I have no issue with people disagreeing with me. I take issue with dishonesty and ignorance. That said, I don't hate anyone though I think certain people are hateful.
And for the record I'm not an atheist. I just expect people to stick to their own religious beliefs and not legislate their own dogma. That seems fair and consistent with the secular government intentionally established by the founders.
Oh on a personal note I always asked if something I posted would embarrass my son or reflect badly on my employer/position. Seemed the way to go for me.[/QUOTE]
Jillian:
I respect and agree with everything you said, except the part about the United States having a secular government intentionally established by the Founders. The Founders were, for the most part, Christians. Being so they created a government which was fundamentally Christian. It was fundamentally Christian because enshrined within its Constitution is the uniquely Christian principle of the separation of church and state. Christians love their fellow me as they do themselves and because of this fundamental principal, a good Christian respects the religious beliefs of others. One cannot truly respect the religious beliefs of others if their religion makes them second class citizens in the nation of their birth. Secondly, Christianity is a religion of moral principles; not one of rules and commandments which are inviolate and must be obeyed. This being the case, a Christian wants other to come to God of their own will and volition, not because some archaic law says they should. Finally, Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and render unto God that which is Gods". From this it should be clear that Jesus Christ cared less about the laws which man lived under and only cared about ones personal relationship with God.
Yes, America is a Christian nation and within a Christian nation all men are equal in the eyes of God and under the law.[/QUOTE]
No but nice try. Christianity didn't want separation of church and state and not all the founders were Christians and not all Christians agree on what the rules are. There must have been enough history with religion and disagreement that they knew to leave religion out.
Christianity has one rule that I have a problem with. Believe their story or burn in hell. I don't believe their story and I don't believe I'll burn in hell for it either. This is why we are not a Christian nation. Not all Americans believe that.