Religious Bigotry

[ecco]

It is my observation that we are going backwards in this area, & are returning to a Dark Ages style of mandated conformity. The official State Religion has become dominant, & they are censoring any alternatives to their belief system.

It has been my observation, that the religio/philosophical ideology of Progressivism (with an emphasis on atheistic naturalism) has taken over as the Official State Belief.

The Official State Belief is Christianity (with an occasional nod to Judaism):

• In God we Trust is on our currency
• In God we Trust is emblazoned behind judges benches
• Christian prayers are said before sporting events like the Daytona 500
• God Bless American is sung before many sporting events
• Under God was added to our Pledge of Allegiance and has not been removed

 

[SalixIncendium]

You mean like Voudon? I find it acceptable that the practice their religion as long as they aren't overtly cruel to the chicken or goat they sacrifice

I struggle to understand how one can rationalize that it acceptable to take the life of an animal in the name of religion, but unacceptable to indoctrinate another human in the name of religion.

Not for me to judge. I just don't understand the logic.

 

[usfan]

They believed they were no longer under the dictates of the Roman Catholic Church or the Divine Right of Kings and answered to God only

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen. -Martin Luther

 

[The Reverend Bob]

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen. -Martin Luther

And with that Europe threw off the shackles of Theocracy and Absolute Monarchism

 

[usfan]

The Official State Belief is Christianity (with an occasional nod to Judaism):

• In God we Trust is on our currency
• In God we Trust is emblazoned behind judges benches
• Christian prayers are said before sporting events like the Daytona 500
• God Bless American is sung before many sporting events
• Under God was added to our Pledge of Allegiance and has not been removed

Seriously?
1. Sporting events are private, not govt established.
2. Christianity is not established by govt or any State institutions. References to 'God!' are traditional, archaic, and have been the increasing target of bitter opposition from anti-christian activists.
3. Progressive ideology, with the emphasis on atheistic naturalism, IS established and mandated by the state, as the ONLY APPROVED BELIEF, regarding origins and the nature of the universe.
4. Court cases and legislation have, for a century or more, reflected this transition from sympathetic to hostile, wrt Christianity.

 

[PureX]

Bigotry is the problem, not the particular scapegoat it happens to choose, or the form of self-righteousness it adopts. Humans seem to like to make themselves feel smarter, better, and more important than other humans. They want their "us" to stand apart from, and be superior to,"them". And most any means of differentiation will suffice in that pursuit.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

The Official State Belief is Christianity (with an occasional nod to Judaism):

• In God we Trust is on our currency
• In God we Trust is emblazoned behind judges benches
• Christian prayers are said before sporting events like the Daytona 500
• God Bless American is sung before many sporting events
• Under God was added to our Pledge of Allegiance and has not been removed

Oh really? Have you ever been to the Capitol?

We have this on the ceiling of the rotunda:

The Apotheosis of Washington - Wikipedia

And the official Congressional chapel nary a cross can be seen, instead there is an altar to George Washington under which we have the inscription "Preserve me, O God, for in thee do I put my trust" and tons of Masonic symbology.

 

[usfan]

Oh really? Have you ever been to the Capitol?

We have this on the ceiling of the rotunda:

The Apotheosis of Washington - Wikipedia

And the official Congressional chapel nary a cross can be seen, instead there is an altar to George Washington under which we have the inscription "Preserve me, O God, for in thee do I put my trust" and tons of Masonic symbology.

Yes. Vague allusions to 'an unknown god' are part and parcel of progressive ideology. No biblical Christianity is allowed, though.

 

[JJ50]

"We" do not. And kinda. But I'm not talking about eating animals (unless you are stating that eating animals is a religious practice).

I'm not speaking exclusively about food. There are religions that sacrifice and/or abuse animals. Is that acceptable to you?

I think it is rather crazy to kill animals merely as a religious sacrifice, unless they are going to eat the things afterwards. If they do kill them they should try to do it as painlessly as possible.

 

[usfan]

And with that Europe threw off the shackles of Theocracy and Absolute Monarchism

Luther's famous quote at the Diet of Worms is a snapshot of the reformation.. sola scriptura, anti elitism, and freedom of conscience are all mentioned in that one quote.

Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Yes. Vague allusions to 'an unknown god' are part and parcel of progressive ideology. No biblical Christianity is allowed, though.

Just remember there are a few good progressives too. Us ethical progressives with our street smarts keep the alleys safer. Lol.

 

[David T]

What about animals or other forms of life?

They only exist because we believe they exist silly!!! Or dont believe they exist... Or are agnostic that they exist. Generally the details of that are open for debate..

 

[ecco]

The Official State Belief is Christianity (with an occasional nod to Judaism):

• In God we Trust is on our currency
• In God we Trust is emblazoned behind judges benches
• Christian prayers are said before sporting events like the Daytona 500
• God Bless American is sung before many sporting events
• Under God was added to our Pledge of Allegiance and has not been removed

Seriously?

Yes, seriously.

1. Sporting events are private, not govt established.

Sporting events are often supported with tax dollars.

2. Christianity is not established by govt or any State institutions. References to 'God!' are traditional, archaic, and have been the increasing target of bitter opposition from anti-christian activists.

References to God are indeed archaic. I'll agree with that. What
"bitter opposition from anti-christian activists" are you referring to? Perhaps you'd like to show some evidence instead of just assertions.

3. Progressive ideology, with the emphasis on atheistic naturalism, IS established and mandated by the state, as the ONLY APPROVED BELIEF, regarding origins and the nature of the universe.

What is "atheistic naturalism"? If you are referring to nature, you should be advised that atheists are not the only people who enjoy nature. If you are referring to the teaching of evolution in schools, then you should be advised that atheists are not the only people who believe in evolution.

If you want religion taught in schools, I'm all for that.

If you want the Judeo/Christian "in the beginning" taught, then I'm sure you would be OK with also teaching the Hindu, Apache, Kuba, and many of the Chinese Creation myths.

Let's have High Schools Juniors debate the nonsense of the flood and all the cute giraffe's heads sticking out of the top of the ark.

Let's teach Islam and Hinduism and Scientology and talking in tongues and worshiping snakes and...and...

4. Court cases and legislation have, for a century or more, reflected this transition from sympathetic to hostile, wrt Christianity.

More assertions - no evidence.


Also, I see you ignored:

• In God we Trust is on our currency
• In God we Trust is emblazoned behind judges benches
• Under God was added to our Pledge of Allegiance and has not been removed

 

[usfan]

Just remember there are a few good progressives too. Us ethical progressives with our street smarts keep the alleys safer. Lol.

I'm not criticizing any individual, but addressing 'ideology'.
I also make no moral judgments about good or bad. These are the indicators of our cultural transition from a Christian dominant society to a progressive one.

 

[columbus]

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen. -Martin Luther

I'd agree with all of that, myself.
The difference being that I was quite differently convicted by Scripture.
Probably because I know more than Luther did, having several more centuries of human experience to draw on.
Tom

 

[ecco]

Oh really? Have you ever been to the Capitol?

We have this on the ceiling of the rotunda:

The Apotheosis of Washington - Wikipedia

Whoever painted that either had a great sense of humor or was imparting some deep secretive meanings.

What is Mercury giving to Madison?
Why is Jupiter riding a chariot?
Why is there a nude cherub riding a dolphin?
Trumps (long trumpets - not Der Donald)?
The inner circle of women around GW is reminiscent of...

And the official Congressional chapel nary a cross can be seen, instead there is an altar to George Washington under which we have the inscription "Preserve me, O God, for in thee do I put my trust" and tons of Masonic symbology.

That was then, this is now. Then, many who originally sat in Congress and the Presidency were Deistic Masons. Now, most are Christian. It was not Deistic Masons who inserted "under God" in the Pledge.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

Whoever painted that either had a great sense of humor or was imparting some deep secretive meanings.

What is Mercury giving to Madison?
Why is Jupiter riding a chariot?
Why is there a nude cherub riding a dolphin?
Trumps (long trumpets - not Der Donald)?
The inner circle of women around GW is reminiscent of...

That was then, this is now. Then, many who originally sat in Congress and the Presidency were Deistic Masons. Now, most are Christian. It was not Deistic Masons who inserted "under God" in the Pledge.

Wait to you see the Altar at the Capitol Chapel before you make judgement as to which God they are referring to.

By U.S. Government - http://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/chaplain_brochure.pdf, Public Domain, File:Capitol Prayer Room stained glass window.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Right under the All Seeing Eye of God is the statement "This Nation under God", I don't think it refers to the Christian God

 

[ecco]

These are the indicators of our cultural transition from a Christian dominant society to a progressive one.

Changing from 6000 year old beliefs and 2000 year old beliefs is indeed a sign of progress.

We are progressing from accepting slavery to eliminating it.
We are progressing from killing the young sons of fallen enemies to allowing them to live.
We are progressing from keeping women subservient to men to accepting them as equals.

I could go on and on and on, but you get the point.


Nah, you don't.

 

[ecco]

Wait to you see the Altar at the Capitol Chapel before you make judgement as to which God they are referring to.

By U.S. Government - http://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/chaplain_brochure.pdf, Public Domain, File:Capitol Prayer Room stained glass window.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Right under the All Seeing Eye of God is the statement "This Nation under God", I don't think it refers to the Christian God

Thanks. Your posts have been very informative. Seriously.

However, I don't know when those items were commissioned. There are those who believe...

One Nation Under God: George Washington
The father of our nation was quiet about his Christian faith. But there can be no doubt his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was deep and heartfelt.
​

So Washington kneeling in prayer below a "One Nation Under God" icon seems more indicative of a Christian portrayal than a historical one. Especially since it quotes from Psalms. To me, it is a brazen example of Christian revisionism.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

Thanks. Your posts have been very informative. Seriously.

However, I don't know when those items were commissioned. There are those who believe...

One Nation Under God: George Washington
The father of our nation was quiet about his Christian faith. But there can be no doubt his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was deep and heartfelt.
​

So Washington kneeling in prayer below a "One Nation Under God" icon seems more indicative of a Christian portrayal than a historical one. Especially since it quotes from Psalms. To me, it is a brazen example of Christian revisionism.

But look at the stained glass, it suggests he is praying to the All Seeing Eye since he is kneeling beneath it. The All Seeing Eye is not a symbol of the Christian God in any way