Posted by Derek Bell on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 16:24:41 :
In Reply to: Not exactly correct... posted by MoparNorm on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 14:12:17 :
Norm,
i'm gonna have to disagree with a couple of the things you have said.
First, the founding fathers believed in God and were religious, that is true. However, the country was not founded on a belief in God, but the belief that one had the right to choose how to worship or not to worship (along with other rights). I agree that there should be no banning of prayers in school, as long as its not a school-sponsored prayer (that would be government influencing of religion). However, how do you think people would react to Muslims kneeling and praying to the East in schools or games? Or to pagans and witches and their chantings? You have to admit it wouldn't be well received, but its their right in this country, just as its every Christian's right to pray. So you're right, the intent of the Constitution was to protect religion...ALL religion. if the government starts favoring one over the other, it has failed this aspect of the Constitution.
Second, America is not the most tolerant and forgiving society in the world. We may have been for awhile, but that time came and went long ago. Take a look at some European societies, ones that don't discriminate against the poor, gay marriage, or race, and you'll see that we have some catching up to do in the "tolerant and forgiving" category.
Just so you know, I understand that there can be passionate arguments about religion, as its importance is paramount in many people's lives. The reason i was so upset about Ray's post was his degradation of gays. The thought that they deserve to be ashamed permeates our society. There's a reason that homos*xuals have such a high suicide rate in this country: we're neither tolerant nor forgiving.
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