jy76
Citizen
Posts: 6
|
Post by jy76 on Apr 20, 2017 22:27:24 GMT -8
Some people have argued that the US was founded as a Christian country and that it should be so now. They have also claimed that creationism should be taught as fact - or at least as an alternative to the evolutionary theory. Also, they think the movement to make the US Christian is a vastly important one due to what they see as massively declining morals.
Anyway, on the other side, you see a different story being told. Those people think creationism should not be taught because they think it's false and imposes religion on kids. They also don't buy that the US founding fathers were Christians, noting that many of them were highly distrustful of organized religion. Finally, these people don't see the declining morals as having anything to do with religion, but instead as possibly a side effect of other factors like economic oppression or racism.
|
|
|
Post by twinarmageddons on Apr 24, 2017 19:18:13 GMT -8
The US was never founded as a Christian country. Many of the thirteen colonies were founded as safe havens for those facing religious persecution in England due to their religion not following that of the state, for instance Massachusetts. It would not make full sense to repeat history. Also, you cannot state that because the founding fathers were (Let us suppose) Christian, that immediately the nation should follow forth. While the founding fathers did indeed help set up our country, they also were responsible for the creation and ratification of the First Amendment (That being James Madison and technically Thomas Jefferson), which guarantees the citizens of this country freedom of religion. I quote, "The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext, infringed." The US frequently prides itself on being a "melting pot" of diverse cultures, but by bringing together church and state, you are isolating many parts of this community that practice different religions from your own. As for creationism being taught as a fact, I do not believe I am capable of forming a non-biased opinion, so I will refrain from addressing that concern.
|
|
|
Post by legend1124 on Apr 24, 2017 19:58:10 GMT -8
The united states follows christian morals. For example the pledge of allegiance says one nation under god, people are sworn in with a bible, and other governmental and law systems follow christian morals and values. With that being said, the government isn't completely part of the church, but just follows a few morals that are planted in the nations foundation. I believe the church and state are, for the most part, separate and should stay separate as it has for the past few hundred years.
|
|
|
Post by UniversalAris on Apr 24, 2017 21:49:47 GMT -8
As above mentioned. I do believe that the separation has led to more progress overall for government. Without having a national religion weighing people down or leading people to corruption in government. (Not saying corruption doesn't happen without a national religion, just that tyranny with an absolute unified religion would not happen). Having freedom of religion does in fact allow for people to address their own beliefs and doesn't discourage charity or other forms of religious expression in society, for the most part I believe being a benefit. I do, however, believe that a God (or Christianity beliefs) should stay (mentioned by legend1124) in government to unify with a direct link to a higher power. Most of the United States is christian at this point in time so having some christian beliefs represented in politics shouldn't be an issue. It is just a set of traditions and words. If someone says Merry Christmas don't get offended, but say what ever holiday or classification one believes in.
|
|
|
Post by twinarmageddons on Apr 25, 2017 16:27:32 GMT -8
The united states follows christian morals. For example the pledge of allegiance says one nation under god, people are sworn in with a bible, and other governmental and law systems follow christian morals and values. With that being said, the government isn't completely part of the church, but just follows a few morals that are planted in the nations foundation. I believe the church and state are, for the most part, separate and should stay separate as it has for the past few hundred years. I'd like to point out that the addition of the phrase "Under God" to the pledge was to separate and distinguish the US from the Atheist Soviet Union during the Cold War.
|
|
|
Post by RadioactiveHaggis on May 3, 2017 17:23:33 GMT -8
Yes, there should be a separation of Church and state. A nation in which is governed by religious morals solely is theocratic and would most likely reject the views and objections of those of other faiths or atheists/agnostics.
That said, I am in support of religious freedom. Thus, if a politician or a social/political figures happen to have a lot of their policies and views shaped by their religious outlook, then I'm not as bothered, so long as it isn't religious law and it isn't the sole reason as to why they support it. Ones religious beliefs, in my view, is solely a personal thing and something that should not be inflicted upon others, most especially by the state.
|
|