I haven't written much lately. Neil and Dakota have both decided to ignore my replies from now on because they don't like my take on their religion. I can't imagine why not. Anyway, here is something that I wrote from July 4th.

“Those two statements taken on their own should be enough to convince anyone that our founders did believe in the existence of some sort of a Creator, or God, therefore disproving the statement that there was no mention of Him in our founding documents.”

Of course, I’ve never said that there is no mention of God (though not specifically the Christian God) in any of our nations founding documents. I have said that there is no mention of God, Christianity, Jesus, etc. in the US Constitution. If you want to know just how essential the founding fathers really thought belief in Christianity, or even theism generally, was it might be illuminating to consider the most important document they ever wrote. Article IV section 3 says that no religious test shall ever be given to hold public office. Given the fact that many colonists came to the new world fleeing religious persecution it would make sense that the founders would not desire to have a religious test favoring one sect or denomination over another. But article IV section 3 says NO religious test, NOT EVEN A TEST FOR THEISM. Clearly they understood, as most of the religious right does not, that a non-theist could be just as fit or more so to lead the country than any believer could.

"John Adams stated, “The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity…”

You almost seem to be laboring to show that the American system never would have come to be if not for Christianity. Clearly that cannot be the case. Christian hegemony over western thought spans close to 1500 years before we see any of the vital concepts central to our system- i.e. constitutionalism, the separation of powers, equal rights, etc.- find a foothold. The bible doesn’t mention any of those things. The Bible tells us that we shouldn’t make graven images and that you shouldn’t covet your neighbor’s ox. If anything Christianity has been a roadblock in the way of human progress. Had the dark ages not set in and had people been free to pursue topics of political philosophy first expounded by the ancient Greeks, as Montesquieu, Locke, Hume, et. al were able to do only once again in the Enlightenment age, July 4, 1776 might have come much, much sooner.

“And for those who believe the Ten Commandments have no place in our lives…”

Yes, and how many of those Ten Commandments are currently serving as the basis of any of our laws. If the answer ain’t ten, you have some explaining to do. We are to believe that they are divinely inspired, remember. And the are commandments, not suggestions!

“How is it that we as a nation can support a President who hosts a gay, bisexual and transgender event to celebrate Gay Pride Month?”

Uh, because “we as a nation” includes gays, bisexuals and transgendered peoples, as well as a large percentage who understand that these people have the basic right to conduct their private lives as they see fit.

“I understand that there are those who do not believe as I do, and I can accept that fact. However, I cannot accept the fact that there are those who would prohibit me from freely expressing myself because my viewpoints stem from my religious beliefs.”

I couldn’t accept that either. However, if you are going to present your religious beliefs in the public sphere you had best not expect them to receive any special deference just because they happen to be religious beliefs, or because they happen to be “personal” beliefs, or because they are based on blind faith. People deserve respect, Neal, beliefs do not. Also, as I said before, if you can’t prove it you don’t get to call it truth.

Happy fourth, by the way.

I was polite. I wished him a happy 4th. I don't see what the problem is. Oh well...on to better things.