In God we Trust: America's rising religious zealotry

[emad]

In God we Trust: America's rising religious zealotry
Andrew Buncombe in Washington
07 June 2005


Some snapshots of religious zeal in the US: there are churches in Texas where 20,000 worshippers pray every Sunday; Alabama's most senior judge was dismissed for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his court; the re-election of George Bush ­ returned with the support of thousands of evangelicals lured to the polls by local laws banning homosexual marriage.

Such images leave little doubt about the importance of religion in a country where more than 40 per cent of the population say they regularly attend church. But a survey has underlined the huge gulf between the US and other industrialised countries on the influence of religion in everyday life.

Despite the separation of church and state being enshrined in the US constitution, more than 40 per cent of US citizens said religious leaders should use their influence to try to sway policy-makers. In France, by contrast, 85 per cent of people said they opposed such "activism" by the clergy.

"These numbers are not surprising," Daniel Conkle, who teaches law and religion at Indiana University, told The Independent. "The US, in separating church and state, has not followed with the notion that it includes a separation of religion and politics.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=644838

[Warpy]

1. They're loud as all hell, but their numbers are dwindling

Check out all the good and bad news at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/facts/1.htm

No matter your religion, or lack of it, there's both at this site.

The fewer they are, the louder they get. It's time for the largely secular majority to slap them down.

[Double T]

2. Those Who Wear Their Religion On Their Sleeve ...

usually have an agenda that has nothing to do with anything spiritual.

[getmeouttahere]

3. Oh, would I welcome a slap down!

But I think this country is still to apathetic and/or dumbed down to realize what is going on.

[Tux]

4. Yup

Numbers where most Americans want a clear separation of church and state.

<rant>
Fundies, from my observations, lack love. Unconditional love that is. They obey since their ministers, Falwell, Dobson, and Robertson tell them to obey or they will be hated (it's Christians vs liberal Christians who are really atheistic humanist pagan feminist gays). God and Jesus may hate them for not obeying. When a minister says to vote for Bush, they must. Like NC, they could be kicked out church, hated by baby Jesus, and burn in Hell for participating in a democracy. Some may disagree with their leaders but the peer pressure and the delusion of the "other side" hating them are too strong for them to act.

The best way to correct that is to talk with fundies as people. Let them know that we aren't their enemies. Our foes are Falwell, Dobson, and Robertson. Make them aware that they hate anyone that disagrees with them and let fundies know that they aren't following the true principles of their own religion. Let them know that we care, as we should, and they can disagree with them. If they get kicked out of church, point them to UCC. If the and their family hates them, let them know their love depends on their voting record and not on the person. Let them know the right hates but the left can care more than people can imagine.
</rant>

[Bellamia]

5. Not all the right hates........

Not all the left cares. The apathy/denial crosses all lines.

[earth mom]

6. They are loud and obnoxious-but hardly the majority-

the majority needs to speak up and fight this every chance we get! :grr: