What are your opinions on these topics

[Madsaac]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues? I'm not asking for blame, just your thoughts? I know there complicated but general feelings.

The Christian right has advanced socially conservative positions on issues such as creationism in public education,[20] school prayer,[21] temperance,[22] Christian nationalism,[23] Christian Zionism,[2] and Sunday Sabbatarianism,[24] as well as opposition to biological evolution,[20] embryonic stem cell research,[25] LGBT rights,[27] comprehensive sex education,[28][29] abortion, euthanasia,[31] use of drugs,[2] and pornography.[32] Although the term Christian right is most commonly associated with politics in the United States,[2] similar Christian conservative groups can be found in the political cultures of other Christian-majority countries.[33]

This is from Christian right - Wikipedia.

 

[Quintessence]

That's quite the list. Too extensive too comment on specifically and some of it I don't really know what it means because I'm not part of their culture or tradition. In any case, I respect the right of each culture to maintain its sovereignty. As an outsider it is not my place to tell them what way of life they should or shouldn't adopt. They can keep to their traditions as others do to theirs. If they impose on the sovereignty of others than can expect resistance or discontent, just as those who impose on theirs can expect likewise. Folks are who they are and trying to destroy that instead of living and letting live creates strife.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues? I'm not asking for blame, just your thoughts? I know there complicated but general feelings.

The Christian right has advanced socially conservative positions on issues such as creationism in public education,[20] school prayer,[21] temperance,[22] Christian nationalism,[23] Christian Zionism,[2] and Sunday Sabbatarianism,[24] as well as opposition to biological evolution,[20] embryonic stem cell research,[25] LGBT rights,[27] comprehensive sex education,[28][29] abortion, euthanasia,[31] use of drugs,[2] and pornography.[32] Although the term Christian right is most commonly associated with politics in the United States,[2] similar Christian conservative groups can be found in the political cultures of other Christian-majority countries.[33]

This is from Christian right - Wikipedia.

Creationism in public education: not as science, but legitimate in the humanities, teaching about the varieties of human beliefs.
School prayer: anyone should be able to pray however they wish. If privacy is needed, it doesn't seem a lot to ask for a school to set aside space. But not as a classroom or school activity -- prayer is private, and has nothing to do with public education.
Temperance: I am happy to let anyone drink what they'd like, or avoid drinkng what they don't want. I do not want other people telling me what I can drink. Abolition was a very big mistake in American history, and led to social ills far worse than drinking alcohol. Attempting to deny people what they want and can get anyhow just leads to underground behaviours, which are the root of a lot of social problems.
Christian nationalism: foolish attempt to force people into unjust conformity -- very, very stupid idea.
Christian Zionism: an even more foolish notion. Why focus on returning Jews to the Holy Land and not any other religion, ethnicity or "race to their place of origin? When do we figure out that we are all human, and thus members of the same family?
Sunday Sabbatarianism: I worship on Sunday, so everybody else ought to, as well. Is that any different than "I eat dinner at 7:00PM, so the rest of the nation had better start doing that, too!" Another problem with that -- if everybody has to take take the same day off, then the parks and recreation spaces are overcrowded one day of the week (so nobody can use them comfortably) and empty the rest of the time. Idiocy.
Opposition to Biological Evolution: That's like being opposed to gravity. Gravity is a fact, and opposition to it won't do you any good, and possibly a great deal of harm. Evolution is a fact, too. "Opposition" to it is sure to make you miss the opportunity to avoid or cure new diseases.
Embryonic stem Cell Research: if you already have the stem cells, and if we can learn anything useful from them, why not? Avoiding that isn't going to make those stem cells turn into a viable human being.
LGBT Rights: Should we not support the same rights for every person, whatever their race, religion, ethnicity, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity? Interestingly, people can change only one thing in that list fairly readily, and do frequently: that is religion.
Comprehensive Sex Education: Why would anybody want to learn anything about their own body, how it works, why it works, why it sex is such a driving force in human life, how to avoid STDs and unwanted pregnancy? The less we know about that, the better off humanity will be! Really?
Abortion, Euthanasia: not going to touch this -- we've covered it about a billion times already, and so far no minds have been changed. So huge waste of time.
Use of drugs and Pornography: and here we are, back at abolitionism again: deny people what they want and can get, and they'll find illicit ways of satisfying their desires -- and always at an unwarranted cost to society.

 

[PureX]

The people that promote these agendas believe that they know better than everyone else what moral, ethical, and legal course is best for human culture and society to choose. And if we do not choose it, we will all suffer the negative consequences. So they tend to feel they have a right to try and force us all to follow the course that they see as being the right course, even if we don't agree, or want to. They are trying to make us do so "for our own good".

Are they right about this? In some ways and about some things, probably they are. But in other ways and about other things they are probably quite wrong. And who can know which is which, or when?

This is why a lot of humans feel that individuals should be able to choose their own course through life as much as is reasonably possible ... because none of us knows what really is the "right path". But this still does not satisfy many others. They want more control. They want to be in control of who can choose what path, and when. And why.

 

[1213]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues?...

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues? I'm not asking for blame, just your thoughts? I know there complicated but general feelings.

The Christian right has advanced socially conservative positions on issues such as creationism in public education,[

It was not clear to me whether these were things you support or not, but for some reason, it struck me as more probable that you do. So some of my answers will reflect that impression.

Creationism is a pseudoscience. It has no place in the science curriculum. If they want to teach Genesis as part of literature, I'm fine with that. But not science.

20] school prayer,

Do you think it would be right to force atheist kids to pray? And prayer to who? Vishnu? Allah? Or is it your intent to force prayer to Jesus for kids who are not Christian?

[21] temperance,

I assume you mean avoiding alcohol? Why? Wine is an important part of Jewish life and ritual. Even for secular people, alcohol can help them unwind after a long day. In the Christian gospels, Jesus even turned water into wine at a wedding, showing that he supported drinking for celebratory purposes.

[22] Christian nationalism,

Christian Nationalism is one of the great threats to our democracy. Look at history. Whenever religion becomes the state, very bad things happen. I began a thread on an ex member of the whole Christian nationalist movement, what got him into it, what things he did, and why he has repented of it. His public confession is a must to read.

Confessions of an ex-Christian Nationalist.

I wasn't really sure whether to place this thread here in Religious Debates, or in the Politics section. Since I really want to address Christians about this, I think this subforum is probably the better choice. I read this article early this morning. It's now dinner time, and I can't get it...

www.religiousforums.com

[23] Christian Zionism,

Most people in the world are Zionists. Zionism is primarily a secular political philosophy, but some people put a religious spin on it. If some Christians want to support Israel, I say welcome to the club.

[2] and Sunday Sabbatarianism,

Do you mean do I think it's biblical? No, not in the slightest. The Torah is quite clear that the sabbath is on the seventh day, and it's for Jews, not the world. Am I opposed to it? Why would I be. If it brings someone closer to God, more power to them.

[24] as well as opposition to biological evolution,

I have little patience with people who deny science.

[20] embryonic stem cell research,

Given that we can get stem cells from all sorts of other parts of our bodies, I see no reason to use embryos. While I don't put embryos on par with people who are born, I say let's respect nacient human life whenever possible.

[25] LGBT rights,

Depends what you mean. I'm adamantly opposed to bullying them, or discriminating against them in terms of employment, housing etc. On the other hand, I think it is the privilege and responsibility of parents to teach their children their religion, including its ethics. The schools have no right to interfere with that. Additionally, while I'm highly tolerant of trans folks in general, they themselves will say that sex is different from gender. If that's the case than they should not trespass into single sex areas, such as transwomen into female locker rooms or sports. Nor are they covered by Title XI, which protects equal rights based on sex, not gender.

[27] comprehensive sex education,

I'm very for sex ed, until such time as it starts teaching values. The moment it starts teaching what is okay and what is not is the moment its intereferes with the parents' domain. But in general, I think it is essential. When I taught in Inglewood, we had a fourth grade girl whose parents pulled her out of sex ed. Guess who got pregnant?

[28][29] abortion, euthanasia,

Two very different topics.

My views on abortion are quite complex. In general I support Roe, and it irritates me that Roe was never enforced. Roe makes it clear that a fetus that is capable of life outside the womb has rights and should be protected, but this was never enforced.

I'm very much in favor of euthanasia. People have a right to choose what happens to themselves without interference from the state. And not just the dying. There are people who are in chronic pain, including mental anguish, or who may rather be dead than i.e. live on the streets. No one has a right to tell them their lives are worth living except themselves. However, I think that any legalization of euthanasia must include safeguards against families pushing people into death simply because they are old, sick, or disabled.

[31] use of drugs,

I'm assuming you mean illegal drugs. They are illegal for a reason. Oregon experimented with legalization, and it was a disaster. Also, by keeping them illegal, the courts can utilize arrest to get addicts into rehab.

[2] and pornography.

Porn is one of the most destructive elements of our present culture. Not only does it objectify women, which is why as a feminist I'm opposed, but it hurts men as well. It gives them a cheap instant fix that replaces their natural tendency to build relationships--our men are dying of loneliness. It also creates sexual problems for them such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It can be highly addictive. And it creates unrealistic expectations for sex -- many women are becoming voluntarily celibate rather than have to deal with men who think that choking, anal sex, or shaving so that you look like a child, are normal.

[32] Although the term Christian right is most commonly associated with politics in the United States,[2] similar Christian conservative groups can be found in the political cultures of other Christian-majority countries.[33]

Your point being what? That because it can be found in more than one country that this makes it okay? Are you familiar with the logical fallacy called the appeal to popularity?

 

[Twilight Hue]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues? I'm not asking for blame, just your thoughts? I know there complicated but general feelings.

The Christian right has advanced socially conservative positions on issues such as creationism in public education,[20] school prayer,[21] temperance,[22] Christian nationalism,[23] Christian Zionism,[2] and Sunday Sabbatarianism,[24] as well as opposition to biological evolution,[20] embryonic stem cell research,[25] LGBT rights,[27] comprehensive sex education,[28][29] abortion, euthanasia,[31] use of drugs,[2] and pornography.[32] Although the term Christian right is most commonly associated with politics in the United States,[2] similar Christian conservative groups can be found in the political cultures of other Christian-majority countries.[33]

This is from Christian right - Wikipedia.

I think Christians should keep their ideas for themselves and not try to put it on other people.

There are already parochial schools and churches established, that's what it is there for, so Christians have been already accommodated as they can put their own children into those particular schools and teach each other as they see fit within one's Christian ideals and values.

 

[Madsaac]

Yeah, I was beating around the bush. To tell you the truth I think it's terrible that we have people in our society that are against LGBT, stem research, VAD, abortion, women's rights and any other non 'conservative' issue that they promote.

We often talk about whether god is real or not but lets focus on the results of these beliefs. Some of these religious people have close minded, selfish points of view which effect many people negatively in our society.

It's in our own backyard and globally as well.

And it comes about because of some books written thousands of years a go in some far off place. No actually, by a bunch of men in another time. Fairdinkum!

Keep it out of our fair minded and loving society, please. Keep it to yourself.

And this is not personal, its my thoughts against 'hard' religions that try and persuade the laws of nations

 

[Madsaac]

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

Yes, it is acceptable because you don't need to be a Christian to be a good person. Or you don't need to be a Christian to have social beliefs

Try it, it works just fine.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

The list in the OP were all examples of Christians messing with non-Christians. Do you think that messing with people of other beliefs is an integral part of being Christian?

 

[IndigoChild5559]

We often talk about whether god is real or not but lets focus on the results of these beliefs.

I think you are unjustly generalizing. I'm a firm theist and a very religious woman. Yet I gave the sort of answers that apparently surprise you coming from a theist.

And it comes about because of some books written thousands of years a go in some far off place. Fairdinkum!

Again, some of those ancient texts are very dear to me. Yet I don't fall into your characterization. Nor do many other theists I know.

 

[Madsaac]

I think you are unjustly generalizing. I'm a firm theist and a very religious woman. Yet I gave the sort of answers that apparently surprise you coming from a theist.

No, no, I did say I was generalising and my response was targeting only a certain section of Christianity. And I know we all have individual beliefs, however you still are part of that group.

Again, some of those ancient texts are very dear to me. Yet I don't fall into your characterization. Nor do many other theists I know.

Yes, I have added in my response 'men' have made these laws. I don't even think they were in the ancient texts.

As a women aren't you annoyed that these rules have been made by men only, over the past hundreds of years

 

[Revoltingest]

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

Do you believe that Christians are unique in being
subject to criticism?
They're the most powerful group on the planet.
They've a checkered record on human rights,
& imposing their religion upon others. So they
must accept that there will be criticism. Note
also that they readily dish dirt on Muslims,
, progressives, secular types, atheists.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

What are your thoughts on the following social issues? I'm not asking for blame, just your thoughts? I know there complicated but general feelings.

The Christian right has advanced socially conservative positions on issues such as creationism in public education,[20] school prayer,[21] temperance,[22] Christian nationalism,[23] Christian Zionism,[2] and Sunday Sabbatarianism,[24] as well as opposition to biological evolution,[20] embryonic stem cell research,[25] LGBT rights,[27] comprehensive sex education,[28][29] abortion, euthanasia,[31] use of drugs,[2] and pornography.[32] Although the term Christian right is most commonly associated with politics in the United States,[2] similar Christian conservative groups can be found in the political cultures of other Christian-majority countries.[33]

This is from Christian right - Wikipedia.

I object to Christians imposing their beliefs on unbelievers. It's a principal reason that I am antitheist, by which I mean one who objects to and speaks against organized, politicized Abrahamicism, which is really only a problem with Christians in the West and Islam in the East.

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

Feeling like a victim? Of course it is acceptable to be pro-Christian. You are. Nobody's coming for you because of it or trying to silence you.

But the way your religion behaves in American goes beyond speech. It acts, and its actions have a deleterious effect on society, which makes it a bad neighbor. Fix that and you probably won't hear from "anti-Christians" again. They typically don't object to your existence, just your meddlesomeness. Be like the polytheists. They're polite. Outsiders are unaffected by those religions.

Speaking of which, it's not even 7:30 AM and the church is already firing off bottle rockets (cohetes in Spanish) to celebrate the Virgin for over a month. One of my dogs is hiding and trembling. That's what I mean about bad neighbors. This neighborhood would be more peaceful and my dog more serene if they could be more thoughtful. That just doesn't happen. Everybody has to hear about the Virgin even if they're not out of bed yet.

It's otherwise a nice celebration with parades and combination of Catholic and indigenous culture. This is the holiday in Ajijic, our Mexican village:

Fiesta for Our Lady of the Rosary ⋆ Lakeside Guide to Lake Chapala

 

[IndigoChild5559]

No, no, I did say I was generalising and my response was targeting only a certain section of Christianity. And I know we all have individual beliefs, however you still are part of that group.

Yes, I have added in my response 'men' have made these laws. I don't even think they were in the ancient texts.

As a women aren't you annoyed that these rules have been made by men only, over the past hundreds of years

Of course. But I can't go back in time and change history. I can and I do change things in the present. Judaism is coming around. The Conservative and Reform movements routinely ordain women Rabbis.

It is still pretty rare in Orthodoxy, but the websites I just googled estimate somewhere between 50 to 100 in the world. They are primarily ordained through Yeshivat Maharat. But it's certainly still extremely controversial among the Orthodox (for example the Rabbinate in Israel do not accept these women). But honestly? In my own personal opinion, the first domino has tipped. All that is needed is time.

As to your original list, some of my answers were pretty much typical of Jews, and others were my own personal opinions. For example, there really aren't any Jewish Americans who want to see Christian nationalism destroy freedom of religion. Although political conservatism is more common among the Orthodox, MOST religious Jews in the States are Reform, and commonly liberal.

 

[Quagmire]

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

Not being down with the idea of a religion running the government isnt anti-Christian, it's just anti-control freak.

Edit: The Bible says "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and render unto God that which is God's".

I would say that control over a countries government falls pretty squarely under "That which is Caesar's".

 

[IndigoChild5559]

It is interesting that it is acceptable to be anti Christian, but not pro Christian.

The post is not anti-Christian. It's anti-Christians-who-want-to-force-Christianity-on-everyone-else.

 

[1213]

Not being down with the idea of a religion running the government isnt anti-Christian, it's just anti-control freak.

Atheists seem to be the biggest control freaks in the world. I think it is biased to think that only atheists are good to govern.

Edit: The Bible says "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and render unto God that which is God's".

I would say that control over a countries government falls pretty squarely under "That which is Caesar's".

That is what the governments want you to think.

 

[1213]

Do you believe that Christians are unique in being
subject to criticism?

It sure looks like that. But, for me it is not a problem if Christians are criticized.

 

[1213]

Feeling like a victim? Of course it is acceptable to be pro-Christian.

If all other people can bring their own view to politics, why not Christians? What I meant with anti Christian is, for example atheists can direct government to their desired model, but Christians can't do the same. I think that is wrong and anti Christian to not let them have the same rights.

But the way your religion behaves in American goes beyond speech. It acts, and its actions have a deleterious effect on society,

Interesting, and I think atheists have a deleterious effect on society.

Fix that and you probably won't hear from "anti-Christians" again. They typically don't object to your existence, just your meddlesomeness. Be like the polytheists. They're polite. Outsiders are unaffected by those religions.

Speaking of which, it's not even 7:30 AM and the church is already firing off bottle rockets (cohetes in Spanish) to celebrate the Virgin for over a month. One of my dogs is hiding and trembling. That's what I mean about bad neighbors. This neighborhood would be more peaceful and my dog more serene if they could be more thoughtful. That just doesn't happen. Everybody has to hear about the Virgin even if they're not out of bed yet.

I think that shows there should be separate areas for Christians and not Christians. Then all could live peacefully by their own way.