Good Religion Yes -- Bad Religion No!

First and foremost, we are absolutely positively not anti-religion. That is not what this article is about. In fact, we are very pro-religion...good religion that is. Lately however there has been a dangerous skewing of the separation of church and state with regard to U.S. politics. Even very respected religious leaders have become very concerned that the separation is creating misconception and confusion in our political policy. We are concerned too so we decided to write an article about it. Before any of you decide that we are heretics, please try and keep an open mind and...read on....

church-state While not specifically mentioned in the U.S. constitution, there has always been an unwritten understanding that dates back to Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and others referencing a distinct separation of church and state. Jefferson as far back as 1802 in a letter to the Danbury Baptists, wrote "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." James Madison wrote "practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States." In it's essence our founders realized that not only is separation of church and state a good idea politically, but also a necessity in a true functioning democracy.

Unfortunately, this separation has become more and more skewed of late as religion creeps into every nook and cranny of government policy. So why is this a bad thing? On the surface and in principle, it's not. We have always been a religious nation. We have "In God We Trust" on our currency for goodness sakes. We also have many great religious leaders who are very respected in the world. Billy Graham and the Pope immediately come to mind. However, when religious doctrine, especially from over zealous fanatical fringe groups (of any kind) begin to dictate, or unduly influence, political policy decisions, we start to wade into very dangerous waters. A quick look at the recent events in the Middle East should be a real eye opener for anyone who has even a shred of concern over this issue. The real scary thing is that once this cat (in it's untamed, aggressive form) is out of the bag, it's nearly impossible to get it back in again before we're all knee deep in a quagmire.

Pat R Pat Robertson’s remarks in August 2005 regarding Venezuela President Hugo Chavez are a perfect example of bad religion affecting political policy and how skewed the separation of church and state has actually become. For those who don't recall what the good reverend said, we'll refresh your memory. Basically, Mr. Robertson suggested that we whack Chavez, (whack meaning we should assassinate him). Robertson’s comments were inflammatory and inappropriate to be sure. Much worse however, is that he, and other fringe religious fanatics in this country get to spew their hate riddled, political sludge to the world for free! Remember what Robertson and Jerry Falwell said after 9-11? According to them, God was punishing the U.S. because among other things, there are homosexuals living here. Of course, Robertson and Falwell always apologized after they said something stupid...but isn't the damage already done at that point? Ask yourself this question. What would happen if the President said on national TV that we should whack the Pope because he wears a funny hat? Would his apology the next day be enough to repair the damage done? Or, would we run him out on a rail for being a complete nut case with the ability to constantly have his finger on the button?!

With everything said above, here's the real crux of the problem though. Recognized religious groups are exempt from paying taxes. While this is normally a good thing and set up by the founders to ensure religious freedom from the government, the exemption has also allowed a few fringe hucksters (under the guise of religion) to pick pocket billions R Cycle of dollars from our citizens. Now these same charlatans have become politically active allowing their tax free wealth to affect geo political issues. A quick overview of Robertson’s mega powerful media empire, which includes the 700 club, is all that's needed to prove exactly what harm religion gone bad can do. Robertson spewed his nonsense about Hugo Chavez not from a street corner soap box, but rather in front of a national television audience funded with totally tax free viewer donations. It is time for the American public to wake up and force these fringe panhandling whackos to either pay up, or shut up.

This is not a joke folks! It is a very dangerous situation that directly affects the way we are perceived by - do business, and interact with countries around the world. Please, remember that Pat Robertson actually ran for President in 1992, with full financial support of his followers - and had an alarming degree of success! Imagine Mr. Robertson (foot firmly inserted in mouth) as the leader of the free world! According to his warped ideology, we would not be chasing Osama Bin-Laden today due to 9-11, rather, abortionists, gays, and the A.L.C.U. While we are not here to agree with, nor condemn any of the afore mentioned groups, we are absolutely sure they had nothing to do with 9-11. That is just plain fringe whacko dogma.

exempt So what is the solution for these fringe religious fanatics? Here's a quick thought. We should immediately revoke tax exemption status for all fanatical fringe religious organizations that interfere with political policy in this country. Hey, we already do it for religious groups we suspect of being aligned with terrorist organizations. Lets see how politically active they remain after we have assassinated their golden goose! To make it even better, we could take all the money these hucksters have bilked from innocent people and give it to a real religious group that could do some good. Christian Children's fund and Billy Graham ministries would be a couple of good choices.

Last but not least, we don't want to influence anyone's religious beliefs. However, we suggest the following which has always served us well. Place your faith in God...Not in fanatic nut cases.

Good Religion Yes -- Bad Religion No!
An Article By CoolFreebieLinks
Copyright August 2006
© This article is the property of coolfreebielinks.com and may not be copied or reprinted in any form without the express permission of coolfreebielinks.com or Dynamic Digital Marketing. You may link directly to this article as long as you give proper credit to the author which is coolfreebielinks.com.