Most Americans believe that the United States is a religious nation; specifically Christian. They would be mistaken. Although our founding fathers believed that religious freedom was paramount when they created the new nation, they were not religious themselves, and firmly believed that there should never be a national religion. The key word in all matters for Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Adams, and the rest was individual freedom in all matters. All religions were considered equal; no single faith was given specific freedoms or protections.

I firmly believe that the involvement of the Christian religious right in our nation’s politics and government is a first amendment violation. But why would the GOP care about another Constitutional violation? They do care about campaign contributions and voting blocks. I further believe that the vast majority of our politicians are not Christian; they use the name for political advantage, but do not believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Ben Carson is unqualified to lead our nation; about that there is no doubt. In addition, his religious extremism should prohibit him from seeking any political office. Those in Washington must represent all of our nation’s people, avoiding special interests.

Carson is a Seventh-Day Adventist. One of their most important beliefs is that the Catholic Church will unite with the United States government. This would become the ‘Babylon’ of the Book of Revelations. The Pope would be the ‘Anti-Christ.’ All religions would be forced to attend services on Sunday rather than Saturday.

Carson talks little about his religion of choice, with the exception of one paragraph.

“I’m a Christian,” he said. “I belong to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. I believe in godly principles, of loving your fellow man, caring about your neighbor, developing your God-give talents to the utmost so you become valuable to the people around you.”

His only other statement revealed that he believes that the world is near to the ‘end of times.’ The question is, with his hand on the ‘nuclear button,’ would he press it to fulfill the prophecy in which he believes?

The Seventh-Day Adventists are now called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses.’ The original date for the Second Coming of Christ and the end of times was October 22, 1844. Whoops; another religion was wrong about its beliefs.

Religious fanaticism is guilty for more wars and atrocities than any dictator or despot in history. Anyone who reads my rants is fully aware that I do not believe in organized religion; it is unnecessary. Man’s purpose on earth is to achieve spiritual and moral success. I don’t need a man standing behind a pulpit to tell me how to achieve those goals. Churches themselves are unnecessary; before greed destroys it, the beauty of nature is God’s church. A forest, a beach, a meadow filled with wild flowers; they all surpass any edifice ever made by man.

I don’t want a man or woman living in the White House who puts religion ahead of human rights and equality for all men and women regardless of their religious or sexual preference. I want a president who respects the meaning of the Constitution, and does not interpret it for their own personal benefit.

In addition, I do not believe that most self-proclaimed Christians believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He would not lead using anger as a tool, or judge others. He believed that all men are truly created equal, and left judging to God the Father. He also had multiple parables, one of which applies to America today.

“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2