Somebody must inform religious zealots known as evangelicals, and all hypocritical Christians that this is the 21st century, not the dark ages. Contrary to what the right wing and one of their sponsors, the Christian religious right, would like you to believe, the United States of America was not founded based on religion, in fact, the majority of our founding fathers did not believe in any form of religion. They were ‘deists.’
For those who need a crutch, religion is as good as any. However, it has no place in our government and should have no influence over our lawmakers. This is a direct violation of the first amendment and must be condemned by all politicians, or they must be prevented from seeking public office.
What have been labeled ‘hot button issues’ would not exist if the Christian religious right was denounced as a lobby which is in violation of the Constitution. Because of this one lobby, America is far behind other developed nations. Subjects such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and transgender Americans in the military would not have become issues contained in the platforms of candidates seeking office without religious influence.
The government has no right to tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her own body. The Christian religious right is behind what has become known as the ‘pro-life,’ and the opposition ‘pro-choice’ movements. It is the woman whose life is affected by this incredibly difficult decision, not an unformed fetus. When men are convicted of rape, they are not forced to submit to castration; but they’re men and are superior to women in the eyes of religious leaders.
Homosexuals are born, not made. This is another fact which is not accepted by organized religion. Every other nation in the world accepts this fact with the exception of our puritanical country. Same-sex marriage is simply equal treatment under the law; the 14th amendment. It’s time to grow up and move forward into the next century; into the real world.
Psychiatrists around the world agree that a percentage of humans are members of the transgender community. These men and women experienced the growth of one sexual organ, and their brains developed the emotions and thought process of the other.
Thousands of transgendered military serve America around the world; and your illegitimate president wants ban all of them from the army, navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Of course a group of controlling and ignorant evangelicals are supporting his immoral and unconstitutional decision.
Denny Burk is the head of an evangelical council which has issued a “Christian manifesto.” It claims that homosexuality, same-sex marriage and transgender is “not in god’s plan.” He makes the traditional and fallacious claim that only heterosexual marriage is accepted in the eyes of god, and marriage between members of the same sex is an abomination. “The aim of the Nashville Statement is to shine a light in the darkness,” Burk said.
Isn’t it fascinating that some men and some women believe that they have the right to speak for their god? Nowhere in the bible; in any version, are his statements confirmed by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Burk stands with Trump’s revolting decision.
The statement was signed by 148 evangelicals, including Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines and Erick Erickson, a conservative blogger, radio host and former political commentator on CNN.
“Our true identity, as male and female persons, is given by God,” the preamble said. “It is not only foolish, but hopeless, to try to make ourselves what God did not create us to be.”
Just guess how much money these individuals earn each year “spreading the word of god?” They are one of the main reasons why I denounce all organized religion.
No man or woman can speak for a god, and no man or woman will ever have the right to instruct me about how to become a more spiritual person. I was given this ability at birth, and am as qualified as any of them to instruct others about what is right or wrong.
65 million Americans denounce religion and deny or question the existence of a god; and our numbers are growing. Millennials are asking questions about their parent’s religion and refusing to follow them into their places of worship.
The world is changing, and America can lead, follow, or be left behind.
Please re-post; thank you.
Op-ed by James Turnage
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