Yes, I'm going to discuss religion, but not like it's being discussed around here currently.
Bare with me, I beg of you
I was fortunate enough not to be around for what continues, post-weekend, with the religious debates.
It got heated, as I understand. Wonder why?
Because religion is personal and private. Because people of faith, of ANY faith, feel strongly about their beliefs.
Personally I think this stems from the idea embedded in nearly every religion I have done research on, that this particular way is THE way, and that to take this way means eternal salvation, an afterlife, peace after death... they're all one in the same. That makes the religious debate personal, meaningful, and either right or wrong (meaning 'my way right, your way wrong')
follow me here...
We, as democrats have a variety of beliefs, religious and otherwise. But what holds us together as a party may just be our respect for one another. Religion has the power to destroy that tie, and it is currently doing so.
So I propose that we, as a PARTY, as Progressives striving for a better world, usher religious debate right out of the political door.
Religion and politics do not, and should not mix. It shouldn't matter what our politicians believe, it should matter what they intend to do with the job they're applying for.
When religion mixes with politics there is the tendency for someone's religious beliefs to be legislated or pushed onto others. This is unacceptable, and improbable, as I've said, religion is personal and private, and not something that anyone else can decide for you.
As I stated in a comment on another diary, Kerry has been labeled a bad catholic because he is pro-choice. The two should NEVER be intertwined. (If we're working on framing then this needs to be addressed) Kerry is pro-choice PERIOD. Not "Kerry is a pro-choice Catholic"
See the difference? OMIT CATHOLIC. It is not applicable to politics.
Again, as stated elsewhere
I want a politician who will stand up and say "My PERSONAL, PRIVATE faith is none of your business. Vote for or against me based on my platform and policies, not my religion. It is none of your business, just as your faith is none of mine."
If we could all just stand up TOGETHER and say that we aren't going to religiosize (that's a stretch for a word) politics then perhaps we can get back to running this country. Perhaps we can stop debating with one another things that are personal, private, no one else's business, but more importantly these debates, while fun for some, do NOTHING to help end hunger, get out of Iraq, stop Bolton, win 2006 elections, clean up our air, fix education and so on and so on.
Are you with me?
http://screamingme.blogspot.com/