Are the rights of the religious becoming overzealous in America?
With so much in the news about the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts in Indiana and Arkansas, what do you think? Are these laws necessary? Are they taking things too far? Not far enough?
Yes, they need to calm down.
Side Score: 9
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No, they are being oppressed.
Side Score: 5
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The media is playing a bigger role in inciting tensions in American. I don't remember a time when moderates seemed so few in number. We seem to be sliding down a slope that will lead to more extremism. Hopefully I'm wrong. So are the Religious Right becoming overzealous? Probably, but they're not alone. Side: Yes, they need to calm down.
I am a firm believer in the first amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The freedom of religion grants each and every one of us to practice whatever we desire. So if I wanted to found my own religion where I worship a completely made up god and have my own religious traditions, I am more than welcome to, so much as I don't break any laws in the process. As an agnostic/atheist, I fully support the freedom that our government grants to each of us in this regard. What I don't understand, however, is why there is a need for so much legislation protecting the rights of the largest majority in the country- the christians. I was raised catholic and think it's a great religion, but not once in the close to 20 years I practiced it did I feel that my rights to faith were being impeded on. I strongly believe that we need to maintain a separation of church and state so that religious organizations do not affect the government and vice versa. My frustration is in that Americans are pushing for legislation that restricts the rights of some in the name of "religious freedom" and protects the largest majority in our nation. Religious Americans (some, not all) are fighting for laws that outright ban secular marriages shared between two consenting adults of the same sex and they support legislation that allows them to discriminate against certain peoples in the name of their god. Frankly, I'm getting sick of it. If a person wants to go to church on sunday or pray everyday, I don't care because honestly none of that affects me. But I get very angry and confused when state and local governments start to protect the religious freedoms that are already protected in the bill of rights while simultaneously alienating people because they live a lifestyle not conducive with a christian point of view. Side: Yes, they need to calm down.
You do realize that, that only means that the feds cannot have a national religion and force it on the states. It does not prevent the states from having state religions, and moral laws. The Constitution all Enumerates 18 powers to the feds, and Marriage is not one of them, hence Marriage is left to the states and the people Side: No, they are being oppressed.
The Constitution all Enumerates 18 powers to the feds, and Marriage is not one of them, hence Marriage is left to the states and the people The Constitution does not explicitly list a lot of things. It was designed to be ambiguous. We can even edit the Constitution and have done so in the past. The Constitution does grant the federal government the power to pass federal legislation that bind all states. Side: Yes, they need to calm down.
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The stories in the news from Indiana and Arkansas are really about a clash of rights. The right of an individual to exercise their religion -vs- the right of another individual to receive a service that is offered to the public. It is reasonable to judge that religious rights carry greater importance than the right to buy a cake or a pizza. However IMO the government should not take a position on such a dispute between individuals. Our supreme court has already ruled, however that businesses who offer goods or services to the public are obliged to not discriminate on the bases of, race, gender or creed. Soooooooo the businesses may be legally in violation of the law. Side: No, they are being oppressed.
What with the militant gays destroying society, and the liberals joining in on the destruction, it is past time we picked up weapons You should probably look up the word militant. You should probably also provide some examples (maybe even sources) to show that gay militants are destroying society. Side: Yes, they need to calm down.
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