The Religious RightIt’s great that some people have all the answers conveyed to them directly by God. Those of us who don’t have all the answers depend on the protections of the constitution to protect our freedoms. A theocracy, even if it’s a theocracy based on your beliefs, is a dangerous thing. When the theocracy starts to dictate science, write laws, and apply religious doctrine to government, oppression is inevitable. Our country was built by thousands of immigrants seeking religious freedoms. Let’s honor the Pilgrims, the Protestants, the Jews, and even the Unitarians by keeping religious doctrine out of our governmental processes. For those who can’t separate their religious beliefs from their politics, I’d remind them; “Judge not, that ye not be judged”. “By maintaining the separation of church and state, the United States has avoided the intolerance which has so divided the rest of the world with religious wars…Can any of us refute the wisdom of Madison and the other framers? Can anyone look at the carnage in Iran, the bloodshed in Northem Ireland, or the bombs bursting in Lebanon and yet question the dangers of injecting religious issues into the affairs of state?”—Barry Goldwater, Speech to Senate, Sept. 15, 1981 Previous: Patriot Act -- Next: Separation of Church & State |
