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Posted by Adam on December 10, 1999 at 15:32:40:
These are a few thoughts I've had on religion in general. I thought it perhaps discussion-worthy.
1. The government, at any level, must not exert itself upon religious matters.
2. The government must not force religion upon its people, nor prohibit religion from its people.
3. This is the basis of “Freedom of religion”.
4. The church, in turn, should not exert its influence upon political matters.
5. This is the concept of the separation of church and state.
6. As such, the church should not instruct others how to vote.
7. “Freedom of religion” implies “Freedom from religion”.
8. Scrip is not legal tender.
9. Any organization that requires its members to purchase a service or goods is not free.
10. A benevolent God does not segregate based upon social cl, status, or wealth.
11. Donations are exactly that: donations.
12. Donations are not required.
13. A religion that requires donations is inherently corrupt.
14. The temple is a place for spirituality.
15. A house of worship should not be confused with a house of business.
16. Faith is the only requirement for prayer.
17. A person who believes in a divine being can pray at any time.
18. A believer does not need an intermediary in order to offer a prayer.
19. Humans are not omniscient.
20. No human can hope to understand an omniscient being.
21. No human can appoint himself as an intermediary to a being that he cannot understand.
22. No human can be appointed or elected as an intermediary to a being that he cannot understand.
23. Because of our limited comprehension, God is to each of us what we make Him to be.
24. A benevolent spirit expresses himself through love.
25. A benevolent spirit does not promote murder,
26. Hatred and bigotry are not family values.
27. There is no such thing as a “Holy war”.
28. No one person is inherently “holier” than any other.
29. Neither gender is inherently more intelligent than the other.
30. Neither gender is more capable of contemplating a divine spirit than the other.
31. No religion should place limitations on a cl of people.
32. Women should be allowed to attain any religious rank or position that men are capable of.
-Adam