Admittedly this is not my area of expertise but doesn't this latest Executive Order move America closer to a Theocracy?

 

I guess a little but the US is so far from being a theocracy that this bill/law is the equivalent of one step in a one mile race. The US doesn't even have a state religion such as England = Anglican; Ireland, Italy, Spain, Monaco and many other Southern European countries = Roman Catholicism. The only first world country I can think of that could labeled a theocracy would be Vatican City, all 104 acres of it.

I guess a little but the US is so far from being a theocracy that this bill/law is the equivalent of one step in a one mile race. The US doesn't even have a state religion such as England = Anglican; Ireland, Italy, Spain, Monaco and many other Southern European countries = Roman Catholicism. The only first world country I can think of that could labeled a theocracy would be Vatican City, all 104 acres of it.

 

One step is one step too much.

There is nothing wrong with that but this action by President Trump allows a church or pastor to go beyond what you are describing. Additionally it allows religious groups to discriminate against against anyone that doesn't believe the way they believe.

 

Which is why I oppose it.

I hear you, those Equal Rights Laws don't mix well with my way or the highway doctrines.

 

I don't know many Christians that are against equal rights laws. If fact I think almost 100% of Christians that I know would say that people in this country have the right to live the way they want.

 

Just like everything else, the media finds the most extreme and makes the the poster person.

 

Just like I know several muslims and enjoy chit chatting over coffee about everything from theology to recipes to sports.

I don't know many Christians that are against equal rights laws. If fact I think almost 100% of Christians that I know would say that people in this country have the right to live the way they want.

 

Just like everything else, the media finds the most extreme and makes the the poster person.

 

Just like I know several muslims and enjoy chit chatting over coffee about everything from theology to recipes to sports.

 

This order gives Christians (and other religious groups) the ability to discriminate.

This order gives Christians (and other religious groups) the ability to discriminate.

 

Who doesn't have the ability to discriminate?

Who doesn't have the ability to discriminate?

 

I am speaking about a Government Sanctioned ability to discriminate.

I am speaking about a Government Sanctioned ability to discriminate.

 

Why can't it just be that people should not be required to do things that they are religiously opposed to doing?

 

I think the government allows Christians to be "discriminated" against

Just as much as anyone else. I feel like I have been discriminated against because of my religious beliefs before. I just go on living. Not worth getting overly upset about.

Why can't it just be that people should not be required to do things that they are religiously opposed to doing?

 

I think the government allows Christians to be "discriminated" against

Just as much as anyone else. I feel like I have been discriminated against because of my religious beliefs before. I just go on living. Not worth getting overly upset about.

 

What are you required to do that you are opposed to?

What are you required to do that you are opposed to?

 

Though you didn't personally ask me, I hope you don't mind me chiming in.

 

One example might be that under the current laws a Christian county clerk, though it goes against her beliefs, by law must issue a marriage license to a woman who has given birth out of wedlock, and is applying for her fourth marriage license.

 

For lack of any other real good examples that could be taken seriously, I'll add two more that often comes to mind:

 

Baking a cake, and a Christian print shop owner or employee honoring a request to make anti-christian signage for a demonstration.

What are you required to do that you are opposed to?

 

Personally? Required? Nothing. But my line of work does notput me in that position very often.

 

But we all know the examples on the news that Are brought up.

Although Trump’s order doesn’t go as far as some feared, it still is troubling. It sends the message that the IRS won’t be held accountable by this administration for continuing to turn a blind eye to even blatant examples of politicking by churches and other religious organizations. The underlying principle is that when the taxpayers provide a financial benefit to charitable organizations, they shouldn’t be asked to subsidize political views with which they might disagree.

If he were to persuade Congress to repeal the law, the effects could extend beyond priests and preachers issuing endorsements from the pulpit. Churches could become major factors in the financing of political campaigns and conduits for unaccountable special-interest political contributions. I feel that would be bad for both politics and religion & does nothing to promote religious freedom but it is about money. Those who talk about moving toward a theocracy...I see your point.