General Discussion

sarisataka

(21,925 posts)

197. I believe the Constitutional protection should remain

Wed Mar 13, 2013, 11:07 PM

Mar 2013

to protect you more than me.

I have met many people who worship a variety of gods, God, powers, nothing. I suspect none of us are entirely correct so it is good to stay on speaking terms with whatever awaits us. If someone wants to compare beliefs, I am fine with that. You may accept what I believe, dismiss it or anything in between. I have never had an issue with matching faith and science; after all if there is an omnipotent God who can create the universe in seven days, how can I say He does not have the power to create beings which will evolve and change over time. For that matter, what is time to a being that is omnipotent and eternal?

No one is threatening me with religious persecution (beyond vehemently stating their beliefs- I have thick skin). The fundies (I have one in the family) would be more than happy to pass anti-godlessness laws. "Under God" could appear in many more places without the protection the 1A provides. While on paper their beliefs and mine may be similar, I have the right to think and say they are proselytizing hypocrites who can quote the bible without understanding a word of it. While not 'establishing' a preferred religion they would happily bring a 'god' into schools and government that neither you nor I would approve of.

The protection of religion is also a protection of non-religion. People should have the maximum freedom to believe in God, Allah, Thor, the goddess, kami, Santa Claus, socially responsible Republicans or nothing at all.

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New Pope Elected: Centuries Of Make-Believe (Religion) Reaffirmed For The Masses [View all] stopbush Mar 2013 OP

My goodness! That's a lot of hate in such a short post. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #1

+1 cbayer Mar 2013 #2

All over DU... sarisataka Mar 2013 #3

What is interesting is that even on DU Jenoch Mar 2013 #59

It is interesting you chose to use a slander in your post dballance Mar 2013 #83

Got a link proving this> "White on rice" is a commonly used phrase to denigrate Asian-Americans KittyWampus Mar 2013 #87

Holy crapoli! "White on rice" is denigrating to brown rice, maybe. But to Asian-Americans? Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #128

I have never actually Jenoch Mar 2013 #91

I defend anyone's right to smack around any religion they so please. stopbush Mar 2013 #108

I see people writing things Jenoch Mar 2013 #112

Yeh right...funny...I don't recall corneliamcgillicutty Mar 2013 #129

Hang around. You will. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #137

Of course. And blowback is predictable and equally acceptable. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #135

SO SO TRUE! corneliamcgillicutty Mar 2013 #127

I am pipi_k Mar 2013 #5

I like your attitude. Wish there was more of that here. kysrsoze Mar 2013 #9

+1 Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #12

I second that. Atheist here also. n/t RebelOne Mar 2013 #42

Thank you. Yours is the sounder, more mature attitude. whathehell Mar 2013 #94

The man who just became pope wants to do exactly that. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #101

If you're a Catholic and you support same-sex marriage, you have a dilemma. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #131

And the supreme court, as someone mentioned the 6 of 9 roman catholics makeup currently AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #133

Well, you might as well worry about all religions. Very few are supportive of same sex marriage. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #134

When it comes to support for same sex marriage, who would feel more comfortable with on the SCOTUS - stopbush Mar 2013 #142

Best post in the thread! etherealtruth Mar 2013 #148

But that is exactly the problem with organized religion....is it not? SammyWinstonJack Mar 2013 #166

So you should be PISSED OFF that this Church is trying to limit Arugula Latte Mar 2013 #199

What hate? oldhippie Mar 2013 #29

A Lot of Hate? Really? dballance Mar 2013 #64

Just stop. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #75

+1 Hekate Mar 2013 #71

It was all so predictable, too BeyondGeography Mar 2013 #85

+1000 Katashi_itto Mar 2013 #92

Logic is hate? CentristLiberal Mar 2013 #115

There is not an ounce of logic in the OP, just intolerance. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #130

Exactly!!!!!!! HuckleB Mar 2013 #172

Why do you hate John Lennon? 2ndAmForComputers Mar 2013 #162

Uh, yeah. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #177

Facts are not hate. HuckleB Mar 2013 #171

I agree. Facts are not hate. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #178

Really? HuckleB Mar 2013 #180

Golly! I just don't know. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #183

Sarcasm is so cool to use when you can't back up your claims. HuckleB Mar 2013 #184

Oh, grow up. mr blur Mar 2013 #264

Ok. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #266

what a stupid op. impressive. cali Mar 2013 #4

And your comment, lacking any foundation is equally impressive dballance Mar 2013 #68

I hope someone posts the jury results Capt. Obvious Mar 2013 #6

Thank you for that fine report pintobean Mar 2013 #16

Nice inflammatory, dickish post kysrsoze Mar 2013 #7

Seriously---can't you chill for one day? trumad Mar 2013 #8

Tweets is going into 'Romanist' mode. Dawson Leery Mar 2013 #10

They must all hope that they get an interview with the new pope. LiberalFighter Mar 2013 #37

Tweety is an excitable boy Hekate Mar 2013 #73

As an atheist, this thread makes me sad LittleBlue Mar 2013 #11

Ask the new pope what he thinks of an Atheist, and let me know if respect is a two way street. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #48

Who cares? alcibiades_mystery Mar 2013 #69

While on the subject of ethics AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #72

+1, n/t RKP5637 Mar 2013 #80

I won't ask him what he thinks of my religious views Hekate Mar 2013 #79

6 of 9 SCOTUS judges are Roman Catholic, and some - like Scalia - are overt stopbush Mar 2013 #111

Justice Sotomayor is also a Roman Catholic. And a liberal. Hekate Mar 2013 #117

And Sotomayor has not issued any opinions negative toward same sex marriage to my knowledge. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #122

I imagine it's rather convenient to predicate one's behavior LanternWaste Mar 2013 #99

Perceived? AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #113

I see nothing wrong with your OP. Apophis Mar 2013 #13

ridiculous post - no reason for this much hate - how about a little respect for others whether DrDan Mar 2013 #14

Respect? You want respect? Zoeisright Mar 2013 #43

From Richard Dawkins: stopbush Mar 2013 #44

hmmm DrDan Mar 2013 #47

I guess when he was supporting the repressive right wing government he was "a champion"... Walk away Mar 2013 #88

You don't have to be religious to be respectful. SpartanDem Mar 2013 #15

My family are Huguenots, and I find this post offensive. riqster Mar 2013 #17

How is it any more "over the top" than celebrating the election of a new pope? HuckleB Mar 2013 #173

One can celebrate without crapping on others riqster Mar 2013 #175

It's also insulting for an institution such as this to put so many resources into faniciful BS. HuckleB Mar 2013 #176

Read up on what the Church did to my ancestors sometime riqster Mar 2013 #182

Use of a red herring is not a valid argument. HuckleB Mar 2013 #186

If this is your definition of "Criticism" riqster Mar 2013 #187

It's no more sophomoric than the whole spectacle put on in Rome. HuckleB Mar 2013 #260

Nope, no point. You lack the ability to see anything but that which you wish to see. riqster Mar 2013 #265

Get a mirror, dude. HuckleB Mar 2013 #273

Good work, riqster. Your points were substantial. nt patrice Mar 2013 #277

I pronounce you at the pinnacle of wit and style. Dreamer Tatum Mar 2013 #18

I voted to let your op stand warrprayer Mar 2013 #19

What was the vote tally? Capt. Obvious Mar 2013 #21

I was the infamous "juror #4" :) warrprayer Mar 2013 #22

4-2 DrDan Mar 2013 #24

Says the person with a JFK avatar (nt) The Straight Story Mar 2013 #20

Lol. Good point. nt pintobean Mar 2013 #23

+1000 SpartanDem Mar 2013 #32

HA! Well spotted! (nt) Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #136

LOL jsr Mar 2013 #236

Seems a lot of DU can't handle criticism of religion yet... MellowDem Mar 2013 #25

here's a good reason warrprayer Mar 2013 #26

That's not a good reason MellowDem Mar 2013 #30

goodbye n/t warrprayer Mar 2013 #34

Might as well add me to your ignore list too while the link is hot. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #52

LOL, nice retort! N-t Logical Mar 2013 #201

You showed him! Iggo Mar 2013 #205

seems to me a lot of DU cannot handle religion yet DrDan Mar 2013 #27

This is a discussion forum... MellowDem Mar 2013 #39

I do not make fun of atheists/agnostics - I happen to be one DrDan Mar 2013 #41

So it's ok to applaud a homophobic amuse bouche Mar 2013 #51

did I say that? or was that a convenient insult. DrDan Mar 2013 #56

I've gotten that before Puzzledtraveller Mar 2013 #234

one would think that is not necessary DrDan Mar 2013 #245

"This is a discussion forum" amuse bouche Mar 2013 #76

Here's the thing about respect. It's a two way street. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #54

I never said you should respect him, now did I DrDan Mar 2013 #55

MY ASS. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #58

barking up the wrong tree, pardner DrDan Mar 2013 #61

Respect is earned. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #70

once again . . . DrDan Mar 2013 #102

I have respect for DU'ers, even those of this particular sect of faith. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #109

Disrespect is earned. Respect for others is the default LanternWaste Mar 2013 #103

Well, fortuitious since he earned my disrespect before he acquired this new job. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #116

Well said amuse bouche Mar 2013 #77

Love your analogy! n/t displacedtexan Mar 2013 #237

I can't take credit for it. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #238

+1 HuckleB Mar 2013 #286

I hope by now you realize the burden on proof is on the believers... Logical Mar 2013 #202

I feel the same . . . I see no difference in the arguments DrDan Mar 2013 #223

Can you point some out? AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #232

my statement was made relative to the non-believer DrDan Mar 2013 #243

How many of those non-believer's do you know that make a positive statement that no god AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #247

there are certainly some here on this forum DrDan Mar 2013 #248

Logic is hard for you I guess...... Logical Mar 2013 #250

I really have no need for your insults - DrDan Mar 2013 #251

Thanks. At least one DUer gets it. stopbush Mar 2013 #38

exactly fascisthunter Mar 2013 #152

Can we mock Ramadan yet? J/S. WinkyDink Mar 2013 #28

Hell, I'll draw Mohammed if I want Taverner Mar 2013 #35

Sure! progressoid Mar 2013 #67

Hell yeah. Why should religion have a protective bubble around it? Arugula Latte Mar 2013 #81

"Fatwa Envy" msanthrope Mar 2013 #160

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition." WinkyDink Mar 2013 #167

Spot fucking on! Capt. Obvious Mar 2013 #253

There are people who seem to actually fantasize Mariana Mar 2013 #255

Of course Capt. Obvious Mar 2013 #256

How many attitudes towards stopbush's OP will be altered by ChisolmTrailDem Mar 2013 #31

Yep. It's still OK to hire a raging homophobe to run your business stopbush Mar 2013 #40

Apparently it's ok to celebrate homophobic leaders here amuse bouche Mar 2013 #62

Maybe 5%. The intolerance toward Catholics for other reasons is centuries old. Buzz Clik Mar 2013 #132

"If you don't want people to make fun of your beliefs, don't have funny beliefs!" Taverner Mar 2013 #33

One of these days the hierarchy of the church will let the truth slip and we will have Arcanetrance Mar 2013 #36

K&R MotherPetrie Mar 2013 #45

You mean the Vatican Mafia has chosen a new Don? Dash87 Mar 2013 #46

Be careful the religies are in amuse bouche Mar 2013 #49

"Cardinals hire new manager" krispos42 Mar 2013 #50

Funny. :) Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #66

And you wonder why atheists get a bad rep by many. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #53

They get a bad rep? amuse bouche Mar 2013 #60

Yes. Yes they do. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #65

But the great atheists amuse bouche Mar 2013 #74

What's it to them? I mean, really. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #78

It matters because most of us are amuse bouche Mar 2013 #86

Of course if you are claiming that religious people are "reality deniers"... Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #90

Common sense gets some panties in a bunch amuse bouche Mar 2013 #95

Okay. nt Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #96

Oh no. Not a pissing match. A matter of self-defense. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #124

Self defense? sarisataka Mar 2013 #139

This is the single largest religious denomination in the United States. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #140

And you hope to win those people over by sarisataka Mar 2013 #141

I'm not here to make friends. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #143

It is easier to get legislation passed with friends sarisataka Mar 2013 #144

Amen (the non-religious kind of "amen")! stopbush Mar 2013 #147

Who is looking to win people over? stopbush Mar 2013 #145

Interesting... sarisataka Mar 2013 #146

Yep. I would say that it's time to amend the Constitution to clearly treat religious thought stopbush Mar 2013 #149

I appreciate your honesty sarisataka Mar 2013 #153

Thanks for your tolerance. stopbush Mar 2013 #154

This message was self-deleted by its author Occulus Mar 2013 #158

"I" sarisataka Mar 2013 #163

How can one not accept that? stopbush Mar 2013 #188

I believe the Constitutional protection should remain sarisataka Mar 2013 #197

But do we really need the language in 1A that is specific to the exercising of religious belief? stopbush Mar 2013 #217

Your proposal would seem sarisataka Mar 2013 #249

Well, I would disagree with you that the present language gives equal protection. stopbush Mar 2013 #279

I see what you are saying sarisataka Mar 2013 #280

What of the people who just want to live their lives AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #118

well said - exactly right! DrDan Mar 2013 #224

It is silly. earthside Mar 2013 #57

The media is pathetic amuse bouche Mar 2013 #89

Thank goodness it won't last long. earthside Mar 2013 #107

this is going straight to the trash where it belongs liberal_at_heart Mar 2013 #63

I would have been well-advised to do so also - not worth a breath of discussion DrDan Mar 2013 #106

Care to say that about Islam? The make believe part? Zax2me Mar 2013 #82

As far as I'm concerned all religions are evil alarimer Mar 2013 #84

Thank you amuse bouche Mar 2013 #93

No more and no less imaginary than many other human constructs... LanternWaste Mar 2013 #97

Party Dress bpj62 Mar 2013 #98

Thanks. And I'm happy you got the point of the JFK avatar in this discussion. stopbush Mar 2013 #119

it's a personal choice. i choose not to participate. many do. spanone Mar 2013 #100

Funny and wickedly biting. 99Forever Mar 2013 #104

And how are the Tea Party, Republican Party, Libertarian Party and Democratic Party... aristocles Mar 2013 #105

None of them believe they are channeling the thoughts of some god to justify their stopbush Mar 2013 #121

Certainly some members of those parties do. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #126

In the Republican Party and the Tea Party Nevernose Mar 2013 #170

Joe Biden is a Roman Catholic. Do you think he also has a "raging boner"? (nt) Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #110

Did Joe Biden get a tingle up his leg when Obama was elected in 2008? stopbush Mar 2013 #220

You know, I'm Christian OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #114

"tolerant of others" amuse bouche Mar 2013 #123

I MEANT OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #155

I think that holding others to a higher standard LanternWaste Mar 2013 #125

Michigan. Marriage amendment. Occulus Mar 2013 #174

It's true many OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #189

An article on today's HuffPo says that 40% of liberals are non-believers. stopbush Mar 2013 #221

Here is the good thing about how OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #235

But ... Arugula Latte Mar 2013 #259

Yeah they can try OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #270

completely agree - from the other side DrDan Mar 2013 #225

why are people so hurt ??? olddots Mar 2013 #120

"unscientific self glorifying dribble" amuse bouche Mar 2013 #157

I don't think you're garbage OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #161

and this children is what happens when whistler162 Mar 2013 #138

hahaha... true fascisthunter Mar 2013 #150

Unfortunately the homophobia and misogyny of this religion aren't make believe. forestpath Mar 2013 #151

Exactly amuse bouche Mar 2013 #156

They might as well be enabling and celebrating the Republican party. forestpath Mar 2013 #159

Some are too blind to see amuse bouche Mar 2013 #164

That's what I just don't understand... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #181

Well I don't believe God OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #192

So the fact that the institution they belong to hates gays and women... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #194

What I'm saying OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #210

And that is sort of my point...if YOU as the believer felt that god actually DID love Teh gays.... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #226

Ok, I'm going to say this again OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #230

I wasn't asking you anything, my point was that I couldn't see how THEY square that circle... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #252

To be honest I really don't know OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #269

You're right OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #165

That's a pretty crappy thing to post today. Very bad form. NaturalHigh Mar 2013 #168

I missed the announcement that The Roman church was the official religion... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #169

2/3 of the Supreme Court justices are paid up adherents, so sadly their nonsense influences policy. LeftyMom Mar 2013 #211

And that is the truly scary thing... truebrit71 Mar 2013 #227

Your post is completely offensive. hrmjustin Mar 2013 #179

Always classy BainsBane Mar 2013 #196

Some of the posts here today were just awful. hrmjustin Mar 2013 #198

I know BainsBane Mar 2013 #203

I saw that as well. hrmjustin Mar 2013 #204

I think part of the problem BainsBane Mar 2013 #207

Insensitive tacky tasteless post. You could have the Raine Mar 2013 #185

Yes. In retrospect, I should have put away the anger and disgust I feel towards stopbush Mar 2013 #191

More comedy MFrohike Mar 2013 #190

"Imagine no religion." - John Lennon Raffi Ella Mar 2013 #193

Religion isn't make believe BainsBane Mar 2013 #195

Lord of the Rings isn't make believe, but only in the sense that it's a real series of books... Silent3 Mar 2013 #208

it's true as in the sense that literature as an art form is real BainsBane Mar 2013 #212

When people take it so seriously that they base how they live on it... Silent3 Mar 2013 #213

Few people do that BainsBane Mar 2013 #215

When did I say anything about hating anyone? Silent3 Mar 2013 #216

so the beliefs of conservatives are real BainsBane Mar 2013 #241

You're the one who said " Few people do that (in response to me... Silent3 Mar 2013 #257

Okay BainsBane Mar 2013 #261

How do I deal with the "crux of (your) argument" if you won't make a clear crux? Silent3 Mar 2013 #262

Let's review BainsBane Mar 2013 #271

No, you're focussed on turning any nuance you can't grasp into a simplistic strawman... Silent3 Mar 2013 #272

That's a perfectly sound sociological argument. nyquil_man Mar 2013 #222

I know what he meant BainsBane Mar 2013 #240

If you know what he means, why do you reply as if you don't? n/t nyquil_man Mar 2013 #246

+1 BainsBane Puzzledtraveller Mar 2013 #229

Oh. So because it's part of culture it's okay to be misogynistic and homophobic? Apophis Mar 2013 #231

Did I say that? BainsBane Mar 2013 #239

Actually, you did. Apophis Mar 2013 #254

not even remotely BainsBane Mar 2013 #258

You know, there's a limited character count available on DU title lines for an OP, stopbush Mar 2013 #283

The word God takes up fewer characters than religion BainsBane Mar 2013 #287

Not all religions have gods in them. stopbush Mar 2013 #288

This belongs in Atheists & Agnostics (Group) Lady Freedom Returns Mar 2013 #200

Amazing how this post isn't locked yet though my similar post CAG Mar 2013 #206

not really surprising BainsBane Mar 2013 #209

I've gotta say I'm surprised this thread I started is still alive. stopbush Mar 2013 #219

Why do you have Livluvgrow Mar 2013 #214

Our "first Catholic president" spent a lot of time fucking Marilyn Monroe stopbush Mar 2013 #218

Got a link for that, stopbush? Octafish Mar 2013 #233

Your post makes no sense. It addresses nothing I wrote. stopbush Mar 2013 #242

You smear JFK and pretend it's a normal thing to do. Same for Roman Catholics. Octafish Mar 2013 #244

It's not a smear if it's true, and JFK's philandering while married to Jackie stopbush Mar 2013 #263

No , what you write is a smear, stopbush. Octafish Mar 2013 #268

This message was self-deleted by its author stopbush Mar 2013 #274

Didn't take long for your fantasies about the plot to kill JFK to come up, did it? stopbush Mar 2013 #275

No fantasy. Abraham Bolden tells the truth. Octafish Mar 2013 #278

+1 patrice Mar 2013 #276

I've been everything, catholic, atheists, agnostic, bhuddist, vedic Puzzledtraveller Mar 2013 #228

Unfortunately, some of those beliefs lead to harm done to others. HuckleB Mar 2013 #285

What an excellent opportunity to deploy reasoned argumentation against delusional thinking Coyotl Mar 2013 #267

God ... napkinz Mar 2013 #281

someone else posted this recently ... very funny ... and spot on napkinz Mar 2013 #282

+1 HuckleB Mar 2013 #284