Counter Point: The Lesser of Two Evils
As Paul and Chris have admirably created a forum for Eco-boomer political and social commentary, I am inspired to write counter-points to their arguments, not in opposition to their validity, but to reinforce and support the ideals on which this blogg was founded by offering a counter-perspective.
Please refrain from throwing tomatoes and other virtual rotting vegetable at this article.
I think that Senator Santorum was referring to the evolution of his brain when he said that it is a theory that has holes. And has for his objections to our constitutional right to privacy, maybe he should rethink that before he goes around publicly saying he has no problem with homosexuality, just homosexual acts. Huh? He also has been public on his opinion that the scandal in the Catholic Church is a direct result of Catholics being too liberal. Huh? Santorum: a man who talks a lot but says little.
Yes, men like Senator Santorum are scary indeed. They are the fanatics that degrade and dilute the reputation of the Republican Party, and the intelligent world at large.
With that aside, here is a quick count-point that offers a different perspective on a hot topic.
Separation of Church & State: Now I as much as anyone, being a Jew working for a Jewish organization (who would have thought!), I too fear the dilution of the line between church and state. However, we may want to take a closer look before we get up in arms whenever we hear those two words in the same sentence. We need be careful of being hypocritical.
On our money, it says "in God we trust". When we swear in a new President, while his right hand is raised to the sky as he swears to uphold the Constitution of the United States, his left hand is sitting on top of the Bible. Now what dilutes the church/state line more? Giving government funds to all and any religious organizations to support community service programs, or to force all Americans to swear on a New Testament Bible?
The point I am trying to make is that when it comes to the role religion plays in our society, you have to look at it from "the lesser of two evils" standpoint. Religion should have nothing to do with American public life, but unfortunately, the two are inextricably linked: America was primarily founded on the basis of religious freedom, so in reality, we're not working to keep them separate, but to keep them from infringing on the liberties of others.
Everyone has a different opinion, but I am frightened less by a government that gives financial aid non-discriminately to a religious organization that is working towards the betterment of their community, than one that forces me to sit in court and swear on a Bible that entirely contradicts my faith.
Granted, this assumes that our government is capable of making this community service distinction clear, but I guess all we can do is have faith that our government, and our President, will uphold the Constitution and curtail its laws, programs, and federal funding to adhere to what was set forth by the Founding Fathers.
Tamar.
Please refrain from throwing tomatoes and other virtual rotting vegetable at this article.
I think that Senator Santorum was referring to the evolution of his brain when he said that it is a theory that has holes. And has for his objections to our constitutional right to privacy, maybe he should rethink that before he goes around publicly saying he has no problem with homosexuality, just homosexual acts. Huh? He also has been public on his opinion that the scandal in the Catholic Church is a direct result of Catholics being too liberal. Huh? Santorum: a man who talks a lot but says little.
Yes, men like Senator Santorum are scary indeed. They are the fanatics that degrade and dilute the reputation of the Republican Party, and the intelligent world at large.
With that aside, here is a quick count-point that offers a different perspective on a hot topic.
Separation of Church & State: Now I as much as anyone, being a Jew working for a Jewish organization (who would have thought!), I too fear the dilution of the line between church and state. However, we may want to take a closer look before we get up in arms whenever we hear those two words in the same sentence. We need be careful of being hypocritical.
On our money, it says "in God we trust". When we swear in a new President, while his right hand is raised to the sky as he swears to uphold the Constitution of the United States, his left hand is sitting on top of the Bible. Now what dilutes the church/state line more? Giving government funds to all and any religious organizations to support community service programs, or to force all Americans to swear on a New Testament Bible?
The point I am trying to make is that when it comes to the role religion plays in our society, you have to look at it from "the lesser of two evils" standpoint. Religion should have nothing to do with American public life, but unfortunately, the two are inextricably linked: America was primarily founded on the basis of religious freedom, so in reality, we're not working to keep them separate, but to keep them from infringing on the liberties of others.
Everyone has a different opinion, but I am frightened less by a government that gives financial aid non-discriminately to a religious organization that is working towards the betterment of their community, than one that forces me to sit in court and swear on a Bible that entirely contradicts my faith.
Granted, this assumes that our government is capable of making this community service distinction clear, but I guess all we can do is have faith that our government, and our President, will uphold the Constitution and curtail its laws, programs, and federal funding to adhere to what was set forth by the Founding Fathers.
Tamar.
posted by paul at 6:35 PM
1 Comments:
Main Entry: re·li·gion
def - a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
The above definition was taken from Merriam Webster Online dictionary (www.m-w.com)
Obviously, there are various other definitions of religion too.
The point I am making is this: If religion is indeed defined as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held with ardor and faith" how seperate are religion (or church, if you prefer) and state?
The U.S. seems to me to have a cause. It seems to have principles and it certainly has a system of beliefs that are held with ardor and faith. Is this the modern version of church?
I don't have the answer. I thought I would just throw it out there for thought.
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