Church?

[ridethewind]

Our constitution was based off of Christian beliefs (not denomonation specific), so it really isn't, or in my opinion, shouldn't be a surprise that religion is incorporated into our politics. What frightens me is that we're now trying to eliminate it.

There is a reason the founding fathers placed the Establishment Clause in the Constitution. They had seen first hand the difficulties caused by too much of an entanglement between government and religion. Religion and government have their proper spheres. Too much entanglement is bad, as is the complete disregard of religion. The balance struck by the founding fathers has worked well for over 200 years. I don't think it should be tampered with.

____________
Jean

[slinkedog]

I think that there is no way politics can be devoid of faith unless people of faith no longer participate in the political system. We *all* bring our morals and beliefs to the political table, and to think that, because my morals are bound up in my faith (as I believe is the case for many) that somehow makes me unfit to be involved in the political system, to me, is pretty unfair.

Editing to also say that I was reading an article that states that people of faith are the most generous when it comes to helping those in need and giving to charities. I disagree with Fox News (if that's what they say, I don't watch it) that eliminating poverty and protecting the earth are bad things. We, as Christians, are charged with making this place better. Jesus refers to the Church as the Body of Christ, i.e., we are his hands and feet and are supposed to be about the business of doing the things that he cares about. Taking care of each other *should* be high on the list! In my church, it is a priority. I realize that the church, as an institution, has not always done well in this area. I hope that we all remember that churches are filled with fallible people, who, like all of us, are still on our individual journeys to being better people. I hope that people of faith do a better job of loving people as we go forward.

[Bad JuJu]

Just a reminder that it IS possible to stand for something, even if you don't subscribe to a religion or belief in a deity. There is such a thing as morality that is not based on faith, but on something like the golden rule--do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We don't have to be threatened by divine retribution to see the rightness in living according to that rule. Just my two cents.