Hello all, Based on the ongoing debate between myself and another member on another thread, I have been piqued to look at my own views again, particularly in light of what it is to live in a democracy. I'd like to ask the community to please choose among the following two views, as to which view constitutes "intolerance." I believe I am being factually straight here, and making a fair statement of the "opposing" views as they have come up: You believe religion is, for the most part, a bad thing for humankind; you find troubling any creed that declares it has the one and only answer to human truth, and you believe the world would probably be a better place if such visions for mankind simply went away. That said, you do not support any intervention of any kind to curtail the free exercise of one's faith. You go beyond allowing that others disagree with one's view of religion, beyond declaring your allegiance to their right to hold a view contrary to yours; you go to the point of defending the other's right to their beliefs with your life, as a matter of democratic and civic principle. -or- By having this view of religion, you are by definition intolerant. Because this is so, and because America was founded on a central tenet that the free practice of religion may not be curtailed, anyone who finds religion troublesome, should leave America. I respectfully invite an open discussion. I'd ask that we all, myself included, make every attempt to remain respectful of each other's views, however contrary to our own. That we all leave out the personal slams, the gutter snipes, the name calling. That we really try to learn from one another. This is my sincere hope.
Your post would benefit from some bold text so I know which 2 paragraphs I'm choosing from... Religion should be like masturbation: If you must do it, please do it in private and don't bring it up in public. Don't hand around with people just because they do it in the same way as you. Don't expect other people to do it just because you love it.