Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

I was raised in a family of devout Catholics. I will treasure that time in my life. The lessons I learned are at the core of the man I am today. However, at the age of 16, I had too many questions and very few answers; I made a decision to reject all organized religions.

I read how the people who were citizens living in theocracies were denied the freedoms offered by the United States: basic human rights. As I read the Constitution in high school, I discovered the importance of the First Amendment.

When we purchase shampoo, or any packaged food item, there is a list of ingredients. The first ingredient listed on the label reveals the largest percentage of the contents contained within the package.

The First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The first line of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights was clearly the most important to our founding fathers.

WHEN RELIGION IS INCLUDED IN GOVERNMENT, THE RESULT IS ALWAYS DISASTROUS

In the ‘name of religion,’ hundreds of millions of innocent men, women and children were slaughtered during the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and other wars based on the desire to force non-believers to convert or die.

The situation in the Middle East between the nation of Israel and Muslims is ludicrous, and began 78 years ago. Their division is based primarily on religion and locations shared by both.

The American people are deeply divided. The “United States” has not existed for decades.

When the Republican Party established an alliance with the Christian Religious Right for the sole purpose of expanding their base, Christianity received a loud voice in our nation’s politics.

Two of the greatest issues dividing our nation’s people in the 21^st century are abortion and same-sex marriage. Although neither is opposed by the Constitution, the CRR is adamantly opposed. Although this situation is a direct violation of the First Amendment, the cowardly Supreme Court refuses to act and save our nation from ultimate destruction.

REPUBLICANS ARE NOT CHRISTIANS

Although Republicans claim to be Christians, by their own actions they prove their opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Your illegitimate president, Donald Trump claims to be a Christian, although he serves our nation’s billionaires and intentionally increases the pain of working-class Americans. The pastor of the church Trump claims as his own told reporters that Trump has never crossed the threshold of his House of Worship.

100 MILLION AMERICANS REJECT ORGANIZED RELIGION IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

When I became an agnostic in 1962, I continued to question the words offered by priests, pastors, ministers, Imams, and Rabis spoken during the practice of their religions. They are men, not Gods, and their weaknesses are often exposed in their rhetoric.

Today, at the age of 79, I am an atheist. It is impossible for me to believe that a God exists as I watch the most vulnerable and innocent people in the world suffer, while the super-rich enjoy lives of luxury and debauchery beyond imagination, while ignoring the suffering of the majority. If God existed, He or She would most certainly smite the evil ones and protect the good people of the world. Trump, Putin, Mohammad bin Salman, Recip Tayyip Erdogan, and many other tyrants would not be allowed to cause enormous harm to the people of the world while they increase their personal wealth and power.

WHAT I BELIEVE AND WHAT I WILL ALWAYS PROTECT

The intent of the First Amendment is twofold. Every man, woman, and child has the right to practice the religion of their choosing. However, I and 100 million other Americans are protected from religion as well. We cannot be forced to comply with the tenents required by any individual religion.

However, I will always support the right of any man, woman, or child to practice the religion of their choice. I will also denounce anyone who uses religion for personal gain.

The fact that one-half of our federal government surrenders much of their power to one religion is an abomination and will be the primary reason for the demise of the former United States of America.

Trump is a fascist, and all fascists learn to use the weaknesses of people to attain power over them.

Will Trump soon become our nation’s dictator who is supported by fake-Christian extremists?

Op-ed by James Turnage

Follow my blog and be informed

My 10 novels are available on Amazon’s Kindle