The fact is: this nation was never a Christian nation to begin with (thankfully). Our Constitution and our Declaration are godless documents that protect us from religion, but also give people the freedom to worship as they choose. However, that doesn’t give people the freedom to push it in our schools, our politics, or force their silly belief systems on us.
Religion is a personal choice. It is not the law; it is not anything other than someone choosing to follow that system. I have no issue with people that want to keep it to themselves.
It has, however, destroyed countries, families, and caused wars, spread hate, discrimination, and intolerance for full equality. And, quite frankly, people are tired of that. We are progressing and finding out that you do not need religion to be moral, ethical, or live a good/happy life. And guess what? It’s all going to be OK!
As for the $100 billion given to churches, it’s sad that they are not taxed. It’s just a big business and they should pay their fair share. I’m sure that “some” churches do good things with that money, but how funny that the big evangelical pastors out there are living more wealthy than ever before…hmmmm…makes you wonder what the motivation is there, huh?
Regardless, people are finally waking up and realizing that religion is just a choice. It’s not necessary, and it sure feels good to live a happy life without all the jargon.
I welcome the day when we are fully secular and people can just get along, accept each other, accept our differences, and, for the sake of humanity, actually care about each other.
-Shane Ketterman, Bend
This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2012.
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I can’t wait for the day that terrible writers like you are no longer writing stupid contradictory remarks like this…
“Religion is a personal choice. It is not the law; it is not anything other than someone choosing to follow that system. I have no issue with people that want to keep it to themselves.”
“Yet you go on to say/write things like…
this nation was never a Christian nation to begin with (thankfully)” And…
“I welcome the day when we are fully secular and people can just get along, accept each other, accept our differences, and, for the sake of humanity, actually care about each other.”
Why don’t you practice what you preach (pun intended)…keep your views and opinions to yourself.
again another someone that doesn’t know the diff, between religion and Christianity, and all of our basic laws came from the ten commandments, but even those have been taken down.
hey just think how many babys have been aborted in the name of secularism, and you may not realize it with your high education and all but you just wrote the best article about discrimination that is in you. need i say more. the curtain has been torn.
o by the way i think its been 60 million aborted since roe v wade, secularism at its worst.
I wonder if you replaced the topic of religion with homosexuality if you would feel the same way. It’s funny that I feel the exact same way about the homosexual community as you do about religion, but can’t talk about it as you do religion. You’re a sad individual.
Thank you Shane, you are right on.
I often wonder when I read an inelegant, poorly reasoned, and rambling rant such as this, what recent event must have transpired within their life to fan this flame?
Well done, Shane. More people out there think like you than are willing to openly state it, and that’s a shame. It is a service to humanity that you encourage more atheists to speak up, as the evangelicals are so apt to do.
And now I have to wonder why congratulations would be offered for an openly bigoted diatribe…
Because that is the Source’s core constituency, Joe: global warming conspiricists, 911 truthers, Walmart haters, and Christophobes.
Don’t forget the NOBAMA reactionists and their ilk like yourself there Jon. Holding up a mirror is an uncomfotable experience sometimes, no? Why, you ask? It’s because simplistic people have to reduce other’s beliefs into something as ridiculously stupid as they are in order to “comprehend it”. My guess is you have FOX NEWS channel on all day, when you aren’t listening to talk radio thatr is. I’m still waiting for this !!!COMMUNIST!!! revolution to happen that I was told about 3 and a half years ago… Apparently, a portion of the political class needs to brush up on its political theory.