I agree, it is quite laughable to think that church/state have ever been, or will ever effectively be (for the purposes of equality and no judgement, that is) separate from each other.
And you're right in that there's generally no problem with one's religious views (or lack thereof, for that matter), shaping how they approach politics - after all, as we've all pointed out, it is kind of hard to fully separate the two. The problem is that using religious views to shape your own views on the world and what goes on it is fine for yourself and your immediate family that you may be raising or whatever.
But where I run into issues with it, and what really grinds my gears, is when people who believe every word -- and I'm basing my response on Catholicism/Christianity here, since that's what I have the most experience with, but any one would fit - of whatever Bible they happen to "subscribe" to (forgive the poor pun everyone) and then therefore automatically condemn others who do not. I mean, I'm sorry, but just because some book tells you that gays are bad or abortion is immoral DOES NOT mean other people share your views and you have no right to take away their rights to choose to be whatever they want just because your religion has convinced you to behave in certain ways. Does that make sense?
What I'm trying to say is that I don't "mind" - in theory - that people believe in their religions forcefully and wholeheartedly. What I mind is when they judge others who don't. What I mind is when religious views affect fundamental and basic human rights whether you're gay, straight, bi, purple, yellow, short, tall, fat, pro-life, or pro-choice. It shouldn't matter what "your" religion thinks of the above when it comes to public policy, laws, and rights. Unfortunately, it DOES, and well, I just think that kinda sucks for lack of a better way to put it.
B, you finished my thoughts almost exactly as I would've. Eh, 's a lie - you did it more eloquently. Thank you. It's like you know me super well or something. ;)
And now, my healing brain and I are off to bed. :)
And you're right in that there's generally no problem with one's religious views (or lack thereof, for that matter), shaping how they approach politics - after all, as we've all pointed out, it is kind of hard to fully separate the two. The problem is that using religious views to shape your own views on the world and what goes on it is fine for yourself and your immediate family that you may be raising or whatever.
But where I run into issues with it, and what really grinds my gears, is when people who believe every word -- and I'm basing my response on Catholicism/Christianity here, since that's what I have the most experience with, but any one would fit - of whatever Bible they happen to "subscribe" to (forgive the poor pun everyone) and then therefore automatically condemn others who do not. I mean, I'm sorry, but just because some book tells you that gays are bad or abortion is immoral DOES NOT mean other people share your views and you have no right to take away their rights to choose to be whatever they want just because your religion has convinced you to behave in certain ways. Does that make sense?
What I'm trying to say is that I don't "mind" - in theory - that people believe in their religions forcefully and wholeheartedly. What I mind is when they judge others who don't. What I mind is when religious views affect fundamental and basic human rights whether you're gay, straight, bi, purple, yellow, short, tall, fat, pro-life, or pro-choice. It shouldn't matter what "your" religion thinks of the above when it comes to public policy, laws, and rights. Unfortunately, it DOES, and well, I just think that kinda sucks for lack of a better way to put it.
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And now, my healing brain and I are off to bed. :)
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