Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: yard_man who wrote (33386)	12/23/2003 12:52:31 PM
From: Edscharp	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

tippet, First, a minor point, Secular Humanism is a philosophy not a religion. Nonetheless, I agree that the government should espouse no philosophy nor religion whatsoever. The one exception would be the obligation on the part of our government to espouse those ideals to which the constitution is based upon. And, as you well know, this too has it's pitfalls. State sponsorship of religion can take many forms. If, for instance, a public school allows a Priest or Minister into the class rooms to evangelize students its not far-fetched to conclude that the school, a government entity, is sponsoring and funding, the proselytizing of students. Obviously, there are individuals who work for government who are Christians and some who are secular humanists. They are entitled to their opinions, but they ought not to foist their views upon the unsuspecting. I don't mind if secular humanism or Christianity is taught in the school in an objective manner. Your point about the government being responsible for persecution of non-establishment religions is certainly true, but you've over-simplified a bit. In Europe, even to this day, there has been a cozy relationship between Church and State. Often, it was the church itself that coaxed the State into taking action against the non-believers, the heretics and reformers. It wasn't just government persecution, it was a two-way street. I thank you for your intelligent post. It's the first one I've seen on this thread.