From: "Elisabeth"
Subject: just an opinion
I guess I have the most trouble with your position because it seems, in the practical applications of your views, more often than not, your belief that people should be free from religion infringes on the rights of those who want to freely express their religion. It's not an equitable world, and it seems that greater preference is given to the most vocal minority than the established majority. I've too often seen decisions made based on presumed offence rather than sound Constitutional law. There are inequities on every side, not just your position.
Actually, my position shouldn't have any effect on the private expression of religious beliefs. My position only causes problems for those who want to use the power of the state to aid and support the expression of religious beliefs. There are two important things to keep in mind about that. First, the Constitution doesn't give anyone the right to have the government support the expression of their religious beliefs. Second, the reason this is so is because our government doesn't have the authority to pick out religious beliefs to endorse or promote.
A person who wants to put the Ten Commandments on the front lawn can do so, but they can't have the government do it in public building. A person who wants to hang a crucifix on their wall or in their car can do so, but they can't have the government put on in every public school classroom. A person who wants to go around giving speeches on why Islam is the best religion can do so, but they can't expect any government officials to do the same thing while acting as a representative of the state.
I'm sorry that you choose to live without the exquisite joy that relationship with the Living God brings. But the Bible gives you an undisputed right not to believe and to live with the consequences of that choice.
In reality, my right to life without theism or religion is a product of the society we live in and the laws we live under - even if Christians still believed (as many once did) that there was no right to believe an error, that wouldn't change the secular nature of the American government.
I'm interested in knowing more about why being an atheist is the only option for you based on what you know. I've reviewed a ton of information on atheism and decided it's not the right choice for me.
The problem that Elisabeth has here is in thinking that atheism is some sort of "choice" - like picking out the best car or the most nutritious soup. Atheism is "the only option" for me because, given what I know, it simply isn't possible for me to start believing in any gods. For that, I would have to have good reasons for belief and right now I don't. Elisabeth presumably thinks she does, although she wouldn't share them with me and explain how or why they qualify as good reasons. Perhaps I am wrong and she was right - but I'll never know, and that puts her above statement about being sorry that I live without belief in her god in a new light.
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