The Black Vault

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D0gks3b4b0
Even eternally living demon boys need to worry who'se shoulder they tap, huh?

I watched Ben Stein's documentary. I believe Ben made it in response to Bill Maher's movie on this subject. I've seen Bill's movie too.

I can't believe just how much our govt gets involved with this issue. I'm truly for separation of church and state. Always have been. I think it's dangerous for any govt to force one line of spiritual thought in their country.

If we didn't have this separation, things could be a lot different in this country. Some Christians like that the govt gets involved. My view on that is this:

right now we have a lot of Christians in the country and in our govt. What happens when the day comes that, oh say, Scientology is the main belief system of many in govt?

If we don't have that separation, our govt could make laws banning all forms of religion except for Scientology. Most people look at things today, and don't see how bad not having this separation could be in the future.

I believe our founding fathers DID see this and that's why, even tho many of them were spiritual, they wanted to keep our govt separate from our spiritual organizations.

It's funny, but I've seen atheists very happy when our govt gets involved and knocks religion out of places. Those same atheists "claim" to be for separation. But, apparently, that isn't the case if the govt gets involved and makes a decision that favors religion. Then they start screaming about separation again.

To me that is just silly. And makes them hypocrites.

There was this case of a group of students who got together on their break at lunchtime and had Bible study. This was NOT sanctioned by any teacher nor school authority. There was no endorsement from the school at all. YET, this issue went to court and the court ruled the students COULD NOT have Bible study.

My issue with that is:

1) Each citizen should have the right to pray where ever we choose without interference from our govt. I don't care if it's a school, or federal/state/etc...building. Now, if a teacher led it or the school demanded it/endorsed it/chaperoned it, then it shouldn't happen. But students, on their own breaks, chose to use that time as Bible study. That right for freedom of religion was taken away by our govt getting involved.

Quite a few atheists openly applauded the govt's ruling. I say if you agree with the govt. banning students from exercising freedom of religion, then you can not in any way be FOR separation of Church and state.

2) As long as religion isn't endorsed by any govt body, then as individuals, we should be allowed to pray and read from the Bible ANYWHERE in this country.

We should have as much right to pray and read from the Bible in public as any atheist has NOT to pray or read the Bible.

Ben showed how the govt is getting involved in shaping how much freedom Americans have in this country.

Nice example and well said SmokinJoe; good post.

We should have as much right to pray and read from the Bible in public as any atheist has NOT to pray or read the Bible.

I agree

Does that include ALL religions?

yes, even Satanists, just as long as they are rspecting the rites(get it?) of others.

There is room for all.

but..you...know this

my main issue in life is deliberately, maliciously, causing another pain..just for the heck of it
it goes against my tastes (I feel that is a soul sickness/hurt that needs healing..hurt people, hurt people..Oprah fan, here)

but like you mentioned before..tastes..vary...and the world spins on

Well, what are a few hurt feelings in comparison to an eternity of playing nice?

there, you have it