Thursday, June 01, 2006

the logic of it all...

Off the cuff...

One hears often debates concerning gay marriage, gay rights, the proper roles of women, etc., etc., etc. and all these issues that rightfully belong in venues relating to theology, morality, etc. are regularly trotted out into the political arena. These issues should not be debated in the context of the US constitution. The intent of the founders is clear... The rights, protections, and privileges extended by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are extended to all citizens equally. To abridge those rights in any way is to deny full citizenship and is a subversion of the founders' original intent.

Some would argue that embedded within these documents is an implied intent to submit to the will of "God." I would argue "Whose God and what theologian gets to interpret that will so that it might be applied to our governance?" It is clear that the founders intended all citizens to believe as they chose... whatever that belief. There is no mandate for a particularly Christian worldview. One has only to examine the lives of men like Franklin to know this. Further examination of our documents of charter make it clear that while a god is acknowledged, there is no clear specificity of the nature of that god... Further, while this reference may denote the personal beliefs of many of the early signators, the stipulation that there be freedom of religion provides for views other than the beliefs of those drafting said documents.

The individual is free to hold whatever religious beliefs she or he may see fit. This is clear. The fact that those beliefs should not be an impediment to citizenship is equally clear.

In sum... We do not have the right to legislate the morality of our fellow citizens. We get to make our own choices.

If Jesus or God wanted to control "the people" through the devices of government, he would have run for emperor...

4 comments:

laney2217 said...
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Mark Prime (tpm/Confession Zero) said...

"If Jesus or God wanted to control "the people" through the devices of government, he would have run for emperor..."

Bang!

Russ,
"Morality" that infringes upon the rights and liberties of the citizenry... Yes...Not the "feelings" or "beliefs" of the citizenry... That's the way it's supposed to be anyway... Right?

laney2217 said...

Thank you so much poetryman!

Anna said...

Wow...poetryman pretty much made things all right...

(couldn't resist that)

(agree 100%)