Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 04:38 AM Jun 2014

Why Do Right-Wing Christians Think "Religious Freedom" Means Forcing Their Faith on You?

http://www.alternet.org/belief/why-do-right-wing-christians-think-religious-freedom-means-forcing-their-faith-you


Paul Clement, a lawyer arguing for Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood, speaks to the press outside the US Supreme Court on March 25, 2014 in Washington

Religious freedom: It’s one of the most fundamental American values, written directly into the First Amendment of the Constitution. Of course, true religious freedom requires a secular society, where government stays out of the religion game and leaves it strictly to individual conscience, a standard that runs directly against the modern conservative insistence that America is and should be a “Christian nation”. So what are people who claim to be patriots standing up for American values to do? Increasingly, the solution on the right is to redefine “religious freedom” so that it means, well, its exact opposite. “Religious freedom” has turned into conservative code for imposing the Christian faith on the non-believers.

While it seems like a leap even for the most delusional conservatives to believe that their religious freedom can only be protected by giving Christians broad power to force their faith on others, a new report from the People For the American Way shows how the narrative is constructed. The report shows that Christian conservative circles have become awash in legends of being persecuted for their faith, stories that invariably turn out to be nonsense but that “serve to bolster a larger story, that of a majority religious group in American society becoming a persecuted minority, driven underground in its own country.” This sense of persecution, in turn, gives them justification to push their actual agenda of religious repression under the guise that they’re just protecting themselves.

The most obvious and persistent example of this is the issue of creationism in the classroom. Clearly, teaching creationism in a biology classroom is a straightforward violation of the First Amendment, a direct attempt to use taxpayer money to foist a very specific religious teaching on captive students. So what the right does is reframe the issue, arguing that teaching evolutionary theory is a form of religious oppression, a direct attack on the beliefs of fundamentalists in the classroom. This is pure hooey, of course, since evolutionary theory is not a religion but a scientific reality, and teaching science as science is no more a violation of religious freedom than teaching kids to that “cat” rhymes with “hat” is an imposition of religion. But once they’ve convinced themselves that learning science in the science classroom is religious persecution, than it becomes easier to convince yourself that it’s okay to “fight back” by forcing your actual religion on everyone else.

You can see this play out in the legends that PFAW details out. Do Christian conservatives want to force their religious hostility to gays onto the military? Tell a lie about how a sergeant was persecuted for simply holding that religious belief to paint yourself as the “real” victim. Want to justify forcing non-believing kids to pray to your god in school? Tell lies about how kids are being punished for having private prayers all to themselves. Want to force people in the VA hospital to sing your religious songs and worship your god? Spread a false tale claiming that people aren’t allowed private ownership of religious cards. Tell enough of these stories and people on the right can convince themselves the only way they can protect their own right to worship is to force their religious practice on everyone else.
66 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why Do Right-Wing Christians Think "Religious Freedom" Means Forcing Their Faith on You? (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP
Because they're jerkoffs Populist_Prole Jun 2014 #1
+100 freshwest Jun 2014 #24
It reminds me of this. Unknown Beatle Jun 2014 #59
True enough Populist_Prole Jun 2014 #62
A perversion wrapped in the cloak of bigotry, hate, and oppression. obxhead Jun 2014 #2
Freedom of religion necessarily includes Freedom from religion. retired rooster Jun 2014 #13
retired rooster? This old broad of a deep blue Dem agrees 100%. Thank you. raven mad Jun 2014 #53
It goes back to the notion that the Pilgrims fled to the US hedgehog Jun 2014 #3
Pilgrims v Puritans proReality Jun 2014 #19
I wish all their boats had sunk halfway across the pond. Arugula Latte Jun 2014 #58
Evolution in church Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2014 #4
Because if the Coyote looks down and realizes there's no cliff under him, he falls. Warren DeMontague Jun 2014 #5
LOL...So true!!! nt The Road Runner Jun 2014 #32
+2 nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #49
It's the same for any "fundamentalist" The Traveler Jun 2014 #6
Well said! Take away the labels and they are all the same despite location and religion. It's all RKP5637 Jun 2014 #27
41,000 Christian sects in the world today (Wikipedia) safeinOhio Jun 2014 #7
Religion, one of the most dangerous inventions of mankind. n/t RKP5637 Jun 2014 #28
They want it all Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2014 #8
Quoting Joshua Cartoonist Jun 2014 #45
In many religions anyone who does not believe as they do are is wrong, it is taught in churches. Thinkingabout Jun 2014 #9
It's bizarre Cosmocat Jun 2014 #11
You probably listened very well, I left the SBC because i felt uncomfortable with the Thinkingabout Jun 2014 #36
... because most can not think for themselves, they are just blind followers and parrots spouting RKP5637 Jun 2014 #30
Just as prejudices have survived for eons i think it is what they want to believe Thinkingabout Jun 2014 #35
Doublethink is a requirement for conservative "thought" in America today Martin Eden Jun 2014 #10
And, it isn't going to get any better Cosmocat Jun 2014 #12
Time **might** be on our side Martin Eden Jun 2014 #37
If we don't let them impose their religious beliefs on all of us then we are persecuting them. stillwaiting Jun 2014 #14
The word you seek is Talibornagain. nt HooptieWagon Jun 2014 #29
Actually, it goes further than that, it is likely a brain function. RKP5637 Jun 2014 #31
"Persecuted," my ass. AngryOldDem Jun 2014 #15
Because proselytizing is what many faithful adherents to religion do. WinkyDink Jun 2014 #16
A Persecution Complex RadicalGeek Jun 2014 #17
The essence of many religions is control. merrily Jun 2014 #18
Forcing their religious beliefs on others is their religion. another_liberal Jun 2014 #20
They certainly surround themselves with a lot of militarization. Often their slogans, RKP5637 Jun 2014 #33
Onward Christian Soldiers ... Yep! They'd burn homosexuals at the stake if they could. YOHABLO Jun 2014 #38
As a youth,most of the activities I saw with the faithful were violence, racism, hatred and bigotry. RKP5637 Jun 2014 #44
American Christian... sendero Jun 2014 #21
^^ This justiceischeap Jun 2014 #22
THIS ^^^ n/t RKP5637 Jun 2014 #34
Everything? Remember when he cussed out a fig tree for not fruiting out of season? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2014 #48
+1 nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #50
To them 'religious freedom' means freedom to be a right wing Christian ck4829 Jun 2014 #23
Because they mistakenly & ignorantly believe that this country was founded on Christian principles. CrispyQ Jun 2014 #25
They believe to be free you must submit liberal N proud Jun 2014 #26
Just like their adherence to Biblical Scripture. It's the word of ''God'' word for word and must be YOHABLO Jun 2014 #39
When convenient liberal N proud Jun 2014 #65
Why do left wing Christians such as myself have to put up with LW1977 Jun 2014 #40
why are you so threatened by what they think? Skittles Jun 2014 #43
Because bigotry respects no political, racial, or religious boundaries. Psephos Jun 2014 #60
The proselytizing is called "The Great Commission". Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2014 #41
Tell them you're a Calvinist XemaSab Jun 2014 #55
The puppeteers have a fascist agenda. The foot soldiers have cartoon brains. nt valerief Jun 2014 #42
recovering fundie mississippi62 Jun 2014 #46
They don't care about YOUR freedom. They want the freedom to bring back the Inquisition. tclambert Jun 2014 #47
Because that is how the scum of the earth think. Lint Head Jun 2014 #51
Belief requires consensus Warpy Jun 2014 #52
I still appreciate, and always will, my brother's reply to a RW "evangelist" circa 1970...... raven mad Jun 2014 #54
If they can't force their religion on you, then their other strategy is bullying and name calling.. Tikki Jun 2014 #56
It is outrageous that we try to enforce secularism abroad when nation-building... EEO Jun 2014 #57
Obama, in his Prayer Breakfast speech, claimed that religion is "under attack," and that weaponizing blkmusclmachine Jun 2014 #64
Not good. There is rarely to never a secular option. EEO Jun 2014 #66
Because they think the current Supreme Court will support them on this. Kablooie Jun 2014 #61
Because if they can force their beliefs into your life..... DeSwiss Jun 2014 #63

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
1. Because they're jerkoffs
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 05:05 AM
Jun 2014

Religion's role vis a vis ideology:

Non-conservative christian = Private personal belief that bring them comfort

Conservative christian = Tribalistic sword used against anyone to the left of them. "Christian" is just a more respectable ( in their minds ) way of saying "fuck you".

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
62. True enough
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 03:28 AM
Jun 2014

The reality of that adage is bad enough. Seeing Palin as its standard bearer ( even in jest ) is more than than I can bear.

 

obxhead

(8,434 posts)
2. A perversion wrapped in the cloak of bigotry, hate, and oppression.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 05:52 AM
Jun 2014

This really could be a great country, if we would just cast away Christian fundamentalists.

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
3. It goes back to the notion that the Pilgrims fled to the US
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 05:58 AM
Jun 2014

to practice their Bible based Christian faith. For the Right Wing then, Freedom of Worship =Freedom to Worship the God of a Bible based faith. The development of small communities in which everyone followed a Bible based faith reinforced this belief. After all, school days began with a Bible reading and/or prayer. It was the 'Mericun Way!There were many, many small communities with no Catholics, let alone people of other faiths, agnostics and atheists.

The real irony here is that if you follow what became of the Pilgrims' Church, it developed into the United Church of Christ, one of the more liberal set of Christian, and the Unitarians! (gasp!)

proReality

(1,628 posts)
19. Pilgrims v Puritans
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:38 AM
Jun 2014

The Pilgrims practiced a democratic-like form of community, with leaders and members being equal. They were the working class.

The Puritans (who arrived decades later) were from a wealthier class, far more authoritarian and believed leaders had a divine right to rule...today's fundamentalists.

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
58. I wish all their boats had sunk halfway across the pond.
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 02:16 AM
Jun 2014

Effing Puritans. What a mess they've left.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
5. Because if the Coyote looks down and realizes there's no cliff under him, he falls.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:08 AM
Jun 2014


That's about as close to a logical explanation as I can come up with.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
49. +2
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 12:06 AM
Jun 2014

They're afraid of what they may very well know deep down - that their "faith" amounts to nothing more than thin air.

 

The Traveler

(5,632 posts)
6. It's the same for any "fundamentalist"
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:17 AM
Jun 2014

Buddhist fundamentalists have operated pogroms against Muslim minorities, and very recently. (How ironic is that?)

We all know about Muslim fundamentalists ... our press insures we hear about that every day.

It should come as no surprise that Christian fundamentalists are similarly inclined.

When examined in detail, there really is little room in the teachings of Jesus or of Buddha for such behaviors. I note that Christian fundamentalists are much more prone to quote Saint Paul than the Nazarene himself ... I therefore sometimes am tempted to label them "Paulists". There is probably someone in Buddhist tradition that played a similar bastardizing and organizing role, but I can't identify that person. Even early Islamic teaching held that Islam was just the "best approach" to relationship with the Divinity, and not the only one.

So I am not sure we can blame these religions specifically for the problem. There are some people who are attracted to <insert relgion here> fundamentalism. Their psyches need that ramp up for some reason. Perhaps it is as simple as that fundamentalism gives them license to focus on the behaviors and beliefs of others, thereby allowing them to escape responsibility for their own spiritual and/or emotional growth and intellectual development.

The Islamic world was the center of intellectual development for a long time. Centuries ago, they gave us algebra and astronomy, for example. They were artisans and artists of the highest order. They could have done much more, but fundamentalists shut that down.

Now, we in America face our own fundamentalists who want to shut down science education and the arts because they perceive it as a threat to their authority. I guess we could acquiesce ... I would prefer not.

Trav


RKP5637

(67,105 posts)
27. Well said! Take away the labels and they are all the same despite location and religion. It's all
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:11 AM
Jun 2014

the same, all cut from the same piece of cloth. Some love repression, persecution and brutality toward others, as well as being control freaks.

safeinOhio

(32,674 posts)
7. 41,000 Christian sects in the world today (Wikipedia)
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:21 AM
Jun 2014

and each one has a different slant on the Bible and most think every other one's reading is wrong and most think they'll burn in hell.

The next step is to make this a country based, only on their own sect, follow their Christian interpretation. From there it moves to wars between the denominations, like Iraq and Ireland.

The founding fathers had it right.

Cartoonist

(7,316 posts)
45. Quoting Joshua
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:42 PM
Jun 2014

That drew a hearty laugh from me. Joshua is what they used to condemn Copernicus for saying the Earth orbited the Sun. Joshua, or somebody, caused the Sun to halt in the sky. That proves the Sun orbits the Earth.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
9. In many religions anyone who does not believe as they do are is wrong, it is taught in churches.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:57 AM
Jun 2014

What I do not understand is the bible which they are using to hate others is the same bible in which Jesus teaches to love all, now how do they hate, it is wrong by the bible they preach hate.

Cosmocat

(14,564 posts)
11. It's bizarre
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:10 AM
Jun 2014

95% of what they scream about runs counter to what I was taught about Christianity in my youth in the 70s ...

The Christian Coalition thing in the 80s has REALLY, REALLY ramped up this perversion.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
36. You probably listened very well, I left the SBC because i felt uncomfortable with the
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 12:00 PM
Jun 2014

Hate, I choose not to listen to the ugly.

RKP5637

(67,105 posts)
30. ... because most can not think for themselves, they are just blind followers and parrots spouting
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:16 AM
Jun 2014

the crap that just flows out of their mouths. They are fodder for propaganda and manipulation ... which makes them so dangerous.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
35. Just as prejudices have survived for eons i think it is what they want to believe
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:54 AM
Jun 2014

so therefore they do. Some have been evolving and I hope for more.

Martin Eden

(12,864 posts)
10. Doublethink is a requirement for conservative "thought" in America today
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:05 AM
Jun 2014

War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength

Cosmocat

(14,564 posts)
12. And, it isn't going to get any better
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:15 AM
Jun 2014

I have seen this double think mentality grow exponentially over the last quarter century ...

Basically, the more affluent our lifestyle, the more frivolous our concern about our public domain and the more 1) People tune out and just stay involved in their own lives 2) The more people buy the bullshit the right wing throws out.

Honestly, most of the people my age that I know don't have any time whatsoever for the gay bashing and a lot of the other social issues, but they absolutely believe in the evil liberal boogyman, the PC police bullshit and big spending liberal thing.

It is a losing battle, seriously. The right wing is wrong almost literally on EVERY issue, but they scream so loud and relentlessly and target the most basic and primal aspects of the human spirit so effectively, they can break elections past the 50/50 point most often.

Martin Eden

(12,864 posts)
37. Time **might** be on our side
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 01:07 PM
Jun 2014

The Faux News Teaparty base is old and dying off, while many young people are cutting their political teeth on John Stewart.

Things will only get worse if we lose the hearts and minds of youth.

stillwaiting

(3,795 posts)
14. If we don't let them impose their religious beliefs on all of us then we are persecuting them.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:25 AM
Jun 2014

It's absolutely crazy-think.

They are nuts, and a new word needs to be created to fully explain the extent of their selfishness and self-centered world view.

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
15. "Persecuted," my ass.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:26 AM
Jun 2014

They've been ramming their agendas down our throats since the Reagan administration, if not before.

RadicalGeek

(344 posts)
17. A Persecution Complex
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:35 AM
Jun 2014

Perhaps from the days when Christians DID suffer prosecution?

But they don't realize that THEIR "Freedom" may infringe on another's; a woman for example.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
18. The essence of many religions is control.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:36 AM
Jun 2014

If you do XYZ, you are making God sad and/or angry. So stop.

So, if they aren't free to control our behavior by making their particular view of the Bible the law of the land, they aren't free to practice every single aspect of their religion.

As far as separation of church and state being required, they have elaborate arguments about that, including, but not limited to, God (and the Framers) intended this to be a Christian nation. The most liberal version I've heard of that is "The Framers intended this to be a God-fearing nation."

Of course, by "God," they mean the God of the Bible, inasmuch as they don't believe Allah is simply the Arabic word for God, used by Arab Christians and Arab Muslims and Arab Jews--all Arabic speaking people-- alike, that narrows it down to Christians and Jews. (Of course, if it ever got down to that, they'd probably find some way to decide it should only be Christians.)

 

another_liberal

(8,821 posts)
20. Forcing their religious beliefs on others is their religion.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:41 AM
Jun 2014

"Right-Wing Christians Think 'Religious Freedom' Means Forcing Their Faith," on others, because forcing their religious beliefs on others is their religion.

RKP5637

(67,105 posts)
33. They certainly surround themselves with a lot of militarization. Often their slogans,
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:24 AM
Jun 2014

hymns and names of churches sound more like a military invasion. ... and that is laced with hatred and persecution. The personality types during the inquisitions, for example, are still here today, they never went away, given a chance they would rise again and history would repeat.

RKP5637

(67,105 posts)
44. As a youth,most of the activities I saw with the faithful were violence, racism, hatred and bigotry.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:27 PM
Jun 2014

sendero

(28,552 posts)
21. American Christian...
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 07:52 AM
Jun 2014

... a person who claims to believe in the teachings of Jesus, but spends most of their time and energy ignoring everything he said in favor of their own personal concerns (gays and abortion) of which he said nothing.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
22. ^^ This
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 08:00 AM
Jun 2014

though I will add the caveat "some" American Christian's so as not to piss off the liberal Christians of DU.

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
48. Everything? Remember when he cussed out a fig tree for not fruiting out of season?
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 12:04 AM
Jun 2014

Or when he condemned entire cities to hell when they didn't like his preaching? Etc.

Lots of cruel stuff he allegedly said that isn't very christlike. But then there is no historical evidence that he was a real person.

He did indeed say nothing about gays and abortion.

I wonder if some liberal, when they hear an anti-homosexual rant, will start talking about how much David and Jonathan loved each other.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
50. +1
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 12:23 AM
Jun 2014

"I wonder if some liberal, when they hear an anti-homosexual rant, will start talking about how much David and Jonathan loved each other."

The stupid right-wing prick's head would probably explode from the cognitive dissonance.

CrispyQ

(36,460 posts)
25. Because they mistakenly & ignorantly believe that this country was founded on Christian principles.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:06 AM
Jun 2014

Good luck trying to tell them otherwise. They won't listen.

liberal N proud

(60,334 posts)
26. They believe to be free you must submit
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:11 AM
Jun 2014

But mostly it is because they are closed-minded.

They see their way as the only way and will not permit differences.

 

YOHABLO

(7,358 posts)
39. Just like their adherence to Biblical Scripture. It's the word of ''God'' word for word and must be
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 10:08 PM
Jun 2014

O B E Y E D !!

LW1977

(1,234 posts)
40. Why do left wing Christians such as myself have to put up with
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 10:31 PM
Jun 2014

putdowns, being called "weak minded", and "blind followers" by a very vocal group of atheists who are just as bad as Pat Robertson, The late Reverened Jerry Three-Chinned Falwell and other blasphemous right wingers? Why is it be so damn black and white here when it comes faith and political leanings?

Skittles

(153,150 posts)
43. why are you so threatened by what they think?
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:26 PM
Jun 2014

let me know when they have as much destructive influence as does organized religion

Psephos

(8,032 posts)
60. Because bigotry respects no political, racial, or religious boundaries.
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 02:32 AM
Jun 2014

It's a universal affliction of humankind, best and first described by Eibl-Eibesfeldt in Love and Hate as a genetic drive to carve up the world into "us" and "them." We are blindly loyal to whatever group represents "us" and hateful/fearful of the group representing "them." Views and beliefs are minor influences compared to this drive, but they serve as essential fig leaves that people defend viciously as the "reason" for their emotion.

In human tribal prehistory, this trait conferred a critical survival advantage. In the era of industrialized war, WMD, and political economy, it's only a matter of time before it leads to self-immolation.

Remember, the most certain marker of a bigot is her/his outrage at someone pointing out that s/he is a bigot. That also earns you instant status as one of whom they consider "them," served with all the trimmings.

 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
41. The proselytizing is called "The Great Commission".
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 10:33 PM
Jun 2014

It's part of Christian doctrine.

Besides the fact that they're obnoxious about it. I've been told I'm going to hell and I "need to have faith".

mississippi62

(75 posts)
46. recovering fundie
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:55 PM
Jun 2014

I have lived most of my life in Southern Baptist type churches. Although I still take comfort in the rituals of faith and the doctrine of grace, I reject the political baggage that is packaged along with it.

tclambert

(11,085 posts)
47. They don't care about YOUR freedom. They want the freedom to bring back the Inquisition.
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:55 PM
Jun 2014

Because they want the freedom to believe that everyone should believe the same dogma they do.

Lint Head

(15,064 posts)
51. Because that is how the scum of the earth think.
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 12:33 AM
Jun 2014

The Christian religion indicates that Jesus said, 'Many will come in my name and many will be deceived.' They're just too stupid to know that "they" are the "many".

Warpy

(111,252 posts)
52. Belief requires consensus
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 12:44 AM
Jun 2014

which is why people now call themselves Christians instead of Methodists or Lutherans or whatever flavor you can think of. That's the thing Reaganism did best, unite all the sects who usually didn't think much of each other under that one umbrella.

Discussions of sectarian dogma don't happen much these days because they never come out well.

Evangelicals are just out there trying to tell an 80% Christian population that they don't know Jesus yet. It's their job and why they tend to be such pests and wet blankets at parties.

Should far right Christo-fascists ever gain more power than they have already, they are not going to stay united for long. See what's happening in Iraq? Sunni and Shi'a disagree mostly over the succession within Islam right after Mohammad died. Christian sects differ quite profoundly with each other on human activities like drinking alcohol, dancing, which day the Sabbath is, and so on and so forth. If they ever get real political power, they will start to rip each other apart.

raven mad

(4,940 posts)
54. I still appreciate, and always will, my brother's reply to a RW "evangelist" circa 1970......
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 01:40 AM
Jun 2014

He was polite. Answered the door with a beer in one hand, a cigarette in the other, in a t-shirt with a nice looking bud on it, and in boxer shorts. Oh, and he let the Dobie out........ the cop-trained Dobie, nice dog, who would lead you to the front door with her teeth........ and never broke a sweat (dog or brother). They didn't come back......... sigh.........

Tikki

(14,557 posts)
56. If they can't force their religion on you, then their other strategy is bullying and name calling..
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 01:52 AM
Jun 2014

which isn't such a big deal for adults but they train their young to verbally attack other children and
that is just cruel.

But then it is pretty much about how each denomination can out cruel the other...
IMHO

Tikki

EEO

(1,620 posts)
57. It is outrageous that we try to enforce secularism abroad when nation-building...
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 01:56 AM
Jun 2014

... but seem to be unable to understand secularism is critical to a just and functional republic at home. The stupidity, it burns.

 

blkmusclmachine

(16,149 posts)
64. Obama, in his Prayer Breakfast speech, claimed that religion is "under attack," and that weaponizing
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 04:46 AM
Jun 2014

Christianity abroad is a top priority in our nation-building endeavors overseas. Here is the transcript of Obama's rightwing speech:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/06/remarks-president-national-prayer-breakfast

EEO

(1,620 posts)
66. Not good. There is rarely to never a secular option.
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 11:34 AM
Jun 2014

Politicians play the game and part of that is most pretending they are more religious than they really are.

Kablooie

(18,628 posts)
61. Because they think the current Supreme Court will support them on this.
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 03:06 AM
Jun 2014

And if they do then forcing Christian beliefs on others will become the law of the land no matter what the Constitution actually says.

If it does pass i won't be surprised when other organizations start forcing people to follow more and more religious strictures.
At some point Sharia law may join the mix and then the fun really begins.

 

DeSwiss

(27,137 posts)
63. Because if they can force their beliefs into your life.....
Fri Jun 27, 2014, 04:43 AM
Jun 2014

...that ''proves to them'' that they were right all along. Might makes right, remember? It's the same half-assed bullshit logic that eventually resulted in that ''America is a Christian country'' crappola. All their efforts simply demonstrate to the world that stupid people in America can obtain political power here. Which is just further proof of our inevitable downward slide.

But the reality is that they serve a purpose for TPTB -- as a societal divider. Things that are divided within a society can be more easily controlled, because they are usually weaker and smaller as a result of being divided.

When one has a singular focus, such as: TRUTH, it's much harder to become divided.

- Because like Jesus said, the TRUTH can only be found within.....

K&R

[center][/center]

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why Do Right-Wing Christi...