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Does legistlating Christian belief leave room for faith in God?
- May 29, 2007 at 1:00 PM
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- Comments (5) Total Views (220) Everyone can see this journal post.
I think most Christians would say yes, and that legistlating Christian beliefs and ideals is proof of faith, and/or that admitting Jesus Christ as ones savior is the only way to heaven.
BUT, doesn't it actually undercut faith in God by suggesting that God didn't know what he was doing when he gave humans free will, and it is up to his followers to force people to comply to Christian religious standards?
Comments:
I think it depends as to what you think is the legislation of a christian belief. If there is a belief out there that is uniquely christian that is being legislated, like the taking if communion(I know that is not being legislated, but that is an example of something that is uniquely christian), then I would whole-heartedly agree with you. However, I think you would be hardpressed to show me any such legislation.
Now, if you are talking about laws that have a basis only in religious thinking, those are things that could be applied to any number of religions and to say they are christian beliefs is erroneous. You can say they are religiously based, but you can't say they are christian based.
Now this begs the question, do religious based lawsleave room for faith in God. Well, I don't think that is generally important to those proposing the laws. They are not proposing the laws because they think the laws will imporove people's faith or even that the laws will bring people to faith. They are proposing the laws in order to protect people. Sometimes those are innocent people and sometimes it's just to protect people from themselves. Either way, the law has nothing to do with faith.
I am against big brother laws that seek to protect people from themselves, whether those laws are religious based (such as laws concerning gambling and porn) or whether they are profit based such as laws concerning seat-belts and smoking in restaurants and bars. I am not opposed to laws which seek to protect the innocent, like child-porn laws or carseat laws.
I think it depends as to what you think is the legislation of a christian belief. If there is a belief out there that is uniquely christian that is being legislated, like the taking if communion(I know that is not being legislated, but that is an example of something that is uniquely christian), then I would whole-heartedly agree with you. However, I think you would be hardpressed to show me any such legislation.
I'm not sure that there is anything uniquely Christian, but take out the "faith based" voting (including those who aren't religious, but voted "because God says xyz..."), and there would be very few people pressing certain issues statistically. If not for religious backing they wouldn't be current issues today.
Now, if you are talking about laws that have a basis only in religious thinking, those are things that could be applied to any number of religions and to say they are christian beliefs is erroneous. You can say they are religiously based, but you can't say they are christian based.
You are correct. My bad.
Now this begs the question, do religious based lawsleave room for faith in God. Well, I don't think that is generally important to those proposing the laws. They are not proposing the laws because they think the laws will imporove people's faith or even that the laws will bring people to faith. They are proposing the laws in order to protect people. Sometimes those are innocent people and sometimes it's just to protect people from themselves. Either way, the law has nothing to do with faith.
See your last sentence is crucial to me. Either it is faith based or it is not. People of God and Jesus know that it is a PERSONAL path we take. So putting religion at the forefront of these matters makes little sense unless you have lost your faith in God.
I am against big brother laws that seek to protect people from themselves, whether those laws are religious based (such as laws concerning gambling and porn) or whether they are profit based such as laws concerning seat-belts and smoking in restaurants and bars. I am not opposed to laws which seek to protect the innocent, like child-porn laws or carseat laws.
Just a little quibble that public smoking and not wearing ones seat belt can be hazardous to A) other people in public and B) passengers in the same car.
I think the thing is the legislatures are not proposing these laws based on personal faith, but they are getting voters to vote based on personal faith, that is the difference.
As to the seatbelts and public smoking, you don't want to ride in a car with someone not wearing their seatbelt because you are afraid you will be hurt then don't get in the car and refuse to drive a car with a oerson not wearing their seatbelt, we don't need a law for that, the law was made soley to make money for the state and because law-makers at that time were under pressure by auto manufacterers who did not want a law requireing *then* to put airbags in all cars. Lo and behold, we have airbags in all cars now, but the states are still making money on the seatbelt laws.
Smoking, don't go into or work for an establishment that allows smoking. You don't need a law for that either.
If people are too stupid to not stay away from a place that allows smoking or are too stupid to wear their seatbelts, don't you think that is letting natural selection take its course? I suppose you are opposed to the government spying on people in the name of protecting you? You can't ask the government to protect you from yourself and then cry foul when you think they've gone too far for your own comfort. I am not surprised one bit at these spying laws, I predicted stuff like this would happen waaaaay back in the 80's when my home state first enacted a seatbelt law. Of course, most folks thought I was nuts.
s to the seatbelts and public smoking, you don't want to ride in a car with someone not wearing their seatbelt because you are afraid you will be hurt then don't get in the car and refuse to drive a car with a oerson not wearing their seatbelt, we don't need a law for that, the law was made soley to make money for the state and because law-makers at that time were under pressure by auto manufacterers who did not want a law requireing *then* to put airbags in all cars. Lo and behold, we have airbags in all cars now, but the states are still making money on the seatbelt laws.
People being projected from cars are a hazard to the public, NTM the innocent kids who have no choice to be in the car in the first place, who could be harmed.
Smoking, don't go into or work for an establishment that allows smoking. You don't need a law for that either.
If people are too stupid to not stay away from a place that allows smoking or are too stupid to wear their seatbelts, don't you think that is letting natural selection take its course? I suppose you are opposed to the government spying on people in the name of protecting you? You can't ask the government to protect you from yourself and then cry foul when you think they've gone too far for your own comfort. I am not surprised one bit at these spying laws, I predicted stuff like this would happen waaaaay back in the 80's when my home state first enacted a seatbelt law. Of course, most folks thought I was nuts.
Actually, I'm mostly anti-smoking laws. I do however, recognize that the economy is shit, and beggars can't be choosy. Plus again, some kids have asshat parents who think nothing of taking them somewhere where smoking is allowed.
Perhaps seating should be arranged by age or family , and not smoking preference?
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