How to Achieve a True Separation of Church and State
One. Let's do away with the Bible in all state and federal court proceedings. Anyone who thinks that swearing on the Bible is going to ensure that someone tells the truth is out of their mind. There are laws against perjury, and they will have to suffice. If the penalties for perjury aren't severe enough, the wrath of an imaginary man in the sky certainly isn't going to do any damn good. If you must have the witness take an oath on a book of fiction, let it be the fiction of his choice. I'd choose Clive Barker's Imajica, for instance. It's a fantasy novel about Earth's four parallel worlds, with three main characters, including a genderless assassin. In other words, it's only slightly more believable than the Bible.
Two. It's time for God to get the hell off my money. If I earn a few bucks, it's mine to do with as I please, and I don't need to be reminded of anyone's batshit beliefs. And if money does have anything to do with God, shouldn't the poor get more of it? Isn't the Bible filled with stories about helping those in need? If it is indeed "In God We Trust," shouldn't we trust in his priorities? Didn't Jesus heal? Then why are the so-called Christians who are in power so set against universal healthcare? Sorry, hypocrites, but you can't have it both ways. Get God the hell off our money, or start practicing as your "Savior" preached. Until that time, how about "In Wal-Mart We Trust"? Every bit of currency ultimately ends up with them anyway, doesn't it?
Three. Tax all Churches. They are businesses pure and simple. And they are in the business of spreading lies and brainwashing the young. Tax them, and then use the revenues to create programs for the poor and homeless. Provide housing, food and healthcare. There is no reason the churches in this country should remain tax-exempt. And there is certainly no reason they shouldn't have to file tax returns. Have them file returns, and have agents watching the collection plates each week. Because the religious can be preeeetty damn crafty when they want to be.
Published by Jack Oceano
Jack Oceano is an attorney whose articles cover a broad range of topics, including politics, legal issues, travel and tourism, dining and nightlife, sports, books, movies, music, and writing. View profile
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58 Comments
Post a CommentOceano, why are you so intolerant and bigoted toward Christianity and why do you tell so many lies about it? We live in a country in which the Christians comprise over 84% of the population. It is doubtful that we will knuckle under to to the Atheist, murderous, immoral government that you desire. Why don't you just move to some nice Atheist tyranny like Cuba? There you can kill all the babies and elderly people you want and practice your lifestyle of lying about practically everything without fear of contradiction.
Thank you for writing your articles Jack. I stumbled upon them randomly, and then took time to read many of the related articles including this one. It is a sad state that all such voices of reason must content with such ignorant, and outdated beliefs. But for all of us not entrenched witin indoctrination, please continue.
In regards to the welfare question... Most (if not all) people can take care of themselves in this country; it's fuckin' AMERICA. Around here, having money is a question of wanting money, and working for it; it's not "fair" to expect ME to pay YOUR bills: that would be rediculous. Also "Republican" is not synonomous with "Christian;" Republicans are more like Jews, in that they follow the law, and don't cut slack; they have a lot in common with Christians, which is why so many of us fall into both categories, but yes, there are areas where my faith forces me to disagree with certain Conservative politics. Although i can't speak for all of us, for me it's basically a question of "lesser of two evils."
Of course atheists can give to charity, but the Bible teaches selflessness, and that God values everyone the same; the more reason for a true Christian to make charity a priority. Yes, many "Christians" do not live by Jesus' code: most atheists call them "hypocrites." Jesus did the same thing to the pharisees. But while often correct, these accusors fail to realize that we are ALL hypocrites; most Americans ackowledge "sin," but do it anyway. A Muslim who does not kill infidels is a hypocrite, and a Jew who does not execute gay people is a hypocrite. Believe me, i too am ashamed of what "Christianity" has become; but the true Christianity of the Bible, the kind Jesus taught, is what we should use as a reference point, to know what we SHOULD stand for.
I'm mostly with Brett on this one. Salvation Army, the most well known charity in America, and the Red Cross, known world-wide, are both "Christian" organizations. The Red Cross only very recently adopted a Star of David, so as not to "offend" Jews; but it started out Christian. Salvation Army, of course, is also "Christian," which is why Target - a huge store in Arizona - kicked out the Santa Claus workers; you know, the ones who ring bells, and ask for donations to help the poor: they didn't agree with Target's morals and goals, and apparently this is reason to ban them from your store.
By the way, using the Vatican as an example isn't a good idea when your in a debate with a BIBLICAL Christian. I am not someone who believes that Catholics are not Christians but I still disagree with them on many issues. As far as I can tell, the Pope's more frivilous spending is dedicated to extravagance. I would guess that the reasoning is to display God's glory but I am personally against it. The reason personnel are paid is that they have dedicated themselves so fully to their cause that they have neglected a career.
No, I am not saying that only Christians are charitiable but aside from environmentalist groups, most major charity ORGANIZATIONS are Christian. I am not saying anything about the indivual level, only the level that is based on cooperation and existing ties between those individuals. The problem with wellfare(which isn't actually based on Christian values, it has more to do with which party Christians usually side with)is that the idea of universal wellfare is like trying to saving drowning people by tearing boards out of your own ship. In the end, all you have is more drowning people. Besides, the prices are actually lower for people without wellfare. I understand that wellfare means you don't have to pay anything, but you can't really argue that these people have to sell their houses or do anything else like that.
Why are the Republicans/Christian Right so against welfare? Why are they so against Universal Healthcare? Because they're so good and charitable? Why is their policy: "Take care of yourselves"? Because they're so compassionate, so charitable, so Christian? Is that what Jesus would have said? Would he have denied healthcare to the poor? Would he have denied single mothers welfare, and made them travel two hours each way on a bus to work for minimum wage, denied them time to spend with their children? If he were president, would he have said, "Take care of yourselves; the government can't help the poor"?
I beg to differ on that. Churches are businesses and they should be taxed like businesses. Where does all the money go that the Churches collect? To charities? Is all of it used for upkeep? For personnel? Maybe the Vatican bank? The Vatican didn't become the wealthiest entity in the world by accident. And you want to talk about backing up statements with fact? Where did you come up with that statement, that "nearly every major charity organization is Christian"? And are you saying that without Christians there would be no charity, or very little? Do only Christians give? I'm an Atheist, I give. And if Christians are so charitable, and the Republican party is theirs, why are their policies with respect to the poor so deplorable?
I am not saying that there are simply "good Christians" I am saying that nearly every major charity organization is Christian. By the way, a church is not a bussiness(unless you are talking about Mormons, in which case I will not argue with you), a church is a COMMUNITY. And as a community, they exert influence over the world around them and in this world the most powerful influence is money.