6 July 2010, 12:57 pm
...the situation was reversed? Now, before we begin, let's get a few things straight: I do not feel Creationism (or 'Intelligent Design') should be taught in schools. I also do not feel that non-Christians should be given ANY 'guff' for not being Christian (for example- if someone gets fired for being an atheist, that is SO wrong.) And being called the 'agent of Satan' is just childish. Etc. That being said, there are other things that (it seems) a lot of people get upset about that I don't really 'get.' For instance: I know of people who complain of having religion 'shoved down their throat' when they sing God Bless America at ballgames. The way I see it, this is a Christian nation (I mean that ONLY in a cultural sense, you will never hear me argue that the Founders wanted some kind of New Jerusalem or something). If I were a Christian living in Turkey watching a soccer match, I would not be upset if they sang 'Allah Bless Turkey' during half-time. I would not be upset if I was graduating college in Delhi and the ceremonies ended with a prayer to Vishnu (I mean, I could just bow my head or whatever they do. Heck, my grandfather [who IS an atheist] has LEAD prayer during Christmas dinner. He's not getting upset.) I would not be upset if I were in Japan and they had Shinto stuff out in front of city hall because it was their big holiday that week. But, that's just me. Does this mean I think that, as a Christian, I have a right to force my values upon others via the law? NO. I just don't think THAT stuff is me forcing my values upon others. I see them as 'cultural' stuff. For example, if I were living in Dearborn, Michigan (if I remember correctly, they have a rather large Muslim population there for some reason), and they said, 'I think we should have Ramadan stuff up, too around Christmas,' I'd say, Fine! If some Christian said, 'I don't think so!', I'd stick with the Muslims. Am I fundamentally flawed for thinking like this? Remember: I've always been a 'live-and-let-live' kind-of-guy, and due to what my sister terms as 'blinders,' I always just assume everybody's doing what I do. If you could, please keep to topic. For example, nowhere did I mention the ultra-sticky issue of abortion. Let's keep it that way. And, to note: I would vote for a well-qualified atheist over a terrible Bush-type Christian for President (or whatever). @Splendind Ordinary- First, I am not pretending. When the Yankees sing 'God Bless America,' I highly doubt that there are Christians greedily rubbing their hands together, going 'Yes, yes... Destroy those who don't think like us!' @Green Eyes- No, I do not think Bush was a terrible President because he was Christian. His Christianity had NOTHING to do with it. @jtrusnik- Seems pretty reasonable to me. @scut-First of all, I don't see how anyone is 'forced' to sing, but to me, 'forced' means there would be punishment if you were found to not be singing. As for your own song, I'd be fine if it was an atheist nation. But 'I' wouldn't sing it, mostly because I just don't like singing (I don't sing 'God Bless America' at ballgames, either). @Green Eyes- I never said Obama was any good, either... @scut again- I'm sorry, but I just don't get it.... Read More »
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