How American are Republicans?

“Fix the economy first, stupid.” This was the response given to the question: How can Republicans justify their discrimination against gays without violating the first amendment? Is this the sentiment of all Republicans?

Do Republicans feel money is worth more than our first amendment rights?

The first amendment is worthless when laws are passed reflecting religious beliefs yet, in many states; gays are not allowed to marry. The first amendment reads “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Our founding fathers fought a revolution to gain these freedoms. They knew that religious freedom was required for democracy to work. Just look throughout history at governments run by religious rule. To date every religiously run country has treated women and non-believers as second class citizens. Look through history; once religious rights are removed every other freedom disappears.

Remember 16^th century Europe where scientists were murdered, put to death, simply for stating what they observed. Back then, the religious fought to keep the fact that the earth is not the center of the universe a secret. I wonder what else, besides stem cell research, the religious right will ban.

Gay Americans deserve the same rights as all other Americans. They pay taxes, vote and fight in our wars. But Republicans say Gays should not be allowed to marry because their god forbids it. What about the rest of us that are not part of the religious right? What about the religions not so hateful as to forbid gay marriage?

Religious freedom does not mean religion of the majority. Religious freedom means civil laws do not reflect the human interpretation of any individual god.  

My republican friends don’t discriminate against gays yet they don’t understand, when they vote Republican they vote to discriminate. A Republican vote is a vote against the first amendment.

Most Republicans know their party has been taken over by the religious right but they believe they are just kidding when it comes to ignoring/destroying our first amendment rights. They are kidding themselves.

I am proud to be an American. Please don’t take away our freedom. No amount of money is worth it.

Remember, freedom once relinquished takes a revolution to get back.