Are you for or against the separation of church and state?

[ebg]

Any RELIGION?

[smax]

Very hard to imagine that there is much to discuss on this thread. Most theists should recognize that non-interference for their faction is in their best interest. It goes without saying why atheists should be for separation of church and state. So what is there to say? Has anyone actually argued against?

In a perfect world, this would be a clear cut matter, but in this one's, it's anything but clear.

Some of the same people who are for the separation of church and state are against removing the 10 commandments, and the Bible, from various court rooms.

Some people do not understand what it really means to be for the separation of church and state, and that's why it's an important topic of discussion.

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what about the issue of capital punishment? Can a senator base his decision on the advice from a person who's belief originates from astrology, or star wars...then why can't the senator base his decision on the advice from a jewish person or a muslim person or a christain person?

You seem to think there is a double standard here. There isn't. I don't care for the influence of anything fictional when it comes to government, and public office should be represent without such influences.

[The Grand Nudger]

Any RELIGION?

That would be correct.

[Atheist(KM)]

I support separation of church and state because, the US was not founded on a religious doctrine and,a government preferring a religion could lead to, irrational decisions even more than now and, possibly fully forbidding non-christians from holding public office. Also, most of all lead to, forced religious teaching in public schools(IE Creationism and Intelligent design) more so then now to, non-christians(atheists,deists pagans,muslims,hindu,etc)

[ebg]

Are all public officials (including student class presidents) that are influenced by religion violating the separation of church and state admendment? Is it correct to say that religion influence are: christianity, judaism, islam, hinduism, buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, taoism, shinto, sikhism. Animal worship, devil worshop,fire worship, nature worship, sun worship, taboo, voodoo, witchcraft, mormons, druces, gnostic, animism, ancestor worship... isn't that just about an inclusive list of everyone? How do you tell when a person is influenced by religion and who is not? I forgot JW, masons,seven day adventist.

[Atheist(KM)]

Are all public officials (including student class presidents) that are influenced by religion violating the separation of church and state admendment? Is it correct to say that religion influence are: christianity, judaism, islam, hinduism, buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, taoism, shinto, sikhism. Animal worship, devil worshop,fire worship, nature worship, sun worship, taboo, voodoo, witchcraft, mormons, druces, gnostic, animism, ancestor worship... isn't that just about an inclusive list of everyone? How do you tell when a person is influenced by religion and who is not?

I'd say people who in public office who make decisions solely on their religious beliefs such as, gay marriage should be illegal because the bible says so, does violate separation of church and state since laws should require, rational decisions along with it or, you're just forcing your religion upon others if, you have other legit reasons for wanting a law passed then, it does not. I hope this helped.

[ebg]

Can you please give me the definition of "rational". And how do I know that a. "Persons" rational decision for gay marriage (in the context of happy, or sexual orintation) wasn't influence by say the religion of christianity, or ancestory worship, or nature worship, or confucianism?

[Atheist(KM)]

Can you please give me the definition of "rational". And how do I know that a. "Persons" rational decision for gay marriage (in the context of happy, or sexual orintation) wasn't influence by say the religion of christianity, or ancestory worship, or nature worship, or confucianism?

Ok fine, Rational:based on or in accordance with reason or logic.
able to think clearly, sensibly, and logically
endowed with the capacity to reason Source:http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/
Logic:reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.
There will always be an influence of an belief but as long as that decision has validating evidence outside of their religion, it can be considered rational.

[Tex]

I'm for separation of church and state. I am not for separation of belief and person. A Christian senator that believes abortion is wrong should not have to put his belief aside for voting. However, a government is not a church and their respective duties should be split.

[Atheist(KM)]

I'm for separation of church and state. I am not for separation of belief and person. A Christian senator that believes abortion is wrong should not have to put his belief aside for voting. However, a government is not a church and their respective duties should be split.

I agree with you on most areas except, shouldn't the senator have a valid evidence and reason for, why abortion is wrong than just, solely acting on the bible if he acts solely on bible, he is being inconsiderate of the fact that not everyone is christian.