Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So the politicians of iran are apparently proposing a law to let 9 year old marry to fit sharia law, which any western reader will find absurd. In general muslim based laws are a cause for a lot of resentment towards foreign legal systems.
But in a more general basis do you think it's acceptable that politicians argue legislation based on religious beliefs? or use the god so many believe in for their political campaigns?
An example is the discussion about abortions, where there is apparently a large part of america being against abortions calling it "pro life", based on their "christian morals and values".
Even presidential candidates went into this in the last election, but what really gives a christian believer and/or politician the right to tell for example an atheist woman what she can or can't do with her womb and arguably almost alive fetus?
President bush ended the better part of his speaches along the lines with "god bless america", a rather innocent statement, but should the highest ruling person of a modern country really be involving religion in his speaches about governing a country of which the very first founding documents state clearly that religion should have nothing to do with the country?
The very first ammendment of your constitution says
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
what do you think?
It's a tough question. As a former member of the religious right--who joined the religious left--and is now simply "religious", I don't think it's an easy yes or no answer. As a Christian, I can't really help that a lot of my political beliefs are influenced by my Christian faith--being anti war, supportive of universal health care, and supporting social justice for the poor are all influenced by things that Jesus preached. Christianity is part of my identity, and I can't really divorce that from how I conduct and articulate myself in public--nor should I have to--Not I nor any other person of faith (or no faith).
At the same time, I recognize two things: 1) You don't have to be a Christian to support the beliefs stated above and 2) I live in a pluralistic society where not everybody is a Christian. Of course, in a pluralistic society, all viewpoints and worldviews have a right to be heard in the public square. Besides, if the Christian, Muslim, Bhuddist and Atheist come to the same conclusion on say, ways the government can help the poor, then does it matter exactly where their opinions came from. I don't really think so. As long as the poor are helped. Just my two cents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mashed Potatoes
Religion has no place in politics or public policy.
Anyone who proposes religious based laws belongs in prison.
Wow, seriously? Sounds like we have a secular fundamentalist on our hands here.
It's said that there are over 20 major religions today, and hundreds of other smaller religions. So no, society should dictate our moral code, not religion.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Don't Drone Me Bro---
