Religious Law In America?

A number of years ago an acquaintance mentioned he had just read one of Glen Beck’s books. He felt Beck had made many good points. Now my personal opinion is that the only point Beck has is the one protruding from the top of his head. But the real point here isn’t whether or not I believe Beck has ever had a rational thought, it is the fact that Beck and his ilk believe if you don’t think and act like they do there is something terribly wrong with you.

Add to this list many of our state legislators, most prominently , R-Mount Vernon, and his side kick, state Rep. , R-Salem, and a slew of state Senators and those holding congressional seats in Washington. In fact, they believe so strongly that theirs is the only true path that they want to legislate their personal and religious beliefs into laws. Laws that would punish you and me for not thinking and acting like they do.

There is a huge difference between drawing on personal beliefs and values to help guide you through life than using blatantly religious tenets, and imposing those beliefs on others by enacting laws. Having laws that govern us that are based on Judeo-Christian principles is entirely different then imposing religious law.

We have been fighting wars for the last ten years in areas of the world where religion dictates the law. We have seen how the belief that my way is the only way leads to greater intolerance, fanaticism and an ever increasing bastardization of the original tenets of their religions. 

Fanaticism and intolerance so absolute that more then 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, for no other reason then we acted and thought differently then they did. Intolerance so complete that even followers of their own religions who have slightly different interpretations are killed for their beliefs. Bastardization of the original tenets of their religion so extraordinary that women aren’t allowed to leave their homes without a male relative and young women are circumcised (mutilated) for fear they will have a normal sexual experience, like their male counterparts. 

Why would any sane person want to emulate cultures that punish people for what they think? Why should it be okay for you to be forced to follow the tenets of a particular religion? Why should you have to practice any religion if you choose not to? 

No contraception. No abortions even if the mothers life is at risk. Replacing science with Bible studies in our public schools.  And what about the penalties for not following some of these proposed decrees. 

Just recently in New Hampshire, a law was proposed that would have enacted a waiting period for abortions along with required information to be shown to the woman. That’s required with a capital R. If doctors had failed or refused to follow these edicts they would have been liable for a prison sentence of 7 1/2 to 15 years in jail. 

In Virginia, a law was proposed that would have forced doctors to perform an invasive ultra sound before performing an abortion. These same groups who want to tell (for the most part) women what care they can and can’t receive from their doctors are the same groups who assail our president for his health care initiative. It’s okay to deny women health care but it’s not okay to provide health care for all U.S. citizens.

The same people who don’t want a department of education on the federal or state level are the same people who try and enact laws that will debunk science (Darwin’s Theory of Evolution)  and replace it with creationism by citing passages from the Bible. And let’s remember that’s not just any Bible, it’s only their Bible that speaks the truth.

Practice your religion or don’t practice any religion. In the public square all is open for debate. You’re welcome to try and influence me and persuade me that your beliefs deserve my consideration. You’re even free  to try and convert me to your belief system. I have the freedom to listen to you or ignore you. And just like you, neither of us suffers repercussions for promoting or ignoring what is presented in the public arena. I won’t even be offended if you pray for me. But pass a law forcing me to think or act like you, that’s just plain un-American. That’s what I think.