 |
|
|
|
 A new report finds that religious groups engaged in lobbying or advocacy around Washington employ at least 1,000 people.
November 22nd, 2011
12:29 PM ET
Report tracks explosion of religious lobbying in WashingtonBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - Lobbying and advocacy by religious groups in Washington have exploded in recent decades, increasing fivefold since 1970 to become a nearly $400 million industry, a new Pew report finds. More than 200 groups are doing faith-related lobbying and advocacy in the nation’s capital, compared to fewer than 40 in 1970, according to the report. Put together, the groups employ at least 1,000 people. The report, released Monday by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life, found that religious groups spend $390 million a year to influence U.S. domestic and foreign policy. “About one-in-five religious advocacy organizations in Washington have a Roman Catholic perspective (19%) and a similar proportion is evangelical Protestant in outlook (18%), while 12% are Jewish and 8% are mainline Protestant,” according to the report, called "Lobbying for the Faithful: Religious Advocacy Groups in Washington, D.C." “But many smaller U.S. religious groups, including Baha’is, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, also have established advocacy organizations in the Washington area,” the report said. The number of Muslim groups engaged in lobbying and advocacy in Washington (17) is about the same as the number of mainline Protestant groups engaged in such work (16). The report said that the most common domestic issues for religious groups are: - The relationship between church and state; - Civil rights and liberties for religious and other minorities; - Bioethics and life issues, including abortion, capital punishment and end-of-life issues; - Family/marriage issues, including definition of marriage, domestic violence and fatherhood initiatives. The top international issues for religious groups are religious freedom, human rights, debt relief and other economic issues, and the promotion of peace and democracy, the report found. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
|
|
|
Back to the subject of the article, why is it that all these religions feel that their own god can't stand on its (his, hers, whatever) own – without the assistance of lobbyists, laws, money, and so on? If a religion isn't strong enough to stand on its own merits, why keep it alive artificially? Someone *please* give me a calm and rational answer – an answer with no rantings, insults, or quotes from holy books. Somehow, I doubt I'll get such an answer...sigh...
@O.S. Bird "Why is it that all these religions feel that their own god can't stand on its (his, hers, whatever) own – without the assistance of lobbyists, laws, money, and so on?"
=>Not sure how you would have God "stand on His own", appear in human form and lobby the govt in person?
Chad: You have a point
Why not, Chard? If he's omnipotent, why is that an absurd notion?
Oh, wait. Because he's non-existent.
Prove He doesn't exist.
R'amen
@fred – the burden of proof is on the claimant. Unless you think that you should be proving that there are no mermaids.
Hmmm... No answer yet. Come on, Christian and Muslim and Hindu lobbyists! Gimme an answer!
They know their religion is empty of truth and power. That's why they always pay for protection from real governments.
Their fantasy-government does not work. Prayers do nothing. Money does. Their god does not exist. Money does.
I guess I thought that I indirectly answered it above by asking what you would have God do..
God isn't going to appear in human form and head down to the capital building. God has always worked through humans to accomplish His will, as such Christians (some truly lead by the Holy Spirit, some hearing the HS faintly, and some, from what I can see at least, not seeming to be in touch at all with the Holy Spirit) lobby our government to affect change we see as being in line with His will.
All the religious people in the USA already proved that "churches" are totally unable and unwilling to help people with any kind of consistency or effectiveness.
Really, do you think we just came up with govt welfare because we were just bored?
In the old days, millions of people starved and suffered horribly even though most of them were religious and were members of a church. After decades and decades of suffering, we started welfare to help all Americans in a much more efficient and comprehensive way than any church organization was willing to do.
You guys had thousands of years to step up and help people. You failed repeatedly. Now we have gov't assistance that actually does the job. We have welfare because you failed. Because you really only want to help friends and family and people who think like you. Your churches can't hardly do that either. That's why so many of you are quite willing to take unemployment checks when you lose your jobs. The government helps Americans better than you.
You lie when you say churches could "take over" welfare. That is a huge LIE.
@Moore "All the religious people in the USA already proved that "churches" are totally unable and unwilling to help people with any kind of consistency or effectiveness.""
=>"Political affiliation is almost irrelevent – the statistics for religious liberals and religious conservaties are identical. Religious people are statistically more likely to give than secularists (91% to 66%), and give more of their money (3.5 times more than secularists), are more likely to volunteer their time (67% to 44%), and volunteer more of their time (almost twice as much). The fact that the conservative population is more charitable than the liberal population is due to the fact that religious people tend to be politically conservative. "
– http://www.amazon.com/Who-Really-Cares-Compasionate-Conservatism/dp/0465008216
your statement doesn't correlate with reality well..
So? That issue has never gotten in your way, Chard.
Chard, go join Chris on the Stupid Bench.
The Chard blows: The fact that the conservative population is more charitable than the liberal population is due to the fact that religious people tend to be politically conservative. "
-----–
Nah. It's due to the fact that the right-wingnuts only want to give money to those of whom they approve and with whom they agree, not to those in need who might not fit their views as "deserving". That's why they object to increasing taxes: because they want their money to go to people they like, not just anyone who is in need.
Tom, so you think socialism is the best way. Worked wonderfully for the USSR.
Chad, those numbers are fake. Sorry.
Quoting something you scrambled for on Amazon is nothing less than sheer desperation on your part. When you understand how people like to lie, you find it to be quite widespread.
Open your eyes and be honest for once in your sorry life. You don't know anything. You need to learn.
o
o
fred, the USSR was a totallitarian state. They didn't even use comm.un.ism or socialism. A bunch of despots ran the country. There is no place for despots in either communism or socialism.
Why not read up on it? The truth doesn't have to keep kicking you in the teeth if you'd just study these things before you open your mouth. Jesus, or rather those who wrote about him, advocated socialism. Why are you against helping people?
If you don't want any help yourself, why don't you just kill yourself right now. Otherwise someone will want to help you with your mental illness and I guess you don't want that.
It always amazes me when supposed Christians argue against helping other people.
Why live a lie? Quit following Jesus if you don't like helping people. Fraud and hypocrisy make for strange bedfellows.
Moore "Chad, those numbers are fake. Sorry."
lol
Always amazed at how much more faith atheists have than Christians. A faith that endures dispute all factual evidence to the contrary!
Nah... Just try and google some of our founding fathers quotes regarding religion and try again...
So I assume that, because so many people here want churches to pay taxes, that ALL private organizations must pay taxes.. that includes all the liberal nonprofits.. not called churches.. but they follow their ideology (No mattter how misguided) and fund thier candidates (No matter how disconnected from reality) and lobby congress just the same.....
that ALL 501C3 organizations be forced to pay taxes.
In fact, lets take it to the logical conclusion: If ANY two Americans get together and pool their money for ANY purpose, lets TAX it into oblivion!!!
Get real folks.
You won't know until you try it right?
Just like those who urge to try "my religion" and witness god for themselves? Then why doesn't the government remove the right to exempt all and have different taxation levels. Go figure that proposing to remove all religious inst-i-tutions the right at tax exemptions leads the "religious victims" to cry foul. Use empty reasoning factors to convince that it is not feasible.. it's a joke.
Let's see the religious sponsor this own proposal on their own. Let them really guide the nation.
Nah. Let's just tax churches. They've been skating by for a long time now. Leave charities and organizations that don't worship mythological creatures alone. Tax them until they're bankrupt. Get rid of these eyesores all over the place and give the land back to the communities they suck the blood from.
People always protest new taxes, so I'm sure any such measure would be protested by all parties.. Liberal and conservative.. in fact there are a few cases like this where their lawyers joined forces.
Anyway, My point is this, churches should not be singled out as the only gathering of private people who must pay taxes. And If we make churches pay taxes.. what qualifies? I have friends who have a "House Church" a gathering of 15 people, who pool resources and plan things. Can't you see the absurdity of it?
Your getting into freedom of association here.
@Bob's Friend
"And If we make churches pay taxes.. what qualifies?"
That is the definition that has to be decided upon. That is the issue. For you to state one example, befitting your point of view, to not propose a clean break of exempting the churches is an ideology of your support solely because of your faith.
How about this? A church is a consecrated area right? Then have the government issue a certificate of verification of consecrated land. Any property herein that is built on consecrated land is to be taxed.? That's just right off the top of my head. People in law can just as easily throw off ideas .. have them discussed.
Because religious organizations are not accountable to the citizens who subsidize them. If churches engage in charitable work that benefits the community, do all citizens have an interest in supporting such endeavors with, say, various tax exemptions? Of course. This is the sound basis for tax exemptions for non-profit organizations, whose activities and finances are subject to IRS audit and public scrutiny. In the case of religious organizations, however, the books are closed.
Non-church groups receiving tax exemptions must annually file a detailed 990 statement itemizing where the money has gone. The IRS automatically waives the 990 requirement for churches.
So what if churches do not engage in charitable work? Or do so far less efficiently, effectively – or charitably – than the many non-profits or government programs we do not subsidize in this way? Religious organizations can and do take great advantage of their tax-free status. Many amass great wealth and vast media empires – all of it off the tax rolls. The point is that religious organizations can and do espouse doctrines of intolerance and hatred, filter funds to foreign enemies, and cause far more harm than good in their communities. They are nevertheless entirely tax-exempt, their finances never scrutinized, because they qualify as "religious organizations."
Tax-exempt status is a privilege – not a right – and churches should be held to the same standards as other non-profits – if not higher standards.
Bobs friend, you are obviously having fun taking things to a ridiculous conclusion.
Here's the thing: Churches as businesses, churches that file taxes, churches that employ people using docu.mentation, etc.
and every organization that is big enough to do these things, including the ACLU, Habitat for Humanity, and everyone like that - should pay their fair share of taxes.
Your "home "church" nonsense is not even a business. Small unofficial gatherings, etc. are always exempt from taxes because it would be ridiculous to levy a tax on a single transaction that is neither businesslike nor official.
I hope you understand where I'm coming from. A tax lawyer I am not, but if you file, you should pay unless you truly are under the poverty level or something like that.
Just trying to be fair all around.
Because the founders got it right. These thoughtful men were conscentious students of history, many of them witnessing firsthand the bloody devastation wrought wherever religion entangled itself with government on foreign shores – and our own. The founders saw that without a strict separation between religion and government, the same tragedy would inevitably be replayed here.
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries." -James Madison
Because it is fundamentally unjust. Not all religious organizations enjoys tax breaks, only those our government deems legitimate. Is government in the business of deciding what is or is not a legitimate religion? Doesn't every instance where government makes such a determination amount to "respecting an establishment of religion?" Should the taxes of non-religious citizens be higher to subsidize every church, synagogue, and mosque in town? Should working women pay taxes to subsidize clergy and other employees' paychecks, when such positions are overwhelmingly – and legally – restricted to men?
The current scheme is unfair and unnecessary. Churches can and should pay taxes, just like everybody else.
So once again we have solid legal adherent rules being posted. Sound logical arguments and the religious side is simply a beacon of whining – "it's not fair to lose our privelege."
Like in all cases where people do know what they are talking about the religious just simply plug their ears.
Here's something god would never do.... respond to an email or make a phone call. You know, because the man in the clouds is too busy not existing.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/22/tech/innovation/jobs-excerpt-customer-service/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
By the way, I believe churches should be singled out. They're nothing more than fallacy organizations that take money from people.
@God(*&^%#$
"Because religious organizations are not accountable to the citizens who subsidize them. "
Unlike the government, who enforces collection of money by threat of imprisonment, any church member can leave the church and stop send $ .. even if they don't like the paint color., or for no reason whatsoever. In fact, many members join the church and pay nothing at all. It is a totally free choice. Unlike Islam, Christians can leave the church without fear of beheading or other such violence.
– The relationship between church and state;
Yes, they want to be able to influence the government. This should not be allowed to happen.
– Civil rights and liberties for religious and other minorities;
Except no civil rights for people they think that shouldn't have civil rights. For no other reason then they've been told that's the way it is.
– Bioethics and life issues, including abortion, capital punishment and end-of-life issues;
Based on nonsense and "it tells me so". Sorry, ideas are valid only when reality supports them, not when someone merely asserts they're correct.
– Family/marriage issues, including definition of marriage, domestic violence and fatherhood initiatives.
As they define. You cannot have a family that they don't approve of. Because they believe they're absolutely correct. Those are the most dangerous people of all.
Christians:
Pray for Bob!
He has still not fully grasped the concept of a free society.. Pray that he understands that people of any kind can advocate for ideas, even if he dislikes the idea. Pray that he understands that being religious does not disqualify one from talking to his congressman, nor do religious people have any fewer rights than the non-religious.
In fact it was religious people who put in place these ideas of freedom in the first place.
And Pray that God would open his eyes to the truth of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.! AMEN!!
"In fact it was religious people who put in place these ideas of freedom in the first place."
The fact afterwards is what needs to be considered. The fact now is – religion wants to dominate in all forms of civil control.
Why don't you see religion taking it's hands off the control? One thing only – fear.
Fear of losing control. Fear of losing control to assert dogma. Fear to relinquish an old outdated idealism – that they are the center for all that is pure and good. Fear of the young – changing the world view where once old men had power.
Oh yeah. A bunch of slave-trading religious folks gave us freedom of religion. Now I remember, jesus said, "Thou shalt buy as many slaves as you can afford, and beat them while you praise me." I think that was in the book Matthew or Luke Perry.
Thank god we were given the freedom to worship whatever version of the tooth fairy someone made up. It sure does make a difference.
@ Answer:
Atheists want to dominate, GOP wants to dominate, Dems want to dominate, religions want to dominate .
The simple fact is that everyone is advocating for what they believe in and there is nothing wrong with that. Let everyone who has ideas put them forth, lets vote on them in a civil way without pumping up the fear mongering.
Politics is war by other means, but if we keep demonizing each other, we are unworthy of our republic, and will end up with the Old World System... Might makes Right.
Re idealism: I think those on the left are more idealistic than Christians: At least Christians take an honest look at history and conclude that man is obviously incapable of building heaven on earth. But it's the left wing dogmatic idealists.. dare I say fundamentalists, who have a blind faith ....with no evidence to back it up,....that man will make some "Great Society" They keep trying to construct politcal / economic systems that ultimately crash and result in vast human misery.
It's not bad to have an ideal, but one has to recognize human limits.. man IS corrupt! "All have fallen short of the Glory of God"
Christians: Pray for Answer!!! That God would open his eyes! Amen!!!
Just don't bother hoping those prayers will be answered. Because they won't be. There is no god, and prayers don't get answered. If you think they do, prove it.
@Bob's friend
Idiot.
Go and pray all you want. I won't accept your stupid pleas nor sponsor you in your illusions. If it serves your own ego that you want to see yourself as superiors then that is your conclusion. You may as well go ahead and condemn also. That's your next bit when you lose in your arguments. Your kind always do. I will always expect it. Along with the words "hell" "blind" "deceived" and whatever label you want to assert. To you who want to see yourself as the morally high persona go ahead. Do whatever it pleases you. I always ignore your stupid phrase and quotes.
> Christians: Pray for Bob!
I doubt magical incantations will do much. But you're more then welcome to try. Here, I'll help you out.. Oooga booga boo, our God's going to show you. Ooga booga fell, submit or you're going to hell.
> He has still not fully grasped the concept of a free society.
Actually, you haven't grasped the concept of a free society because we do not live in one. We are not totally free. We have certain things imposed upon us. For example, laws and regulations. We cannot steal, smoke pot or lie when we're told not to. These are good things, don't get me wrong, but we're not living in a free society.
The const-itution provies guarentees for individual freedoms from the government, which of course we wouldn't need if we lived in a free society. These concepts trump individual wants or desires if they are in conflict. For example, 95% of the population can think that everyone should be Muslim, but freedom of religion trumps their desire. It's in that context that I have made some of my comments.
> Pray that he understands that people of any kind can advocate for ideas, even if he dislikes the idea.
I never once said that you are not allowed to express your ideas. I'm saying that we shouldn't act upon them if their foundation is nonsense.
> Pray that he understands that being religious does not disqualify one from talking to his congressman, nor do religious people have any fewer rights than the non-religious.
However, ideas that are religous in nature are not allowed to be enacted by your congressman. For example, a day of national prayer to Allah. That wouldn't be allowed. That's my whole point.
> In fact it was religious people who put in place these ideas of freedom in the first place.
So what, a good idea from a religious person is still a good idea. A bad idea from a religious person is still a bad idea. The fact that religious people thought of good ideas is no more a boon to religious people then saying that religious people also tortured, so it's a negative to all religious people. You need to work on your critical thinking.
> And Pray that God would open his eyes to the truth of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.! AMEN!!
The Gospel of Jesus is demonstratably fabricated, wrong and made up. You'd know this if you bothered to actually read and critically examine the book you revere.
this is my screen name so bug off dude
i love your name, nearly as much as i love my name – you have seen firefly right? and THEN the movie?
I didn't ask for your opinion.
some people juggle geese!
You should try juggling grenades. Annoying ponce.
When religious organizations start paying taxes, they can do what they want with their money. Until then, we have no business subsidizing them to help get almost $400 million taxfree.
A-ME... uh – I agree!
Makes sense religious groups have increased lobbying 5 fold in Washington. The pressure from republicans to promote death has gone up 5 fold. Death from lack of healthcare, wars, executions, killing protesters, and letting the puppies burn.
Fully agree.....
To quote an ex catholic priest. (rough quote)
"If we were dropping Contraceptives over Vietnam, the church would have decried the war immediately".
The moral of that story – look else where for moral authority.
hell yeah down with everything dude
Whoever you are, please get your own user name and stop using mine.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS RELIGION YOU ARE BORN IN A HOLE AND YOU DIE IN ONE NOTHING ELSE
THATS WHY I DONT BELIEVE IN MARRIGE NO RESPECT FOR PEOPLE NO MANNERS NO CULTURE NO RULE MULTIPLE PARTNERS DO WHAT YOU WANT YOUR HERE TO LIVE AND DIE DO WHAT EVER COMES TO MIND
i argee with this guy live and die stuff doing what i want
i think ill go cheat on my wife tonight
right on
How sad it is that you are still at the beginner level of Christs teachings.
That you need a preacher, a book, a temple to remind you of his simple message.
That you feel that without the threat of hell, you are free to cause harm to your creators universe.
That all others share you nihilistic view if they are without faith.
That you are the center of the moral universe in that your pleasure is all that is good everything else is relative to that.
You are the sheep that required a sheppard to keep you from inflicting your own self harm.
Sorry buddy but I'm an atheist and apparently I'm at the advanced level of his teachings. Organized religion's professed authority on morals bears false witness to history.
APPERENTLY I DONT GIVE A CRAP WHAT LEVEL OF TEACHING MONKEY MAN ARE YOU GOING TO STUFF RELIGION DOWN MY THOAT TO
Earl, If you're trying to do an impression of an atheist at least use proper grammar, or even a period here or there. Your uneducated ramblings make you look more like a Christian.
so let me get this straight. you can build a church anywhere you want. you can believe in anything you want. you can pray anywhere you want. you can even build schools around your religion if you get it accredited. and no one will come and tell you you can't. ever.
and that's not enough? some of you people want to force your religion on others? it's not enough for you at some level? you want to force – FORCE – your god on me?
why? why isn't that enough for you? if i was a believer i'd think that was pretty darn good. i can believe away and nobody is going to come in the middle of the night and haul be away because of it. no state sponsored religion is going to stop me from believing what i want to believe. and i'm not going to be able to get a bunch of people together and stop others from believing what they want to believe.
and that's not enough for you?
They not only want it all and want total control over our country, they want everything both ways. They are the new Nazis of our times. Even the Jewish lobbyists. This nation uses secular laws to function. Bribery to further the illegal aims of religious groups is, well, blatantly illegal, yet you won't see anyone addressing this "in your face" issue because the government is corrupt beyond anything we have had before.
Nobody is pointing to their crimes beyond a small paragraph or article. Nobody is arresting these bribemongers for violating our laws. This country is getting worse all the time because of corruption. Religious corruption is often worse than other types because their agenda is inherently irrational.
I have a love hate relationship with religious groups. There are few and far between places that offer hot food to the homeless and recycled goods to the poor. Few and far between state agencys that do this. There is more need for these places then what the state has to offer so thats a good thing they do. But I think thats where they should draw the line. We do need separation of church and state or we will end up like the middle east! ugh dont want a reverand as the leader of the world soorryyy. Wish there was a place that taught just ethics that could be made into a place that just talked about ethics where people would meet "like a church" I would so go to it. Where the focus would be on helping humanity not focused around a God or holidays that they made up-- you all know jesus was not born on dec 25th it was made up by the church just as a day cause they didnt know the real date.
Agreed. I am an athiest but don't go for "do whatever you want because it doesn't matter." What we do or don't do has an effect on the country, the world, and on future generations. I was raised Christian but my kids have not been. I would love an "ethics school" comparable to "Sunday school". But in its absence, I teach my kids the importance of compassion, respect (including respecting the earth/environment), and courage.
If they have that much money to lobby then let them pay taxes. That will help lower the deficit.
I HELP BY SAYING THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS RELIGION YOU ARE BORN IN A HOLE AND YOU DIE IN ONE NOTHING ELSE
THATS WHY I DONT BELIEVE IN MARRIGE NO RESPECT FOR PEOPLE NO MANNERS NO CULTURE NO RULE MULTIPLE PARTNERS DO WHAT YOU WANT YOUR HERE TO LIVE AND DIE DO WHAT EVER COMS TO MIND
Churches are simply all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Actually, that is just about all the United States is about as well.
Great.
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR GodofLunaticsCreation HIS RELIGOUS JEW WAYS ARE TAXING AMERICA
Earl, dude, I thought we'd made progress with this caps lock issue of yours.
NO NOT REALLY LOL
Im not Jewish but I have many Jewish friends. I have to say that no self respecting Jew should want to stand with a religion that has persecuted them for thousands of years (Christianity).
Can we start taxing the hell out of churches to get some of our debt back!
The Catholic church has enough money to eliminate our entire National debt. That is why they are against any form of birth control – so that they can just have more Catholics paying money to the church.
Time to pull the tax exempt status for any religious organization found to be lobbying Congress.
Thank you. Someone who is in reality!
what an excellent idea!!!
Dennis, you are spot on correct! They don't deserve this preferential tax treatment, as shown by their actions at every turn.
TAX CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, MOSQUES, ETC....!!!
GodofLunaticsCreationYOUR THE PUPPET IN OUR GAME THE BLOG, WE SEE YOU FUNNY LITTLE MAN WE SEE YOU ALWAYS NOT BEFORE YOU CHUG A LOAD OF H8TERADE SPONSER BY RELIGON TAXING AMERICA
LMFAO 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Please tell me you don't have a GED. If you do, you are living proof of our failing education system.
Most of the posters here are so agenda driven and blinded by their ideology and simple hatred of religion they are irrational. They will state any irrationality to try to force their views on others.
Back at ya, epicjourney. I don't hate believers, just don't want to live by their rules since I don't believe the same things. Is that asking too much?
Some of the posters here are so agenda driven and blinded by their ideology and blind faith in religion they are irrational. They will state any irrationality to try to force their views on others.
See what I did there?
EpicJourney. You fail to understand that our response is due to the fact that we, including yourself, are currently living under the oppression of religion. Once it stops and returns to it's proper place we will be much more tolerant. In other words, I have no problem with people owning guns but if they start sticking them in my face, I might get a tad upset.
I don't hate religion, and I don't hate those who believe. I DO object to those who foist their beliefs on me and attempt to take away the rights guaranteed me under the Consti t ution by claiming they are only doing what their Jesus commands.
Tom, let's face facts, shall we? You hate everyone that doesn't agree with your views. All I have to do is look at one or two of your comments, most of which contain name calling or some other insult. You're far worse than any right-wing conservative Jesus-love-making nutjob from Montana I've seen yet on these blogs. If someone doesn't agree with your precious views, you call them an idiot. That says a lot about your character.
> Tom, let's face facts, shall we? You hate everyone that doesn't agree with your views.
No, he disagrees with views that he knows the rationale behind. For christian views, it's concepts based on what a book tells you without any supporting evidence. Ie, stupidity. It's totally rational to hate stupid ideas that are being thrust upon society.
> All I have to do is look at one or two of your comments, most of which contain name calling or some other insult.
Yes, because it's valid to discern someone's motivations based on one or two text writings.
> You're far worse than any right-wing conservative Jesus-love-making nutjob from Montana I've seen yet on these blogs.
Actually he's not. The reason he's not is that he's providing evidence for his position. He may be right, he may be wrong. But at least he's trying to engage in meaningful conversation. The nutjobs assert they're right because they believe they're right. Which is in fact moronic.
> If someone doesn't agree with your precious views, you call them an idiot. That says a lot about your character.
Perhaps you should re-read what he does. I think you're misinterpreting what he's saying. And you are an idiot if you think the reasonable way to live your life is by what someone or something dictates to you without supporting evidence to show you why it's required.
Poor little fred/herbie. So sad for you.
There is no room for religion in politics. It does not matter what religion someone is! What is wrong with people. what does religion have to do with our deficit or job growth in America. Actually religion should be banned! Haven't enough people died and been hurt from stupid fake religions. You all stink if you care and believe in gods, trolls, dieties goblins and any other fictional make believe character.
When we talk about the nation and the direction, I do not believe that our leaders should be thumbing its nose up at God and shaking thier fists like the rest of the country s doing, saying, "We dont want you". We have already allowed pray out of our schools, out of our public places, like marriage, kids, work, school, There is room for the direction of God to lead us, lead this nation into something it was, and should be. The reasons why our marriages fail, the reason why our banks fail, why our homes fail, why our churches fail... God is not the center of them anymore, we allow just enough and we cut him of and say thats enough God... when we learn to seek God in everything and follow His direction in all things, we will then know of true peace in tis country, our leaders will be Godly, our schools will be Godly, our homes, work places, and our lives will be Godly... but if that was the case then the end times we were living in would not be carried out for the grand scheme of it all..
You should be locked up in a insane asylum for that garbage you just wrote! Who thinks like that. Yeah lets be just like Iran and get a fake god involved. You are the problem with people voting on stupid views that have nothing to do with what is going on in our country. Do not vote, please do us all a favor and just pray to your fake diety!
So you want to shove you god down everyone throats whether they believe in a God or not? That is the problem with people like you and your religious beliefs. Why can't you worship your god on Sundays, keep your values and a daily basis and stop trying to shove your religion beliefs on others.
I believe in myself and reason. Try being reasonable for one second. I did not tell you my religious beliefs or shove them down your throat. Try reading more carefully next time. Religious people have tunneled minded views and that is a fact. My point is to leave religion out of politics, so if it makes you fell better to pray to Mickey Mouse on Sunday, feel free. Religious books do not relate to modern day. This season celebrate reasoon!
Nope, nope, nope. People should put their loved ones first, not god. You know why they tell you to put god first? So you'll give them money!! The most religious people are also usually the worst people.
Which version of god, Chris? Christian? But what if the jews are right? Or the muslims? What then?
Do you truly not understand the logic behind keeping one's personal beliefs private and separate from the laws governing a country that was founded on freedom of religion? Is that really such a difficult concept? You're so sure that your beliefs are the true ones and everyone who doesn't share those beliefs is wrong? Really? Wow.
You are an idiot, Chris. Schools do NOT prohibit prayer. They never have. What they DON'T do is force everyone to pray the prayer YOU want.
Guess what, dumbazz? No one is required to pray to YOUR god just because you think they should and NO ONE is keeping you from doing so.
Idiots like you are just plain sickening. You LIE in your vain attempts to force your version of god on others. Shut yer trap and pray silently, you moron. That's what you were commanded to do in the first place.
Not only are you stupid, Chris-you're uneducated and borderline illiterate. I have no time for dipwads like you. Why should I? I want this country to rise above the dreck you represent.
Oh, here Tom goes yet again with the insults and name-calling. VERY mature and educated. Why are you so angry? Why are you so full of hate? Are you irritated because no one cares about what you have to say so you feel you need to lash out? Boo hoo, someone else has different views than you and you can't take it. Waaaaaaah. Call the Waaaaaaaaaaaahmbulance. Want some french cries with that?
Can't communicate without insults.
Unable to handle the fact others have different views.
Negative as humanly possible ALL the time.
Temper tantrums in nearly every post.
There's a word to describe Tom.
> Oh, here Tom goes yet again with the insults and name-calling. VERY mature and educated.
Actually, it is a reasonable response to say "You're being stupid" or "You're a moron". Because the only reasonable response to silly, nonsensical ideas is one of ridicule.
> Why are you so angry? Why are you so full of hate?
Why do you project feelings onto someone you don't know on the basis of a few text responses to other people. Do you think that analysis of what he's feeling is accurate? It's quite stupid of you to do this.
> Are you irritated because no one cares about what you have to say so you feel you need to lash out?
Again, how do you know he's irritated?
> Boo hoo, someone else has different views than you and you can't take it. Waaaaaaah. Call the Waaaaaaaaaaaahmbulance. Want some french cries with that?
This is just sad. Is this supposed to be funny or clever?
Can't communicate without insults.
Unable to handle the fact others have different views.
Negative as humanly possible ALL the time.
Temper tantrums in nearly every post.
There's a word to describe Tom.
Yeah, there's another word for me-truthful. Any nincompoop stupid enough to bray that prayer is prohibited in public schools is in fact a complete and utter moron.
Don't like being called names? Stop writing crap that's false, freddy et al. If you have to lie to support your claims about god, they must be mighty lame.