God-O-Meter

[michaeledward]

That's a nice thought experiment; I haven't been up against it. Maybe you can give me a concrete example of where and when I must choose between God and country? I can't.

I believe I made a statement about a measure of degree ...

Most of us believe in God more than the Constitution.

You asked me to expand what I meant. I have done so with a simple question.

Whether we can imagine a concrete example of this choice, is hardly relevant to whether our fellow citizens believe more in their god than they believe in our Country and it's principles.

In another thread, you expressed disappointment that some of our fellow citizens might choose to not vote for Mr. Romney because of his religious beliefs. I would suggest that, beyond the thought experiment, Mr. Romney unwelcomeness with that part of the electorate is evidence that some persons believe more in their God, than they do in our Constitution.

Our Constitution tells us that there can be no political test, but, voters are applying such a test to Mr. Romney's candidacy. I think this demonstrates a higher degree of belief in god, over country.

 

[jks9199]

Yeah, it's my opinion that religion is just like believing in an Disney fairy tale. I don't presume to speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself. Disrespectful? Sure why not, faith and belief don't hold up in court, science, or anything outside of the believer's head. When god/gods would like to provide proof of their existence then I'll show some respect.

The disrespect is to the other person, not to a particular religion.

I never suggested you had to believe in a particular religion -- but religious tolerance does and must include respecting a person's right to believe, or not. I've not attacked either atheism or agnosticism, nor have I mocked any religion, or person who believes. I simply ask the same courtesy of those around me that I'll give them.

 

[Xue Sheng]

The phrase "Separation of church and state" exists nowhere in the United States Constitution.

Yup, knew that

It is basically a metephore that is used in reference to what one of the things the Constitution was doing. It was first used by Thomas Jefferson the history of it is here

http://www.allabouthistory.org/separation-of-church-and-state.htm

What the religious test clause means is no person can be denied employment or appointment because of his or her choice of religion, nothing more, nothing less.

Knew that too.

But it is slightly more it also means no religion required or necessary for any political office.

Also I have worked in government offices that absolutely go off the deep end if during Christmas anyone posts as decoration any sort of religious scripture based on the previous terminology of the separation of Church and State. And it got to the point of Lawyers (talk about the spirit of Christmas). I was not privy to the outcome but the religious decorations never returned.

 

[Omar B]

The disrespect is to the other person, not to a particular religion.

I never suggested you had to believe in a particular religion -- but religious tolerance does and must include respecting a person's right to believe, or not. I've not attacked either atheism or agnosticism, nor have I mocked any religion, or person who believes. I simply ask the same courtesy of those around me that I'll give them.

How you react to my opinions on religion is your business. I've got gobs of religious tolerance, in a thread about god I can totally say how I feel about the subject. Or should opinions be censored as to not offend?

Sometimes I wish a christian god did exist though, because if he did then so would Satan and Satan's pretty bad ***. If I were inclined to be religious, right after Superman I would worship Satan.