After church on Sunday, Flora brought up the subway posters up lately that essentially advertise atheism. She thought they were pretty unnecessary - what's the point in advertising an opt-out? I somewhat disagreed, bringing up how much religion, primarily Christianity, influences our laws and elections, and so atheists need a seat at the table. Ironically, Flora is an atheist and I grew up very Christian. And we went to service at a Unitarian church.
This blog post by Randy Cohen, aka The Ethicist, on discussing religion touches on what I was trying to get at:
My political beliefs, my ideas about social justice, are as deeply held as my critics’ religious beliefs, but I don’t ask them to treat me with reverence, only civility. They should not expect me to walk on tiptoe. It is not as if religious institutions occupy a precarious perch in American life. It is not the proclaimed Christian but the nonbeliever who is unelectable to high office in this era when politicians of every party and denomination make a public display of their faith.
What do you think? Should religion be sacred? How about when it crosses over into politics? When it affects you, your children's education, your community?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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Jewish theology and justice influences law the same as christian theology. After all, christianity is a jewish sect.
ReplyDeleteAtheism is also a religion, equally ferocious and blindered as any that believes in a higher power.
The only right thing a non-religious person can do is sit back, not get involved, and watch as things happen in the world, because it's funny.
They should not be making sign on trains.