Civil Religion?  Any thoughts?
478976
Try here:\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_religion
198107
Good job! You've mixed religion and politics in the same question. Bold move :-)
316288
So is somebody finally conceding that the U.S. is a RELIGIOUS government?  Did someone finally read the Constitution and see that we were guaranteed religious freedom, and that the Constitution does not separate Church and State?  The Constitution just says not to set up a State Church, like the Church of England, because they wanted religious FREEDOM!
893126
"Scary" isn't it ? I don't usually talk about politics or religion But your question is really a good one ! I'm not sure if we can fix this one. I study allot of history and if it does repeat its self we are domed !\n\nWhen the day comes I'll be looking for a spot in Old Mexico "Hell they're all here!!"
955734
Hi handsome.  I wonder if there are more fanatics now or do we just see more of them because of our association to Q/A.  I live in the bible belt and Texas  has always been a politically conservative state for as long as I can remember.  If anything is true, I see a change towards more liberal thinking down here.  It will not be long, I hope, before more people wise up to the dangers of mixing religion and the law.
802493
Religion and politics are a BAD combination! You should keep the two as separate as possible as often as possible. No church should have an official political stance. If it does, it should lose its tax-exempt status.
924108
United under God.  Do you think that might be their problem?
166738
1.  I believe the churches actually provide the chaplains, and the army just provides living expenses and transportation, etc.  I don't see how that violates the Establishment clause.\n\n2.  I would not have a problem with non-denominational or rotating denominational prayers and holiday displays.  I think religious diversity and "comparative religion" as a study would be preferable to trying to eliminate all things religious and spiritual.  This is a country with a great many religious people in it, and making secularism or materialism the only "religion" taught in public schools is a big mistake.
521801
Not all religion. I would have to say though that FUNDAMENTALIST religion IS INDEED a tool of mind control that allows a small group of people to wield enormous influence over the masses, and I think that's wrong.
498833
Completely agree!! Religion (Christianity very much included)is all about self-righteous arrogance, justifying any sort of deviation from its own standards whenever it suits them and (my personal favourite...)justifying hate against anyone with differing beliefs, races and sexual orientations all the while spreading the message of god's love to all...aaaarrrggh...now I'm angry too!!\nRe: androcles comment; That has got to be the most ridiculous comment ever, comparing football clubs to churches is just nonsensical! They are not going around preaching, about how you should love and help your neighbour and then spending money which they could have used to practice what they preach! Football clubs are a business these days and you could have used them interchangeably with anything else like the construction of your local Tesco (do we really need a Sainsbury's and a Tesco - see what I mean about a ridiculous argument!!!)
1039113
From one professor to another :), That he "walks with God" and takes his cues directly from the almighty, assuming of course if one believes in him/her. This is the kind of Neanderthal thinking that, in my opinion, exemplifies why church and state should ALWAYS be separate. Is that illogical enough for you?
1043323
I find you make a very good point.  I find it quite amusing to hear of people denouncing the idea of a God, yet get married or hold their loved ones funeral  in a church.  Politicians fall to the pressure of a society that want to take Christ out of Christmas yet plan elaborate weddings for their children whom they insist get married by a priest or minister.  Funny how it works isn't it!!
523162
I was exposed to Sec.Humanism when I was unitarian-universalist a while back.  I think it is a very common-sense, rational worldview.  I am not sure how spiritual Sec.humanism can be---but know some are to a point.\n\nThe effect on US?  It might help us solve some of our major problems with poverty, children in the child-care system, perhaps improve prison conditions (if needed), and perhaps bring a calm atmosphere to the already viotile area of politics.  That's just my take.\n\nThe effect on religion?   I am distinctly hoping that perhaps if Sec.Humanism becomes very popular or wide-known, maybe more religious folks can incorporate some of the humanism into their religion(s), maybe that might improve life generally---if not in small ways, by enabling the religious folks to take a hard look at their religious teachings and see how they can BETTER apply them to their lives (such as Judge Not, Help Others in Need, Live-Let-Live).  Again, just my take on it.
182641
I agree. 100%.\nIf religious people say things, we are swiftly "shut up" and our posts deleted.\nBut secularists can say almost anything and get by with it. They can offend us. They can attack our beliefs.\n\nI have found ridiculous posts on here. Vile posts. As long as it is religion under attack it appears to be accepted on here.
503031
I agree. We need religion back in the heart of this nation. No one can argue it was founded on Religion. God is mentioned in so many documents, letters and journals of our fathers. The sooner we wake up and accept this, the sooner we will change for the better.
263372
Not sure ..looking how religion has been the bases for so many wars and deaths..it is something to think about
496767
I have realized that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to an earlier similar question:\n\n I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.