Now, I know that most of my friends just say things to get my goat. And my poor goat is so slow, it's gotten almost every time, no matter how hard he runs. Poor thing. But really, this can get to be rather old. I should be harder to get. Or my goat should be getting faster (if you will). But not so in my case. Enough of this imagery... I will cut to the chase.
Recently, I was having coffee and enjoying the company of friends, when the conversation turns to politics. *sigh* I know. But it did. And then it turns to religion. Again *sigh*. Again, I know. But then the conversation turned to religion AND politics. I know. WOAH. I really stepped in it. But I stayed with it. I was all good till my companion brought up "separation of church and state." I simply put it out there that although this has come to mean more, this part of the first amendment ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .") was placed in the Constitution to prevent the government from becoming head of the "Church of America." Makes sense. Many of the early European colonists were fleeing religious tyranny. Many fleeing from the Church of England specifically.
This is not to say that religious tolerance was practiced here. Not many people less tolerant than the Puritans of Mass. Just look at the witch trials.
Ok. I digress. I just threw that (in my opinion) interesting tidbit out. My companion decided to argue that "State sponsored" religion includes all the Christian Right because they were able to get some legislation passed. This is NOT what I was talking about. NOT at all. And there. Did you see it? My goat is captive once again.
Dear friends... It is not fun for me to try to argue against you when you are just saying things you know will piss me off. If we discuss and debate, and even argue, I would like it to be in a logical way.
At least till I can replace my goat (who is apparently a fainting goat) with one that will actually run. Maybe even fight.
Thank you.
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"My companion decided to argue that "State sponsored" religion includes all the Christian Right because they were able to get some legislation passed."
ReplyDeleteTell your companion that the Christian Left is just as guilty. It isn't fair to say that it's all conservatives that don't "respect" or "understand" separation of church and state. I would also be asking your friend for specific examples of "state sponsored" religion.
I never THOUGHT about bringing up the religious left. Or really any other lobby. I did later find out that he was just saying stuff to make me angry. *shrug* He says it's cause he is intimidated by people he feels knows more than him. But... Althought flattering in a twisted way that a friend of mine thinks that I am smart, really irritating cause I do my best to not belittle those I am in discussion with. I will remember those points in the future!
ReplyDeleteNice Megan!