I will agree with that with the prerequisite that the religion in question persecutes those with different viewpoints. I don’t think this is ever good and free discussion and debate of ideas should never be stifled. If what a religion believes is true than no discussion should ever concern them because the truth will always stand. I believe that religion is a great thing, though, and because of that the rise of secularism scares me. If nothing else (and this is putting aside my beliefs about various belief’s truth value) secularism strips mankind of a basis for moral actions. To reiterate, though, I do believe that no religious movement should seek to suppress the freedom of people to choose their own beliefs or to freely exchange ideas. (For the sake of full disclosure I personally am a practicing Christian)

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"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." Alexander Hamilton

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
Plato

Agreed to most of the above, except the concept of secularism.

The US was designed to be "religiously neutral", allowing for perfect equality and freedom regardless of religion, or none, in our secular laws, while protecting the religious rights of individuals, even those in public office.

This concept has been raped over the history of our Nation however, by the same type of people who are selling "secularism" as something inherently evil.

Religious Fundamentalists, or the American Christotaliban is the phrase I like to sue to insult these religious extremists.

Secularism simply does not equate to state mandated athiesm as was witnessed in the USSR when the Russian Orthodox Church challenged the power of the Socialist regime. True and pure religious equality can only be achieved by keeping the Institution of Religion from power.

Agreed but the problem comes into the equation when one realizes that the rejection of religion is a religious viewpoint. That's the concern of what is called the "Christian Right." They believe the government is becoming hostile to their religious viewpoint. In any government this will become a problem because people will let their religious beliefs affect what they do politically (abortion for example). It's a hard balance to strike. How does the government stay neutral while allowing for moral legislation (in the forms of prohibiting murder, allowing/prohibiting abortion, outlawing/legalizing drugs, ect.)

__________________
"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." Alexander Hamilton

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
Plato

I'm sure Jesus would have driven a Lamborgenie

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"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." - John Maynard Keynes

All great points to discuss....

The "Christian Right" wrongly believes they have some form of inherent right to impose their religious viewpoints on every other citizen, including more tolerant Christians as well.

When one examines their views closely, one see them advocating the death penality for everything from homosexuality (not sex, just being gay) to adultry. And jail time for not going to church at least once a week. These are just the major examples of a long list as well.

As far as governments legislating morals, we are a "Constitutional Republic", our representatives are supposed to reflect our views in representing us in government, and creating laws and legislation within those confines and within Constitutional limits as well. The Establishment Clause in the 1st Amendment is supposed to guarentee that no laws are created that "founds, confirms, proves, or admits" religion.

Pres. Bush is a perfect example of someone letting their own religious beliefs dictate a policy contrary to what the majority of those he represents wanted, in the stem cell research concern among others. (though he was, of course, pandering to the religious conservative voting block)

Basically, if a "moral law" represents only one religion's views, it is undesirable in my opinion. Murder, theft, and rape are all "morals" that exist across cultural and religious lines, and exists(ed) in any well run, prosperous society. The law in Texas recently removed by SCOTUS, the law prohibiting the sale of "adult toys", is an example of a religio-specific law.

In closing, so I don't run the whole page, anti-drug laws are racist in origin, and have nothing to do with morals or "the greater good". Opium, for example, was not outlawed in SanFran until white citizens began patronizing opium dens, despite the drug being on these shores since the earliest US Asian communities.

Coke and pot were not outlawed until those drugs began to shift into mainstream society from the black community. There were also concerns that a black hyped up on coke would rape white women, among other "outrages". The Pittsburg PD changed from .30 caliber to 38. because it was thought the lighter caliber would not stop a black man on coke. The Harrison Act was designed specifically to keep doctors from "prescribing" coke and pot to white patients.

Ever wonder where Coca-cola gets its name?

ew