There is no movement in the United States to kill people in the name of second amendment rights but there is a movement that has murdered 1,200,000 children in the name of women's rights

I understand.

You know I have often thought or wondered if I could return to being a believer. Part of me wants to. Part of me doesn't. But an even bigger part of me looks at the issue like this.

Its as if I have by my own volition crossed a river that has no real way back across it. At least in my view. If I can find away back across then maybe I will if not then thats ok too. But at this point I wont be searching for a way. At this point in time I really dont need much from the other side.

This may sound harsh but I dont need god.

Like a child the grows up and no longer has to rely on its parent.

One religious thing thats been blaring in my mind is the Muslim saying of "all is as god wills it".

So time will tell...

Mythravere, I like the things you write. They reveal an altruistic, logical mind.

Since you want to do what is right and make a better world, I encourage you to reconsider Christianity. But don’t look at what we flawed Christians do or listen to we say. Check it out in the Bible, whose instructions James called “the perfect law of liberty.”

You might be surprised at how appealing it is.

Tiredofit is right. “Religions are run by man, and as such are flawed themselves.”

Is anybody more “religious” than Islamic Jihadists?

It’s not about whether you display a cross in your window or go to a particular church. Like Tiredofit said, it’s about belief in God.

The Bible reflects God. Some who call themselves Christians don’t. I don’t.

Not yet. But God promises that I will. God will “complete the good work he began” in me.

So I feel like Mythravere when he writes, "I think Christianity made possible a level of civil organization that built the western world."

In his 1998 book "Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" Jared Diamond proposed that Western Europeans ascended because of favorable geography, which gave them a favorable agricultural climate; provided access to large, easily domesticated animals for power; encouraged people to gather in cities, where they learned cooperation and developed immunity to some of the diseases that ravaged other civilizations; and other benefits.

Jared seems to minimize the influences of Jesus Christ, Greece, and Rome. I disagree with him on that. I doubt European cities would have been as successful if significant numbers of people had not been taught to "love your neighbor as yourself."

I agree with you on Rome and Greece. I would count all three as big influences on western civilization. I should have listed those as additional influences.

“I dont wish to control anyone nor tell them who they can do what with, but the two just are not and never will be the same.”

In the eyes of the law, they are the same thing. When a man and a woman enter into a “marriage” contract, they receive legal considerations that are not bestowed upon 2 people of the same gender living in the same circumstances. That is unconstitutional.

“I cant rightly say that without Christianity western civilization would have gotten to were it has.”

I would think that ancient Rome and Greece played more of a role than Christianity but then that’s just my opinion.

“If you read the writings of our founders, you will find they were INDEED religious people.”

This is why the vast majority OPPOSED comingling of religion and government.

You know its not an easy thing protecting someones beliefs. On one hand you want them to be able to express themselves as they wish and to protect them from unwanted influences and actions.

But a bill like that could be used as a means of discrimination against others.

If someone made a religious declaration stating pretty much anything they wanted that bill would protect them.

What we need is a leave each other the heck alone bill!

In the news: Kentucky Governor vetoes “religious freedom” bill.

One thing you must remember, never confuse organized religion with my belief in GOD. The two are not the same. Religions are run by man, and as such are flawed themselves. Faith is never flawed although sometimes I am.

Research "the 45 stated goals of Communism in the US" published in 1963, a very pivotal year when one thinks about it.

I wont disagree with that. But some it seems to want this country to only be for a certain group. Granted I say that because of what I perceive. And I as human I may be in error.

I wonder what would happen to people's perception if the news was nonexistent for a whole month? I mean no media to keep the flames stoked if you will.

I think people would be calmer.

If you read the writings of our founders, you will find they were INDEED religious people. Not to say that they were all Christian, but almost without exception, they all referece GOD or the Creator quite often in thier writings. You are free to practice or NOT practice whatever you want to as far as I know.

I mean who gets angry when the issue of religious texts etc is displayed in public schools and should be taken down? In regard to the separation of church and state.

And look at the Pledge of Allegiance. I personally have no issue with it. But I am sure some atheists don't like the idea that they have to give honor to something they don't believe in while expressing allegiance to their country.

Its interesting that religious folks dont want their institutions to cover birth control and cry that it is being forced on them. But yet non-believers and other religious beliefs have to give fealty to something they don't believe in.

But like every other time. I guess if I dont like it I am free to leave the country right?

On the other hand Christians (not all) are really insistent on seeing that Christian dogma is the only source that informs our laws and guides our society.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But when it effects the personal freedom of others it can be.

Remember there is a large group of people in this country who yell that they want to take back "their" country. Implying that the folks who have "their" country have no rightful claim to it.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see who at least one of those groups are.

Religion isn't being forced on people. But believers tend to imply that this is a Christian nation and that stepping outside of purview of Christian influence will lead to the destruction of this country.

So in a sense I am totally free to believe what I want as long as I keep it to myself and not try and guide my country according to my beliefs.

And I wouldn't say atheists are trying to force their beliefs on anyone but rather keep the government neutral in the matters of personal belief. Along with trying to keep the government from putting laws on the books that cater to the personal beliefs of the religious.

In other words atheists are trying to stop the government from playing favorites.

Where do you see relgion being forced on anyone??? Are Christians engaging in lawsuits to force crosses to be displayed or rather are Atheists the ones that are forcing thier views on us through the courts.

I must say though after doing a little reading dwarfism isn't totally a genetic defect.

Correction.

Now as for religion. I dont think one person would disagree with me that in the past it essentially represented a common point of interest among people of this nation.

Religion has way of keeping people in line so to speak.

Without it some people I feel have nothing from keeping their behavior in check.

But the BIG question is how does one restore the social calming effect religion has without forcing it on people?

I will say that from a historical standpoint I cant rightly say that without Christianity western civilization would have gotten to were it has.

I think Christianity made possible a level of civil organization that built the western world.

Without that influence can we continue to maintain what we have.

Can a different type of civil organization take its place and continue the advancement of western civilization?