Church and State

Mixing religion and politic is dangerous it is a fact! the middle east is a good example. religions have to stay out of politics. Period!

There are people who abuse the term or concept ???freedom of religion??? without really understanding the true depth of the words involved. Lets start with the word religion. What is a religion: the belief, habit, ritual, thought, or faith? I believe all synonyms would apply to the definition of the word. Religion could be how I tie my shoes, my political ideas, my thoughts on science, or my feelings toward a particular brand name (in some cases consumerism qualify as religion). Many only argue that religion is strictly a word with a monopoly pertaining only to God or the Church. If you can make the argument that even atheistic approaches that of a religion; then one has to accept that my views on foreign policy or free trade qualify as a religion. Religion is a single or series of repeated behaviors and or thought. That is why we have a freedom of speech, privacy, and the freedom of religion within the constitution. All the concepts of the document from our revolutionary era uphold one another. They cannot exist without the other. These rights are all a form or relative or thought. They are all an attempt to protect the freedom of thought. Such wording of the constitution has to be interpreted with the full meaning of the word. For words are ideas, concepts, or theologies in and of themselves. Now think about the word freedom. I hope we all understand what freedom is. As well we should also think about what we do not have the freedom to do. There are many thoughts that are originated within Biblical religion that people do not have the right to do; consider many verses of Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Revelation, and other books of the Bible. (I would hope we all know which verses they are) We do not have a total freedom for Biblical Church based religion. If we did, we would be living in a world of chaos, torture, and general madness including witch burnings, stoning, forced conversion, or beheadings. There are concepts in the secular world that are beliefs which are illegal they are the current laws on the books. Those laws are a record of what belief or thoughts you shall not hold. So beware when Biblical religion claims they have the power, the right, or the protection to conduct their actions when in conjunction with the government. There are some who would claim that Biblical religion has the freedom of religion as to fuse with the government or take on the responsibilities/functions of government with tax dollar support. My faith-based program is the issue and unconstitutionality of faith based programs and any vicarious use of those programs for the potential of converts via the heading of people to faith based services. The Church should function independently from government at all times. This serves the society in protection of the true freedom of religion, our freedom of thought.

The term Secular has been tainted by many in the US to mean Atheism with out thinking about why government is Secular. Secular government is the removal of religion from state, the removal of religion from reason, logic, and law while respecting its existence outside of government. Secular Government protects the freedom of religion by not including it in the laws that govern the nation. Steven Waldman (speaking of faith NPR) could not be more incorrect when he mentions the founding fathers personal belief as proof that religion or the church should fuse with government. State written prayers, church/religion, or state belief systems violate the individuals right to believe as they choose. Steven Waldman should realize that a secular government keeps any singular form of religion from taking control of the government. A secular system of democracy is the cornerstone to the foundation of the amendments that allow citizens the right to believe in any or no religious system. The separation of church and state or the anti-establishment clause of the constitution allows Christian religious conservatives to practice their faith as they see fit. As well it protects the Buddhist, Hindu, or any other religion, the freedom of religion does not mean that any one religion has a right to use the state as a tool for self-advancement. The argument that the separation is a gray area is a fallacy. A nation is either secular or theocratic. There is no gray area. The separation of church and state was not intended for the flourishing of any one religion. It was intended to keep all belief free by keeping the state out or belief. There is no mention of any sectarian definition of God used in any historical document of the US, nor should there be. Waldman should remember that there was no founding faith outlined in the declaration of independence or the constitution. I would ask Waldman who???s God does it refer to? Does religion truly make for improved civic or individual behavior patterns? Some of the worst elements of society have been devoutly religious, Hitler, the BTK killer, the leaders of the Christian and Muslim crusades, the witch hunters of Europe and early America, Bin Laden, and on and on it goes. Yes there was Stalin and Poll Pot but they pale in comparison to the religious violence perpetrated over the millennia. So I would argue that the founding fathers knew history well and that is why they created a secular government even while they may have been religious themselves. It is sad that many Christians hear the term religion and think only of themselves. How greedy and self-serving. We must realize that secularism rejects religion in government while recognizing its right to exist separate from government, in the privacy of your home and places of worship. It recognizes God given rights while not recognizing any particular organized religion.

There are people who abuse the term or concept ???freedom of religion??? without really understanding the true depth of the words involved. Lets start with the word religion. What is a religion: the belief, habit, ritual, thought, or faith? I believe all synonyms would apply to the definition of the word. Religion could be how I tie my shoes, my political ideas, my thoughts on science, or my feelings toward a particular brand name (in some cases consumerism qualify as religion). Many only argue that religion is strictly a word with a monopoly pertaining only to God or the Church. If you can make the argument that even atheistic approaches that of a religion; then one has to accept that my views on foreign policy or free trade qualify as a religion. Religion is a single or series of repeated behaviors and or thought. That is why we have a freedom of speech, privacy, and the freedom of religion within the constitution. All the concepts of the document from our revolutionary era uphold one another. They cannot exist without the other. These rights are all a form or relative or thought. They are all an attempt to protect the freedom of thought. Such wording of the constitution has to be interpreted with the full meaning of the word. For words are ideas, concepts, or theologies in and of themselves. Now think about the word freedom. I hope we all understand what freedom is. As well we should also think about what we do not have the freedom to do. There are many thoughts that are originated within Biblical religion that people do not have the right to do; consider many verses of Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Revelation, and other books of the Bible. (I would hope we all know which verses they are) We do not have a total freedom for Biblical Church based religion. If we did, we would be living in a world of chaos, torture, and general madness including witch burnings, stoning, forced conversion, or beheadings. There are concepts in the secular world that are beliefs which are illegal they are the current laws on the books. Those laws are a record of what belief or thoughts you shall not hold. So beware when Biblical religion claims they have the power, the right, or the protection to conduct their actions when in conjunction with the government. There are some who would claim that Biblical religion has the freedom of religion as to fuse with the government or take on the responsibilities/functions of government with tax dollar support. My faith-based program is the issue and unconstitutionality of faith based programs and any vicarious use of those programs for the potential of converts via the heading of people to faith based services. The Church should function independently from government at all times. This serves the society in protection of the true freedom of religion, our freedom of thought.

THATS WHATS WRONG WITH THE WORLD! RELIGIOUS FANATISISM!!!

Mormons are bible thumping on this post....tsk tsk tsk. Jesus Christ has been all over this world and taught his beliefs. He taught that there should be truths, and justices for your fellow man. I dont think I recall ever hearing though that the Mormons were the ownly TRUE church on this earth. So for a church to go around twist this thought into someones head is just sick. Mitt Romney is running for Pres. not the next prophet. Any president that gets elected wont openly use his religious preferences to run the country, if so then thats where congress and other house leaders come in. JFK was highly religious and was doing a great job until he got nailed in Tex. The United States of America was built on some sort of religion, and I dont recall which religion blatantly help form the Declaration of Independence, or any of our fine documents that make our country what it is today. So I wouldnt care what religion the candidate was if I feel they could run the country fair and for the whole people then they are the right person for me.

Dear...soccerchicky? Historically, God hides marvelous, wonderful things from the wise and prudent, and reveals them unto babes. Light escapes perception in the darkness. And they who despise light have taken away, even that light which they have. "Whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John (the Baptist) came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children," (St Matthew 11:16-19). Infact, the Lord and His followers have historically been persecuted and misjudged for "there crazy behavior." I'm sorry you've had bad experiences in the past with either Mormonism or else Mormons. I am a Mormon, aka, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; from my birth I've been taught to adore and to emulate the very Messiah, who knows us both by name. I urge you to give His church a second chance, "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him...But let him ask in faith nothing wavering, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed," (James 1:5-6). "Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ," (Moroni 7:19)(The Book of Mormon). love, Conner.

This article is to mumbo jumbo for me! I feel it was to confusing to read and went no where with it's information! I am a rebublican and I feel very strongly that I will not be voting for a a president who is a Mormon. I do think he has great ideas, and plans for the future, but I cannot bring myself to vote for someone of this faith. I have first hand experience with the Mormon church and there crazy behavior. Is this going to effect his election. I believe it will.

I am tired of reading from those who are prejudice against someone just for having a belief system. America is falling apart because too many people break down those with a moral fibre in their souls. Some of the best people I've ever known were Mormons and I'd trust my life and my country in their hands any day. Plus, over half of these prejudice comments have nothing to do with being a president. Some people have a bone to pick with someone else, not Mitt Romney.

I am tired of hearing from those who are prejudice in their own way demean those with a moral conscience. The reason Mitt Romney even talks about his religion is because too many narrow minded people focus on that and don't look at anything else. I think this world is falling apart because so many people are trying to take religion out of life. I'll applaud anyone who tries to build America back up through their beliefs. Some of the best people I've ever known are Mormons and I'd love to have any of them run this country.

is the union of church and state, like what happened in the past, still possible today? how?

is the union of church and state, like those in the past, possible today?

2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

http://www.votenic.com

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Results Posted Every Tuesday Evening.

2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

http://www.votenic.com

The Only Poll That Matters
Results Posted Every Tuesday Evening.