Can there be a social civil war?

[Cactus Jack]

Since you guys are really smart and love to debate, here's a new one for you.

I submit to you that there is, right now, ongoing, a social civil war happening in the U.S. It is a war between the religious right and the rest of the country. This war is as vicious and hate-filled and righteous as any war ever fought with conventional weapons. The religious right is the evangelicals--conservative, well-funded, and very well organized, who smile with the love of God while hating those of us who do not believe as they believe. The battleground is our system of government. They have won the executive and legislative branches, and are now completing their battle plan, control of the judiciary, which is the last hurdle between them imposing their vision on those who don't believe as they believe. Once they achieve a majority on the Supreme Court who will put their "moral faith" ahead of the Constitution, they cannot be stopped.

Those who oppose them will be defeated. The opposition cannot organize, can't fund, and cannot defend because they have no hope of winning. They are too diverse to achieve the unity required. Laws will be passed and upheld which will take away the rights of those who do not walk a straight and narrow line of right and wrong, right and wrong as written by strict interpretation of the Bible.

Larry Flynt said, "if the Constitution protects a scumbag like me, you have nothing to worry about."

What if he's no longer protected. What if you cannot read Hustler, if you choose to buy his garbage? What if your favorite program on tv is deemed unsuitable? What if the book you want to read disagrees is written by an atheist? Could this happen?

If they come for my neighbor, how soon will they come for me?

One nation, under God, with a literal interpretation of the Bible. This would no longer be my country. I would not be able to be free to speak as I am now, because I do not believe the right things.

Abraham Lincoln said, "I don't know if God is on our side. I hope that we are on God's side."

If God is on their side, who's on our side?

60% of the people in this country believe a woman has a right to choose. Is it possible that the 40% who disagree can make it illegal? Say that this is achieved. Will they follow through with what is wrought? An increase in the number of unwanted children, of people who may not be able to properly care for them, who won't do what every parent needs to do to raise a child the right way, will happen. Poor and lower middle-class people will be further stressed. (The rich will go where the procedure is available.) Will they help solve the problems this would cause?

I think not, because once this is achieved, they will move on to other projects. What those projects will be, only they know. I am sure, there are many things on their list. How far and how fast will we slide down that slippery slope?

These are things you guys should be debating, because it is your future. The society envisioned by George Orwell in 1984 could come to pass. It won't be communism, but a society based on religion.

I'm not happy with what I'm seeing. It's unfair that I appear to be opposing God. It's not right that I can be accused of being a bad guy because I do not see things as black and white, but as many shades of gray as there are people. I am concerned for myself, and my grandchildren, for all of us. My core belief in a person's right to believe what they believe, say what they wish to say, and do what they want to do is ultimately going to be used against me, because I would not ever take away their right to these things. Our Constitution gives me the very right to destroy it, by allowing freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and no where in it does it say that there absolutely must be a separation of church and state.

The leadership I've seen smiles and says they are not trying to create a theocracy. What else would you call it?

CJ

[Rhound50]

[JJSCOTT2]

[JDLush]

[Juskimo]

The Roman Empire conquered the known world, and would have gotten around to assimilating/wiping everyone else off the face of the planet if not for one thing: Christianity.

Non-quantifiable ideas cannot be defeated (except by geoncide).

-Jus

[Cactus Jack]

[Juskimo]

[Dumb Snowman]

[Kuso]

in 50-100 years time, the chinese will be studying America the same way Americans now study the Brits (how could they squander all that power and influence?).

[BigPhish]

[k3nt]

Hey Phish, you could be right on the economics stuff, but that doesn't mean that CJ isn't also right about the religion craziness.

Put me down as one who thinks this religion stuff is getting a little spooky too.

[kennyg]

i'm seriously considering making a move to another country if the political and relegious climate keep deterriating.

i just want us to pull all our troops home and stop messing with other countries around the world. is that wrong?

[JJSCOTT2]

[stickdude]

[BigPhish]