Christian Principles....

[Nerdsrock22]

Or in this case none of the above. Other posters didn't see the need to be as detailed. At least I was on base with my gross generalization. I didn't say "all eastern religions" in my post. And Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all abrahamic religion and all are connected in some way. I think I'm in the clear here.

To say that the three Abrahamic religions are "all the same thing" is incorrect: in practice, in history, and in eschatology.

It's obvious what you wanted to happen here. You throw out bait asking for a Christian to back up the widespread assertion that America was founded on Christian principles, some Christmas/Easter Christian shows up and rants how this is a Christian nation and that we've strayed too far, and then you bust out about how these "Christian principles" are really just innate moralities that were put into practice long before the Ten Commandments were obtained, the Bible was written, or the Constitution was drafted. Everyone is supposed to be in awe of this previously unknown historical tidbit, and happily converts to atheism. Checkpoint for evangelical atheists and Richard Dawkins.

But American isn't and never was a Christian nation. It's all a myth. American was founded by religious dissidents (Massachusetts) and economical opportunists (Virginia). Our government was crafted by 18th century liberal Enlightened thinkers. Along with westward expansion (see Turner's thesis), that's America. That's all it is. Everything you are so passionate against (public prayer, the war against gays, etc.) isn't even Christianity, but rather a corrupted American civil religion reinforced by lazy Americans and opportunistic right wing politicians and talking heads.

If you want to know what Christian principles are, read the "Sermon on the Mount". That passage pretty much sums it up. Anything you see that doesn't mesh with that IS NOT CHRISTIAN. It's really not that complicated.

[Bamboozler]

I don't believe .blank cd's intent is to convert people to aethism. I believe he is playing "devil's advocate." He is forcing you and many others to view the question from a different angle than most are familiar with. His statement on the Abrahamic religions being similar is based in some fact but to say it in absolution would be an extremely false statement. I agree with your view on the founding of America for the most part but the fights you mention about public prayer and gay rights are all being waged by Christian extremeist who believe that their way of thinking is absolute. This is were the people from the other side of the spectrum step in and answer with the same level of crazy. Then everyone is labeled either Party A or Party B and it creates tension because the fact is most people are in the middle on these subjects.

[Nerdsrock22]

I don't believe .blank cd's intent is to convert people to aethism. I believe he is playing "devil's advocate." He is forcing you and many others to view the question from a different angle than most are familiar with. His statement on the Abrahamic religions being similar is based in some fact but to say it in absolution would be an extremely false statement. I agree with your view on the founding of America for the most part but the fights you mention about public prayer and gay rights are all being waged by Christian extremeist who believe that their way of thinking is absolute. This is were the people from the other side of the spectrum step in and answer with the same level of crazy. Then everyone is labeled either Party A or Party B and it creates tension because the fact is most people are in the middle on these subjects.

His intent, if I may, is to point out the fallacy of the Christian nation ethos that has plagued our country for the better part of a century. And I understand that atheists enjoy stirring up trouble and embarrassing Christians that don't spend their entire lives studying the intricacies of the theology of their own faith. These conquests delight them to no end. My issue, is that in a thread titled "Christian Principles", we're being made to assume that all Abrahamic religions are the same, and thus, share the same principles. Either we going to have a dialogue about faith (or lack of) or we're just going to throw shit around until someone gets offended or confused.

[.blank cd]

Now we're getting somewhere!

[RL...]

I dont see the relevance of the determination of which religious foundation this nation was founded. Either way we are here today and things are the way they are.

Talking about this topic doesn't really serve a purpose or get us anywhere. Then again neither does debating about religion so carry on....

[Sinfix_15]

Good for you, they were smart, and didnt pass any laws or rules that limit you practicing your faith, or lack of. YOu are free to do as you choose, so long as you respect other peoples beliefs.

But its more and more apparent that is not what you want to do. you want to try and create this religion argument again that somehow you feel persecuted because you are an atheist. Or you want to make fun of others because they believe and you dont. Simply not true. YOure also in a dominantly christian nation, you are in the minority. Good thing for you the USA is tolerant of all people. If you did this stuff in say..............Iran or Iraq, you would have been beheaded by now.

The hostility from nonreligious people comes from organized religion pretty much waging war against us. Religious based laws are not made for religious people, theyre made for me. If the Bible says "dont eat fruit on a tuesday", then a christian person should follow this law based on his belief and understand the consequences of defying his creator. Even though everyone else is eating fruit on a tuesday, that person can follow his beliefs and know that heaven will be their reward and hell will be the punishment for those who dont follow those rules. Why does our social structure need to reinforce laws made by God? Why does it need to be made illegal for me to eat fruit on a tuesday when i have no problem with it? Just because the fruit is there, the religious person doesnt have to eat it. The Bible has it's own laws and own punishments. There is no reason for our government to enforce anything religion based.

I just want it to be fair. On my way to work i will drive past approximately 25-30 churches who dont pay taxes, yet such a thing as a sin tax exists. It's perfectly normal and acceptable for people to hang up decorations of a man being mutilated, nailed to a wooden cross and executed on any public street or building but anything provocative is outlawed. People can walk around my neighborhood and pass out literature for their religion and can openly and freely tell anyone and everyone theyre going to burn in hell for an eternity. If i did the same and walked around local churches passing out nonreligious literature, i would probably be arrested.

If i can drive past the 239582935829358239058 churches in the united states and not be offended that they have mutilated bodies hanging from wooden crosses as decorations, it would be nice if they could return the favor and drive past the strip clubs, casinos and sex shops.

but they cant do that...... they go way out of their way to push their beliefs, even in places designated for nonchristians.

http://www.gigwise.com/news/52260/Ma...ian-Protesters