Saturday, September 8, 2012


This is probably going to be a more controversial blog than I have done before.

Regarding religion: Whatever your view of the Divine, it is your right to worship as you believe. This country has freedom of religion. Our founding fathers ALSO believed in the separation of church and state. We are not a theocracy, we do not all follow the same spiritual path. No matter what your religious beliefs, how

ever, it is NOT your right to impose them on everyone else, let alone make those beliefs integral to a political platform or agenda to guide our country.  
 
And that brings us to the social agenda that such beliefs promote.
 
Traditions, societies and technologies change.  Divorce, bi-racial marriages and abortion (there, I said it) were once illegal.  Children born outside of marriage were looked down on.  Women and African-Americans weren't allowed to vote.  They, along with children, were considered as property.  Do we really want to start down the road to return there?

"Pro choice" really means we all make our own decisions regarding ourselves and our families. Have as many - or as few - children as YOU wish. Your neighbors have that same freedom. Respect that.  Abortion was once a political issue as to legality, but that battle has been fought and won, along with a woman's right to vote.

"Marriage equality" does not infringe on anyone's religious rights - believe what you will. But ALL marriages must be registered with the government - that SECULAR authority is what gives a couple spousal benefits via the law. If we don't discriminate for other purposes according to the law, we cannot - and should not - discriminate in this matter, either. 
 
Using "God" as a weapon against those who do not believe as you do is NO DIFFERENT from the terrorists using religion as a battle cry. Our country is founded on different principles. Respect and tolerance begin at home.