What do you think of this compromise between the religious and the rest of us?
542141
Science Teacher: Hey you, you with the brown hair and blue shirt...yeah, you mister.  Can you answer the question?\n\nAdam: Um, sure, but why don't you just call me by my name?\n\nTeacher: Sorry kid, Jim_Darwin's law prohibits me.
540945
Well you sort of answered your own question because we cant agree on anything especially God. Which God do you prefer we keep? generic? Thats the one the forefathers kept.Whats Important to one is B.S. to another. As a Christian  I realize no government of man can ever be perfect We are imperfect and eventually it corrupts.We can only work to make it as good as it can be and I agree its a mess.
607535
I'm a Muslim and we are thought to treat the other religions and their followers with respect. I would suggest you to try to do the same thing.
293525
There is always going to be a difference of opinion and different ways to handle any situation. It all comes with the territory whether you're religious or not. Therefore it would not have any bearing on my decision as long as they don't preach and push me into their beliefs. The only aspect that matters to me, would be my future children. They will be raised of neither faith, but left to choose their own. Only educated as much as possible.
550568
It would be nice to have a world government, I think, along the lines of the UN but with a bit more teeth and backbone, but a world religion?  Not a chance.  I for one would never give up my personal religious views to be subjugated by any of the mainstream religions again.  Of course, if there's another Holy War started up and Christians and Muslims wipe themselves out the way it seems like might happen, then we'll see.  Buddhism is at least close to what I practice.\n\nAs for peace, I dont' think that total world peace will ever be possible.  Humans are too greedy, stubborn and materialistic.
850864
Congrats on coming out!!...Although I totally agree with gay people being allowed to marry, we have to examine the political climate of what we're dealing with.  Anytime another group is pushed into a corner they are gonna be on the defensive.  This is what's happening with gay marriage.  Christians (being riled up by the Republicans) feel it's an attack on the "sanctity" of marriage.  I won't even try to get into all the ironies of that statement, but it is in fact how they feel.  The gay community feels that a fundamental right is being taken away and so the push for legalized marriage intensifies.  \n\nThe only solution for this situation is for the gay community to back off for "marriage" and to push for civil unions.  Having all the same legal rights, benefits, and legal consequences (divorce) as marriage..but not calling it marriage.  This would be a true separation of church and state, it would ease the Christians minds of marriage being on the attack and essentially take away any arguing points on the issue. It would allow the gay community to benefit form what straight people have been enjoying for centuries.\n\nUnfortunately we live in such a political charged atmosphere that such compromises have to made to get a solution.  It isn't necessarily right...but it's the best way for us to realistically achieve our goal of legal rights.  If the marriage push continues by the gay community it's only going to cause increased tensions  and our ability to enjoy equal rights will be a long time away.
730859
Certainly. In fact, if ALL religions were equally respected or if ALL religions were equally non-existant, we would have a LOT more peace than we do now.
996318
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with you entirely. It is refreshing to find a Christian who is willing to accept that other people can have different beliefs. You have restored my faith in people. Thank You
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.
123787
You are talking about two different religions, Islam and Christianity ... I know it's confusing, would be so nice if everyone could just accept the other for who they are and live together huh?
628124
I really don't see that happening, at least not in the forseeable future, because we are too diverse.  Just look at all the religions in this country, to say nothing of agnostics and atheists.  We're a very quarrelsome people and it would, pardon the pun, take an act of God to get us to all agree on something of that magnitude.\n\nI do agree with the person that said there are people in this country now who would do it for Bush (can we say fanatics?) but on the whole, I just don't think it'll happen for eons.
949383
I agree! I'm always confused when someone tries to do that... T_T It just, besides being offensive when one tries to force religious beliefs on another, doesn't make sense. For me, that's something i think is so COOL, is how we all have different beliefs and yet we can be friends! :D
1169039
That's exactly it, though. We're NOT the minority, but we somehow shouldn't have any influence in this country according to many. And it's not equal treatment...equal treatment would be to include all religions into schools, etc, not to eliminate Christianity.\n\nAnd although it's tempting for many to do this (and I recognize you haven't), I can't stand it when people try and use the Constitution as a source for this - the only thing the constitution says is that the government shall make no laws with respect to establishment of religion...at least that's the gist although i don't have the exact wording in front of me. Last I checked, crosses and prayers do not force anyone to believe a certain way. Do people realize the founding fathers prayed before their meetings?
525710
I think people's faith would be more real, more indepth if we lived in a country where Christianity was persecuted, but we probably wouldn't have as many members. I praise God that we do live in a country where we are free & not persecuted to worship & practice our religion. A lot of the times, being the 'norm' helps people come to Him, but a lot of other times, it usually makes for a shallow relationship, and it dies off in a couple of months or years...
1038273
I think the government should stay out of Religion and Marriage since it is usually a religious act.  On the other hand, every religion in the world has a set of morals (minus the demonic types or extremists) which involve not killing others and be nice to people, which I think the governments of the world should take notice of. Does that make since?  \nSo, yes, religion is a personal belief and should not affect the government in such a way as it currently is.  I also feel that a candidate's religion should not be public so that people will vote for him or her based on their intentions for the US rather than "oh he's a good Christian man"
840589
I say that everyone should do what they think will make themselves happy.\n\nI probably would not marry someone from another religion.  Too many differences.\n\nBut that's just me.
631327
I have found that some sects in Christianity have no problem with this type of ceremony.  I know that as my husband and I got married (he's catholic and I was raised jewish) that the Catholic Church would have no problem with us getting married and would request a neutral location and that clergy from both religions be allowed to preside. I think the 2 faiths are used to crossing over in some cases.