Aineo wrote:Roknrol, societies are governed by people who use moral values taught by their faith to make and enforce laws, which is why predominately Muslim nations are govered by Islamic Law (with a couple of exceptions) and most western nations have appealed to the Bible to establish their laws.
I agree that many nations use their predominant Faith to create/uphold laws. I do not believe the United States is such a Nation, nor do I believe that Religion is necessary for a person to have morals.
www.wordreference.com wrote:
morality
A noun
1 morality
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
I believe that you can know the difference between right and wrong without religion. Of course, good and evil are trickier
I don't necessarily equate good=right and evil=wrong. That being said, in a Nation such as ours where religion is most certainly not Governmentally enforced, why would people want to force their morals on other people - when those morals do not affect said persons at all? More on this below, since you address it
Aineo wrote:Romans 13:1-7
13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. 5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. NAS
Ok - scriptures enforcing that if you live in a place where laws apply, you have to abide by them (unless I'm missing something).
Aineo wrote:Since those of us who live in the United States are guaranteed the right to petition the government and have the Constitutional right to elect our government we can try to legislate Christian morality. However, our Constitution negates any possibility of declaring Christianity or any other religion as the only rule of law.
Amendment I
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.
Those who oppose pornography are within their Constitutional rights to express their opinions (free speech), just as those who support and use pornography have the same right.
I agree entirely with all of the above. I don't question their right to attempt to legislate laws that support their moral stance, I'm just wondering why it's any of their business. I could understand if there were naked people having sex in the streets - but that's not the case. Such acts as those are already illegal - however (because it's kind of the topic as well) for me to view pornography in the privacy of my own home or in a strip club does not affect you (or anyone else for that matter). Why should my rights be diminished? I'm pretty sure you know what I'm asking because we have discussed this a couple of times already
Aineo wrote:The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that each community has the right to regulate where pornography is sold but has also ruled that pornography is protected as free speech and press under the First Amendment, therefore Christians do not have the right to force our standards on non-Christians, however we do have the right to petition the government to tighten the regulation of pornography or any other human behavior we find harmful (physically, emotionally, or psychologically).
Why be protective of me? I'm a *huge* believer in the right to make my own mistakes (barring those that would harm you as well). It just seems to me that perfectly human adults should not have to be babysat by a group of people whom they fundamentally disagree with. I don't live in your house, why should I follow your rules? Does that make sense at all? Thanks for the reply, Aineo, I appreciate your input!