[quote name='bmulligan'][quote name='camoor']
Kerry is a Catholic that said his faith is important to him, but it would not dictate how he runs the country. Of course the Evangelicals hate the Catholics, but in polite society we sweep that religious bigotry under the carpet.
Bush is a zealot, who declared a Jesusday in Texas, and makes decisions about going to war based on what the "Holy Father" tells him to do.
It's not that Democrats would outlaw religion, it's that this Republican (because there are a good number of moderates too) allows his religion to control how he runs the country.[/quote]
Obviously you have never really LISTENED to anything Bush has said during the campaign or after the election. Bush is not forcing the Iraqis or anyone else to accept christ as their personal savior. He is simply unashamed to display his faithfullness. A quote from Bush on june 10th 2000 about Jesus Day:
“Throughout the world, people of all religions recognize Jesus Christ as an example of love, compassion, sacrifice and service. Reaching out to the poor, the suffering and the marginalized, he provided moral leadership that continues to inspire countless men, women and children today.” Universalizing Christ as an American hero, Governor Bush then enshrined him and “faith-based” social and political activism in the state calendar: “Jesus Day challenges people to follow Christ’s example by performing good works in their communities and neighborhoods.”
Are you against love, compassion, sacriface, and service? Against reaching out to the poor and your fellow man? Against performing good works? Against challenging people to follow christs example ? Note the diference between "following his example" and "following
him," it is significant. Perhaps you should judge your own zealous nature before passing judgement on someone who is obviously more highly regarded by the american people than YOU.
[/quote]
The simple fact is that in America, in terms of religion, we are allowed to believe what we think. This may be hard for you to believe, but some people are deeply offended that Christ asserted that he should be deified and that he was the God that many of the Jews of his time were waiting for.
I don't think any clear-thinking person on this planet is against the values you assert above. However in America we reserve days of honor for American heroes who contributed their services to making this country great. Think George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln. (Or to borrow a phrase, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" - state-sponsored days fall into the "Caesar" category)
There are already nationalized holidays like Thanksgiving and
Christmas that allow people to celebrate the family values and "love, compassion, sacriface, and service" that you talk about above. The nice thing about Christmas is that I can celebrate it with my family without having the Christian aspect shoved down my throat. Please don't take that away.
[quote name='bmulligan']
Secondly, The Constitution controls how he runs the country, not his religion. From what I gather, you haven't actually read that document either. Congress also has some say in the matter, not to mention the courts, the states, and the people.
There's nothing more annoying than intolerant people demanding tolerence.[/quote]
Let's not forget that Julius Caesar and Hitler figured out to take advantage of Republics that were originally designed to stop dictators from assuming complete control of the government. Our system of government is wonderful, but it requires the people to stand up for the rights that are guaranteed to them in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Looks like I need to repost this. I'll let Bush's quotes about how religion affects his decision making speak for themselves:
"I've heard the call. I believe God wants me to run for president." -- George W. Bush, quoted from Aaron Latham, "How George W. Found God," George Magazine, September, 2000
"God speaks through me," -- G.W. Bush
Intelligencer Journal and the Lancaster New Era, July 16, 2004.
"Our nation is chosen by God and commissioned by history to be a model to the world of justice and inclusion and diversity without division. " -- Bush speaking to B'nai B'rith, 28 August 2000
"I believe it is wrong to forcefully expunge any mention of religion, or dilute its impact and importance, when discussing world affairs." -- Associated Press questionnaire, October 2000
In reference to the capture of Saddam he said; "Justice was being delivered to a man who defied that gift from the Almighty to the people of Iraq." -- G.W. Bush Washington, D.C., Dec. 15, 2003.
"Prayer has reassured us that the hand of God is guiding the affairs of this nation." -- Address to National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, 16 May 2002
"God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did..." -- As told to Israeli PM Mahmoud Abbas, 6/25/2003
"Our new faith-based laws have removed government as a roadblock to people of faith who hear the call." quoted from Aaron Latham, "How George W. Found God," George Magazine, September 2000.
"George W. Bush told a Houston, Texas, Baptist church that he believed that he had been chosen by God to be a good steward of the nation." -- reported by ChritianityToday.com, 12/14/2000
"THIS CRUSADE, this war on terrorism is going to take a while." -- G.W.Bush, 9/16/2001, igniting an outcry among billions of peaceful Muslims around the world.
PS I love tolerance! But I don't like state-mandated tolerance any more then you would if someone wanted a government mandated "Buddha day" or "Ganesh day" or "Confucius day"...
ing America, I knew there were a lot of dumbasses, but this is a new all time low for us.
