My New Year's Wish List for "Christians"

[BOSSHOG]

- Since you all are very sincere about maintaning the sanctity of marriage may I suggest you propose a constitutional amendment banning divorce.
- Since you all are very sincere about wanting all sides of the origin of life issue to be presented, may I suggest you have evolution taught in Sunday Schools.
- Since you all are very sincere about jumping into the political arena with both feet, campaigning from the pulpit, etc, may I suggest you voluntarily give up your tax exempt status in the true spirit of separation of church and state.

I know I'm not asking for much. I'm sure you all can take care of these by Easter. Thanks in advance.

[tatertop]

1. those are some good points

[afdip]

2. this is a terrific wish list . . . .

[papau]

3. why is charity without religion better than charity with religion?

How is the sanctity of marriage improved by banning divorce?

a DUer wants science classes taught in the Church? - before or after services?

A confusing wish list - IMHO. :-)

[China_cat]

5. How is the sanctity of marriage damaged by gays getting married?

If churches insist on religion being taught in the classroom, why not expect the reverse and have science taught in Sunday school?

Why is charity without religion better than charity WITH religion? Because it's given without the stick of eternal damnation or the carrot of heaven. It's given because it's RIGHT.

[papau]

9. So charity is "not right" if given by religious folks - interesting- gays

getting married bothers very few - and I suspect none at DU.

stick of eternal damnation or the carrot of heaven may help motivate the theist

Does peer pressure motivate the atheist?

Could the motivation of both theist and atheist be the same as to charity?

[China_cat]

13. So why can't you answer the question

about how gay marriage invalidates mine? I think the only ones that can do that are the partners involved.

"stick of eternal damnation or the carrot of heaven may help motivate the theist"
It seems it's the only motivation. It's not even christmas yet and I'm sick of hearing "I'll be glad when this is over so I can quit forking over money to everybody with their hand out"...coming from the same ones exhorting everyone else that they need to be 'saved'.


"Does peer pressure motivate the atheist?"
I don't know about any other atheist but it doesn't motivate this one. I don't care what anyone else does. I'll give or not as I please. I'll volunteer or not as I please.


"Could the motivation of both theist and atheist be the same as to charity?"
I really doubt it. Most theists keep their charity to this season of the year, they take a tax break for it and brag about the 'good' they are doing. Most atheists do their charity year round, rarely put it on their income tax returns and seldom (very seldom) ever let anyone know what they've done.

Charity; giving without remembering, receiving without forgetting.

[BOSSHOG]

6. How is

the sanctity of marriage improved by banning those who love each other from getting married? "Christian hypocrisy?"
If "christians" want religion taught in schools, yes, this DUer wants science taught in church. Maybe there is something to that separation nonsense after all. I understand and accept it but "christians" choose to refer to it as persecution.
"Christians" have raped and pillaged the concept of tax exempt status. It is designed for those who provide charity. One hell of a notion. It is not designed to provide tax relief for those who use that relief to push forth political agendas.

My list is designed for "christians" to reflect upon their agenda in a country which has no state religion and whose sons and daughters have suffered mightily for their right to worship as they see fit free from government intervention. There will be no action taken on my wish list, therefore I will not be disappointed in "christians," many of whom dream of the day our country is turned into a theocracy where wish lists from the likes of me will be irrelevant.

I apologize for any confusion. Its all clear in my head.

[papau]

10. Tax exempt status is to prevent power of taxation from destroying a group

It has little to do with "good works". :-) 501 status is given to those "educating" in all sorts of areas other than religion, including politics, indeed the other 501's have a "c" status that covers many many things - including the rich folks pass through corporations, civic leagues, professional football leagues, clubs for pleasure and other non-profit reasons - etc.

Again gay marriage is not an issue for most theists at DU. Civil rights is an issue.

When the state has the power to tax religion it can control religion - and indeed atheist states that control religion, if they allow religion, do indeed exist and some of that control can be via tax.

At 1000 AD most of the population in Islam controled areas were not Muslim. But the tax that only non-Muslim's paid was a power that converted many to Islam.

Again your war on religion being taught as science is a speaking to the choir moment when you post on DU. There is no need to pretend the theist on DU is pushing the idea.

If you want a discussion then perhaps - rather than flaming - just choose a topic that is not dogma to the atheist or dogma to the theist.

[SCantiGOP]

4. I don't like the second one

I'm fond of the old adage: I promise not to teach science in your church if you won't pray in my classroom.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Please accept my left handed logic

I agree with you whole heartedly. However, think of it this way. If you insist on praying in my classroom I insist on teaching science in your "tax exempt" church.

[jonnyblitz]

8. I can see why you wouldn't.

after a dose of science everybody would see the truth and leave the church.

[papau]

11. Amazing how many multi-degree'd Science folks are religious -perhaps

religion is really not threaten by science?

In any case - have a great Holiday, everyone :-) :toast: :-)

I'll get to play with grandkids for next few days! That is even more fun than posting on DU!

[brentspeak]

12. Which "Christians" are you blasting away at?

Can you be more specific?