| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
18 Nov 2005 09:37:07 AM |
| Object: |
Candidates trying to out-God each other |
Candidates trying to out-God each other
http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/11/17/437c359609573
[excerpt]
The University of Alabama Crimson White - Tuscaloosa,AL,USA
As both candidates for the Republican nomination for governor begin to make
appearances to garner support for their campaigns, the candidacies of Roy
Moore and Bob Riley have already begun to take on religious overtones.
However, when viewing these issues, it is often difficult to see where
Christianity ends and Republican politics begin.
Recent national coverage of Roy Moore's candidacy has raised an important
question: What are the links between religion and politics both on a
national level and in Alabama?
David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department, said that in
Alabama religion and politics are closely entwined.
"You find that any serious candidate for Alabama politics is going to be a
commited Christian of some type," he said.
One of the main reasons cited for this is the state's location in what
could be the heart of the Bible Belt. Lanoue said most of the voters in the
state are Christian and conservative, and most politicians will play upon
this in order to win votes.
Billy Gray, associate director of the Tuscaloosa County Baptist
Association, said he would want somebody with faith in God to be in office
simply because the majority of America is religious.
"A person with no religious beliefs would alienate much of the population,"
he said.
He also said his beliefs affected what issues were important to him, and he
would vote for either a Democrat or Republican if he thought one was the
best man.
Frank Knast, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, said political decisions are
often a mix between religious and social beliefs.
He said his congregation was evenly split between Republican and Democrat
and warned against attempting to pigeonhole Christianity and the Republican
Party as synonymous.
"Maybe a lot of Christians are Republicans," he said. "I am not sure what
difference that makes. The perception that all Christians are Republicans
is similar to the perception that all African Americans are Democrats,
which isn't true."
Paul Peeples, pastor of Union Hill United Methodist Church, agreed with
both Gray and Knast, adding he doesn?t view himself as either Democratic or
Republican but faith plays a role in his political decisions.
"Christians need to take a stand and not back down," he said. "That's
what's wrong with the world today. We need someone who will stand up for
what is right."
William Stewart, former UA political science department chairman, said
strong beliefs, Christian or non-Christian, will inevitably play a role in
voters? decisions.
]snip]
Separatists think religions, Christian or otherwise, have absolutely no
place in government activity.
Others, such as Moore, think the constitutional clause separating church
and state is merely to prohibit a state-sponsored religion, and religious
beliefs can and do play a part in government.
However, the debate is nothing new.
"These issues did not occur overnight," Lanoue said. "The role of religion
in society was a battleground when the Constitution was framed, and it will
go on after we die."
*****************************************************************
Posting and reading from alt.politics.usa.constitution OR alt.education
You are invited to check out the following:
The Rise of the Theocratic States of America
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/theocracy.htm
American Theocrats - Past and Present
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/theocrats.htm
The Constitutional Principle: Separation of Church and State
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
[and to join the discussion group for the above site and/or Separation of
Church and State in general, listed below]
HRSepCnS Hampton Roads [Virginia] SepChurch&State
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/
[Its not just Hampton Roads folks who are members, there are members from
all over the U.S. and a couple from overseas as well]
***************************************************************
.. . . You can't understand a phrase such as "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion" by syllogistic reasoning. Words
take their meaning from social as well as textual contexts, which is why "a
page of history is worth a volume of logic." New York Trust Co. v. Eisner,
256 U.S. 345, 349, 41 S.Ct. 506, 507, 65 L.Ed. 963 (1921) (Holmes, J.).
Sherman v. Community Consol. Dist. 21, 980 F.2d 437, 445 (7th Cir. 1992)
.. . .
****************************************************************
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
****************************************************************
.
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| User: "Midjis" |
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| Title: Re: PROOF THAT LIBERALS ARE EVIL SATAN WORSHIPERS!!!!! ==> Candidates trying to out-God each other |
18 Nov 2005 11:11:44 AM |
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Harry Hope <rivrvu@IX.NETC0M.C0M> wrote:
Billy Gray, associate director of the Tuscaloosa County Baptist
Association, said he would want somebody with faith in God to be in
office simply because the majority of America is religious.
I suspect what he meant was that he would want someone who shared his
particular faith in God to be in office because HE is religious.
Would Mr Gray be happy to see an Islamic president, I wonder? They do,
after all, worship the same God.
He also said his beliefs affected what issues were important to him,
and he would vote for either a Democrat or Republican if he thought
one was the best man.
That at least is sensible. (I'll assume that by 'man' he meant 'man or
woman', and wasn't simply demonstrating another notable attitude of
fundamentalist Christians...)
Frank Knast, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, said political
decisions are often a mix between religious and social beliefs.
As it may be. But the point of a democracy is that people get to choose,
and installing a theocracy would be counter to that principle.
"Christians need to take a stand and not back down," he said. "That's
what's wrong with the world today. We need someone who will stand up
for what is right."
We do indeed. We need someone to take a stand and ensure that America
does not become a fundamentalist state.
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| User: "Gray Shockley" |
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| Title: Re: PROOF THAT LIBERALS ARE EVIL SATAN WORSHIPERS!!!!! ==> Candidates trying to out-God each other |
18 Nov 2005 05:31:51 PM |
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On Fri, 18 Nov 2005 05:11:44 -0600, Midjis wrote:
Harry Hope <rivrvu@IX.NETC0M.C0M> wrote:
Billy Gray, associate director of the Tuscaloosa County Baptist
Association, said he would want somebody with faith in God to be in
office simply because the majority of America is religious.
I suspect what he meant was that he would want someone who shared his
particular faith in God to be in office because HE is religious.
Actually, this seems to be a very strong feminist statement.
It's obvious that Billie Joe Bob would also like to see only
females in office as the majority of Americans is female.
Would Mr Gray be happy to see an Islamic president, I wonder? They do,
after all, worship the same God.
But Islam is monotheistic.
He also said his beliefs affected what issues were important to him,
and he would vote for either a Democrat or Republican if he thought
one was the best man.
That at least is sensible. (I'll assume that by 'man' he meant 'man or
woman', and wasn't simply demonstrating another notable attitude of
fundamentalist Christians...)
You mean using "best" when "he" should have used "better"?
Frank Knast, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, said political
decisions are often a mix between religious and social beliefs.
As it may be. But the point of a democracy is that people get to choose,
and installing a theocracy would be counter to that principle.
I've never noticed control freaks having a problem with destruction
and bloodshed. I call your attention to Europe of the last century.
"Christians need to take a stand and not back down," he said. "That's
what's wrong with the world today. We need someone who will stand up
for what is right."
Apparently, Franklin Mint to say that it's perfectly acceptable to
be a "Christian" as long as the religion doesn't have XP in it.
We do indeed. We need someone to take a stand and ensure that America
does not become a fundamentalist state.
Truly stated. And, since those who are trying to make their "lives
an imitation of XP", are forbidden to "take a stand":
----------------
5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy
coat, let him have thy cloak also.
5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him
twain.
5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow
of thee turn not thou away.
5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you;
5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do
not even the publicans the same?
5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than
others? do not even the publicans so?
5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.
---------------------
then those of us who are not bound by these restraints must protect
our Christian brothers' and sisters' freedoms just as we protect
our own.
It's the "right thing" to do.
Gray
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