Hello I'm Rich Brown and this is my personal website and blog. I'm just your simple, average, down to earth, professional, out gay man and aspiring circuit boy, living in Phoenix, Arizona with a few things to say while trying to find my place among all the scary, conservative, religious nuts in this sick and twisted world.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
My Opinions Regarding A Nonsectarian Government
@HOME. Tracy over at Skylark's Meditations published an interesting post regarding a man who is an atheist who has spent years trying to ban recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools and is now challenging the national motto, 'in God we trust', printed on U.S. currency.
Now while I don't agree with him trying to ban the Pledge of Allegiance, I do agree with that fact that this country is trying to force religion into every aspect of EVERYONE'S lives. I don't like to get too political on here, mostly because yes, I do have my own jaded views about certain things and I always try to mind myself and respect the views and choices of others. However, this is MY blog and I can write about whatever the hell I want, so I'm going to include my comment from Tracy's blog here just so that if you are even remotely interested you can gain some insight into my beliefs.
"I better not comment, I'll probably get myself into trouble and you’ll all hate me. Seriously though, I am an avid supporter of separation of church and state in this country and I believe it was the original intention of the founding fathers. I was raised Catholic, and I’m still Catholic, but I believe that religion is a personal issue and should not be forced upon anyone. With that said, I also believe that because this country was established on the basis of religious freedom and liberal governance without oppression, these rights should be inclusive of those who choose both to believe in a God and also those who do not. I would never impose my religious convictions upon anyone and I like to expect the same in return, but unfortunately I do believe that’s no longer the case in this country. Too many people seem all to willing to impose their view as the only true view and would be just as happy to be rid of anyone who does not believe the same. It just seems to me that the deeper we get into intertwining religion into our government, the further away we’re carried from the original promise of true freedom as a country.
So ... now that I've babbled long enough on this, I do believe that in order for this country to be a truly nonsectarian country 'for one nation under God' should not be included in the pledge of allegiance and 'in God we trust' should not be included on our currency. That’s a personal opinion, and I know others will agree and others will not. I do agree with Kate that these changes would represent an enormous financial burden to the country and I don’t advocate that either. What I do advocate is preservation of our individual freedoms and don’t think there is anything wrong with a little re-education and even gradually phasing out old monetary slogans on newly printed money. Only when people can embrace each others differences and allow people to have the opportunity to live their good lives without oppression and repression all while still having the option to choose for themselves in the belief or not of God, can we be truly free as a society, a country and a world.
That’s my 2 cents worth, or maybe more like 75 cents worth, I’m not quite sure these days with inflation."
So, like I said before, that's my opinion on the matter, and as we all know, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. As I stated above, I know that many of you will agree with me, and many of you will not. That's what makes this a great country ... the freedom for each of us to have our own opinions. :-) Sorry to get all political tonight on your arses kiddies, I'm off to bed. Cheers!
