Christians launch defence of faith 'under attack'

[Midnight Pete]

No, it's not.

Terms like "Christian" or "non-religious" describe a person's own religious beliefs. Terms like "secular" or "theocrat" describe a person's views on what role religion should play in society.

For instance, freedom of religion is a secular value. If you're in favour of freedom of religion, you're secular to a significant extent. This in no way implies that you're "non-Christian".

I support freedom of religion (politically), but I am not a secular person. I am Christian. You've got still got these terms mixed up.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

"Secular" is another way of saying "non-Christian" or "non-religious." Just like "Gentile" refers to anyone who is not Jewish.

I am a Hindu and a fairly Orthodox one at that. Yet I am secular in a political sense.

Secularism is the concept that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs.
In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within a state that is neutral on matters of belief. (See also Separation of church and state and Laïcité.) In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be based on evidence and fact unbiased by religious influence.[1]

Secularism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is possible to be both religious and secular. Your view of the word secular has in the past been used as a pejorative against christians and humanists that have different political views then the fundamentalist.

A very good example of this is Jimmy Carter. He was called a Secular Humanist by many fundamentalist Christian. He was a Southern Baptist who went door to door evangelizing in poor areas before he became president to help others to be born again. He did not believe that religion should be a part of His white house life. He would not invite Billy Graham to the white house for that reason. He also kept his teaching of sunday school at a local church under raps because he believed religion was private. Ronald Reagan was called a "Christian" because he had the same political beliefs as the fundamentalists. Yet he had an astrology chart on his oval office desk he used to make all of his decisions. He did once in a while go to church. Still this example should better explain how the word has been misused in Christian circles.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

It is possible to be both religious and secular. Your view of the word secular has in the past been used as a pejorative against christians and humanists that have different political views then the fundamentalist.

In the Catholic Church, a priest who isn't a member of an Order is considered "secular clergy".

 

[angellous_evangellous]

"Secular" is another way of saying "non-Christian" or "non-religious." Just like "Gentile" refers to anyone who is not Jewish.

Like I said, the distinction between the two are artificial.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I support freedom of religion (politically), but I am not a secular person. I am Christian. You've got still got these terms mixed up.

*walkin' in a winter wonderland*

 

[Magic Man]

Just for fun, here are the dictionary.com definitions of secular:

1. of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

2. not pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to sacred): secular music.

3. (of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects.

4. (of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows ( opposed to regular).

 

[waitasec]

would objection to pay for this with tax payer money be considered an attack?

The developers of Ark Encounter, who have incorporated as a profit-making company, say they expect to spend $150 million, employ 900 people and attract 1.6 million visitors from around the world in the first year. With the Creation Museum only 45 miles away, they envision a Christian tourism corridor that would draw busloads from churches and Christian schools for two- and three-day visits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/us/06ark.html

 

[Midnight Pete]

There seems to me to be an anti-religious sentiment which is manifest in things like hijab and cross wearing bans.
I think people should be allowed wear or believe whatever they want. The authorities should stay out of it.

They must interfere in order to appease those who scream and holler about their rights being violated. What a broken system.

 

[Midnight Pete]

*walkin' in a winter wonderland*

Is that supposed to mean something to me?

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Is that supposed to mean something to me?

Absolutely not.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Like I said, the distinction between the two are artificial.

You are so transparent to me now.

 

[waitasec]

You are so transparent to me now.

it is apparent your faith in god has given you peace...indeed.
:sarcastic

 

[Falvlun]

Just for fun, here are the dictionary.com definitions of secular:

1. of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

2. not pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to sacred): secular music.

3. (of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects.

4. (of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows ( opposed to regular).

...which is why I'm still confused about A_E's stance that the distinction is artificial. Secular basically means "that which is not religious".

 

[painted wolf]

Except for number 4... that is a religious definition.

You can be secular and religious, they are not mutually exclusive.

wa:do

 

[Falvlun]

Except for number 4... that is a religious definition.

You can be secular and religious, they are not mutually exclusive.

wa:do

I know a person can be both religious and secular. But that's not the same as saying that they are both essentially the same thing and the only difference is semantics.

 

[Midnight Pete]

sec·u·lar

   /ˈsɛk

yə

lər/ Show Spelled[sek-yuh-ler] Show IPA
–adjective 1. of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.
2. not pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to sacred): secular music.
3. (of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects.
4. (of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows ( opposed to regular).




re·li·gious
   /rɪˈlɪdʒ

əs/ Show Spelled [ri-lij-uh

s] Show IPA adjective, noun, plural -gious.
–adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with religion: a religious holiday.
2. imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly: a religious man.
3. scrupulously faithful; conscientious: religious care.
4. pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.
5. appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.

 

[Tristesse]

I support freedom of religion (politically), but I am not a secular person. I am Christian. You've got still got these terms mixed up.

I think he's referring to having a secular society while maintaining your religious beliefs. For example, the reverend Barry Lynn is the founder of the coalition for separation of church and state in the U.S. But he's also a religious man. You can be both religious and have a secular out look.

 

[Katzpur]

It was technically illegal to be a Mormon in Missouri until 1976.

It was also "technically" encouraged to kill a Mormon in Missouri until then.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I know a person can be both religious and secular. But that's not the same as saying that they are both essentially the same thing and the only difference is semantics.

The problem is that in todays Christian vernacular religious people who hold secular political values ( i.e., wanting the ten commandments removed from court houses) are seen as secular and not a Christian. Secular has a whole host of meanings in common usage that is not in the dictionary. It is a purgative in many christian circles.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I support freedom of religion (politically).

Are you against prayer in school?

Christian Ideals being taught in public schools ?

Almost all Americans will say they are for the freedom of religion.