Believe what you want. I believe in keeping my beliefs to myself in public, and will continue to do so as long as others give me the same respect. You bring it into the public space, you're opening yourself up for criticism - just as I would be.
If I'm in your house, I'll be silent and respectful if you wish to observe some religious practice or tradition (such as saying grace before a meal). No, I will not lead the prayer, that would be inappropriate.
If I'm in your place of worship, say for a wedding or memorial service, you bet I'll be silent and respectful - though it's unlikely I'll actually *be* in such a situation.
I understand that many religious people feel it's their duty to have their beliefs have the force of law - I'll oppose that as well in the marketplace of ideas. You want to teach my kid creationism as science, or bring your religion into public schools in any context other than comparative religion? No.
You come to my door to proselytize, I'll say no thank you and be polite right up until the point where you decline to remove yourself from my porch - and I'd never dream of knocking on your door to tell you that you aren't going to burn in hell.
(I don't mean you specifically, unless of course you are the kind of Christian who does such things.)
If I'm in your house, I'll be silent and respectful if you wish to observe some religious practice or tradition (such as saying grace before a meal). No, I will not lead the prayer, that would be inappropriate.
If I'm in your place of worship, say for a wedding or memorial service, you bet I'll be silent and respectful - though it's unlikely I'll actually *be* in such a situation.
I understand that many religious people feel it's their duty to have their beliefs have the force of law - I'll oppose that as well in the marketplace of ideas. You want to teach my kid creationism as science, or bring your religion into public schools in any context other than comparative religion? No.
You come to my door to proselytize, I'll say no thank you and be polite right up until the point where you decline to remove yourself from my porch - and I'd never dream of knocking on your door to tell you that you aren't going to burn in hell.
(I don't mean you specifically, unless of course you are the kind of Christian who does such things.)
