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OK, let's try an example: Should gay marriage be outlawed because it offends a Christian minority of the population?So the dictionary defines my religious beliefs? Awfully arrogant of you.
Pure religion is to care for the poor and to deal with corruption.
That is the definition in the book of James, that is the Biblical definition.
Once again you are projecting your paranoia on others.
Yes, keep religion out of schools and politics. Preach your religion and rules to your family and friends.So my religious belief, a Christian definition, and one that could reasonably be expected to be shared by other legislators is to fight corruption. So you are saying that a candidate is should not campaign on that issue?
That has nothing to do with church. Most liberal I know care about these people. I see this lacking with Conservative Christians, That's why I like the democrat side.Another religious belief I and other Christians share is to care for widows and orphans. So if we pass a policy that benefits orphans and widows we shouldn't say that? Because something about the church?
Like I say . I want no part of religion in politics . They've done enough damage.My religious belief, defined by the NT, says nothing about the church. Why would the separation of church and state have anything to do with it? Actually, I see this policy of "separation of church and state" to be part of my religious belief, to fight corruption. Therefore my religious beliefs are written into the constitution.
So the dictionary defines my religious beliefs?
Awfully arrogant of you.
Don't know. I would support a democratic rule. I personally am against legalized prostitution, but see that Nevada legalizing it while NY criminalizes it is a constitutional compromise. The constitution says that any rights that are not specifically spelled out to be under Federal jurisdiction should be State's rights. I leave it up to each State to decide. If a person is offended by how their State votes, move.OK, let's try an example: Should gay marriage be outlawed because it offends a Christian minority of the population?
The Bible defines my religious belief. I have already stated that my "religious belief" is to help widows and orphans, and to fight corruption. I have also said that these principals inform my decisions, including who I vote for and what policies I support.No, but it defines the word "religion".
It's not that easy. A number of Christians have argued that having to tolerate the presence of gay married couples in the population violates their constitutional right to religious liberty. What is your position on that?Don't know. I would support a democratic rule. I personally am against legalized prostitution, but see that Nevada legalizing it while NY criminalizes it is a constitutional compromise. The constitution says that any rights that are not specifically spelled out to be under Federal jurisdiction should be State's rights. I leave it up to each State to decide. If a person is offended by how their State votes, move.
Same as what I already said.It's not that easy. A number of Christians have argued that having to tolerate the presence of gay married couples in the population violates their constitutional right to religious liberty. What is your position on that?
The dictionary does not define your religious BELIEFS, it defines the meaning of the word.So the dictionary defines my religious beliefs? Awfully arrogant of you. How very hypocritical of you, on one hand you cry about Christians trying to define your religious beliefs and on the other you impose your definition of religious beliefs on Christians.
You gave this dictionary definition in a previous post:The dictionary does not define your religious BELIEFS, it defines the meaning of the word.
Okay this is nuts--lets settle it. If an atheist believes in helping orphans and widows, and they want to end corruption, do you think that atheist is religious???You gave this dictionary definition in a previous post:
That is a personal definition inion that is non-standard. I don't agree at all.
When one defines religion in a way that everything becomes religion, they have lost the thread.
Religion Definition:
The definitive Oxford English Dictionary:
Other Dictionaries
Mirian Webster:
1. the service and worship of God or the supernatural
2. commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
Cambridge:
the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship
I have already said that using this definition the "system of my religious belief" is defined by the Bible, specifically the New Testament. If you use Jesus criteria that there are two laws that the entire religious system hangs on: then the system of my belief is to love God with my whole heart and to love my neighbor as myself.
These two criteria are neatly summarized by James whose definition is not specific to Christians but encompasses all religious beliefs. Caring for widows and orphans exemplifies loving my neighbor as myself, fighting corruption exemplifies my loving God with my whole heart and thus holding all powers that be as being under God's authority.
I have learned that atheists take exception to Christians defining them. So I will defer to their wishes. Let the Atheist define themselves and I'll define who I am.Okay this is nuts--lets settle it. If an atheist believes in helping orphans and widows, and they want to end corruption, do you think that atheist is religious???
Notice it is a yes or no question ?
You have special permission in this case from this atheist (don't worry I won't tell). Please answer my previous question--be brave:I have learned that atheists take exception to Christians defining them. So I will defer to their wishes. Let the Atheist define themselves and I'll define who I am.
Since you have given me special permission this reply only applies to you, not to any others, particularly not to those who have already made it clear they are tired of Christians talking about their morality.You have special permission in this case from this atheist (don't worry I won't tell). Please answer my previous question--be brave:
If an atheist believes in helping orphans and widows, and they want to end corruption, do you think that atheist is religious???
Notice it is a yes or no question ?
I will leave it to the spectators of this conversation to decide if they also think atheists are religious. I think they are clearly un-religious in most cases. Some might be Buddhists. I don't see how it helps furthering a rational discussion to say everyone is religious. When any term that attempt to define a specific set of characteristics is interpreted to include nearly every human, it losses all of its meaningSince you have given me special permission this reply only applies to you, not to any others, particularly not to those who have already made it clear they are tired of Christians talking about their morality.
So let's talk about you, there are mixed messages here.
1. You have said here and in a previous post that given this definition of what Pure religion is by James that would make you religious. So I am inclined to say "yes".
But,
2. You have also said clearly in a previous post that although this definition would define you as religious it isn't true because you aren't religious.
So, yes, the definition defines you as religious regardless of how much you hate to admit it.
On the contrary religion is uniquely human. The incredible thing about humans is that they are all religious, yet we don't see this trait in any other species.I will leave it to the spectators of this conversation to decide if they also think atheists are religious. I think they are clearly un-religious in most cases. Some might be Buddhists. I don't see how it helps furthering a rational discussion to say everyone is religious. When any term that attempt to define a specific set of characteristics is interpreted to include nearly every human, it losses all of its meaning
Oh, if you don't understand just ask. James described "pure religion". Once congress makes a law establishing a religion, making it a "State" religion, it is no longer pure. It has become spotted by the world. This is why James also says that pure religion is "unspotted by the world".Sometimes people will say that the universe is god. Well, under that definition, of course god exists. But you and I know that is rarely what people bean by God. They mean something different and more specific. Defining religion or religious people as those wanting to do good makes the same categorical error.
It helps your argument if I am religious too. But I'm not. Because in this discussion, for religion and the state to remain separate, that would be impossible. First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Your definition of religion would make that sentence unintelligible. Clearly a more standard and specific definition of religion is in mind.
You have special permission in this case from this atheist (don't worry I won't tell). Please answer my previous question--be brave:
If an atheist believes in helping orphans and widows, and they want to end corruption, do you think that atheist is religious???
Notice it is a yes or no question ?
No--wrong!!! Every continent had religious cultures and practices. That does n to mean every human on the earth is religious. In the modern West--religion is in decline.All humans are religious.
The Bible defines my religious belief. I have already stated that my "religious belief" is to help widows and orphans, and to fight corruption. I have also said that these principals inform my decisions, including who I vote for and what policies I support.
Why do you have an issue with that?
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