just using god as a generic term to define any omnipotent invisible power that has nothing better to do than run our daily lives and bet on which side will win the presidency?
posted by The Phosgene Kid @ 6:47 AM
17 comments
17 Comments:
We don't have a government free from religion they just can't have an official state religion.
Many Americans take their relationship with god seriously and it spills over into pretty much everything they do especially public service.
Annoying as it is to heathens like me, many Republicans ask themselves WWJD before making a policy decision.
Sometimes it works out..,sometimes it doesn't
Of course, these days most Democrats ask themselves "what would Joseph Stalin do?"
Well god is the most successful brand name known to humankind.
looking at
the way the earth,
sky, and sea are hammering
the us in the past couple of decades,
i'm beginning to wonder if god is on anyones side down there
/t.
Given your tone today, you will certainly find this site of great interest.
The things we mortals do in the name of god. God is giving us enough rope to screw ourselves up good. (English ain't all that good in that last sentence, but you get it. Don't you?)
Phos, I'm going to write you in on my ballot this November.
No comment.
Indigo Incarnates
Lemme tell ya: I have often thought YHVH is sort of a usurper. Christians and Jews always say what an awesome God that YHVH is, but I personally don't see it.
Whose Side is God on?
the lamb knows...
but she ain't talkin'...
/t.
Being in a whole 'nother country, I've not experienced this (religion hardly ever comes up in our political campaigning).
I've wondered what Americans from other religions feel about it all.
hammer: I'm still waiting for someone to demonstrate god at work, unless it he is Mars - his creations are busy killing each other off and screwing up his lovely planet.
sj: His son's birthday certainly helps the retailers out at Christmas.
/t.: I don't see any loving father in operation
JK: Checked out the site. I don't begrudge anyone their choice when it comes to religion, i fact I think it is wonderful to have faith in something.i do object to others forcing their beliefs on me through government policy or using their religious beliefs as a selling point during political contests. Does McCain's devotion to Christ make him a better choice than an agnostic, a Muslim, Jew, or Wiccan with better leadership capabilities?? I'd never force anyone to abandon their religion.
Damsel: Interested in the VP spot? Lots of hunky Secret Service dudes and I know how you go for the law enforcement type!!
LL: No worries. Having faith is great, it is your choice and it gives you a good guide through life as well as something to hold on to through rough spots. I lost there somewhere along the way, that is just how things go. Keep believing and more power to you!
indigo: As I've said before, if there is a great father someone needs to call child protective services.
I suggest you read the Bible and attend a good Soul-Winning Bible-Believing Church to get a better understanding on this matter. And suggest you read a history book not written by a leftist twerp to get a better understanding of the Founder's view on the Separation of Church and State.
Hammer is correct. The founders didn't want an offical State CHURCH at the FEDERAL level that would enjoy perks other Churches did not receive. As was the case with the C.O.E. in England.
SOME founders also didn't want Christianity to be the official RELIGION at the Federal Level.
THAT was the majority view on Church/State Separation.
The idea that a COUNTY Government couldn't put up a Cross would have been absurd to them. The idea that the TAXPAYER-PAID LEFTIST GOONS at the ACLU should SUE County Governments for doing so would have made them physically sick.
As someone who supports limited Government and STATE'S RIGHTS, you SHOULD BE on our side on this, Pho.
Been to church, been Lutheran, Catholic, and Episcopalian. The church is just another way to control people. Now that being said, the values laid down in the bible, by Buddhist teachings point to one thing, we have to take care of our fellow man. The US was established as a Christian nation. Times have changed - there are people of other beliefs who have just as much stake in this country as a Christian. It is time for us to stop being Christians, Muslims, Jews, or whatever and pull together, take care of one another reach out to our fellow man in time of need and crisis and to be Americans. The same applies to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation. It is the people that have made this country great and the divisiveness must end. Using one particular religion to sell your candidacy is a travesty and only serves to pander to the Christian right.
good for you, phos ..
Religion and politics dont mix!
Indigo Incarnates
The funny thing is that I think Christianity would be a much healthier religion if they jettisoned YHVH. Jesus is a loving deity. The Holy Spirit is a loving deity. YHVH is a genocidal mass murderer.
From the Wiccan point of view, it's okay to practice the Craft and it's also ok to NOT practice the Craft since we believe that there are plenty of ways to know Deity. It just galls me when one faith says "We're 100% right and you're 100% wrong" because it just isn't true.
right on, phos
right on, indigo
i have just one rule regarding religions: if they claim 100% right, they're wrong. period
what galls me most about most of them, including ALL of the born again bunch is their selective cherry-picking the bible to read 'their way' -- BULLSHIT
i dunno, the pagans are starting to sound most sensible to me...
/t.
Phos, thanks for your return comments. I totally agree. Believe what you will, just don't force me to have the same beliefs.
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