by Modest Alchemist

Created on: August 17, 2010

     Why is it that in discussing religion and politics, only Christianity is discussed? Yes I know that there is a separation of church and state, but nowhere does it say which church. Of course back then it meant Christian church, but that was because that was the only acceptable religion of the times, and there were only 1000 people in this country.

     What peeves me about most discussion about religion and politics is that only Christianity is discussed. When it comes to religion being taught in schools, Christianity is brought up, and constitutional phrases of separation of church and state. Things like "God has no place in the school system" and "God should be kept in the church" are said time and time again. But what people fail to realize is that religion is a big part of anthropology and social studies. If people knew about other religions then there would be a lot less fighting and a lot more understanding. I'm not saying that there should be a prayer lead by school officials at the beginning of the school day. I'm saying that as a study, religion should be allowed. It is just fine for schools to teach about Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam in the social studies classroom, but if anything is said about Christianity, you can be sure that a lot of angry parents will be writing letters.
    
     What I am asking is, “Who said anything about God in the first place?” The constitution says separation between church and state because they don't want the church to get into political matters and make laws based on intolerance. But we're doing that anyway. Our founding fathers were trying to prevent situations like the Crusades and the Spanish inquisition. They weren't trying to start wars between the atheists and the spiritual people. I think everyone has missed the point, and the point is tolerance. Unless someone's beliefs are hurting people or domestic animals, then let them believe what they want to believe.

     I'm tired of religious profiling. I have chosen a religion, but it doesn't affect my view of people from other faiths, or no faith. Who cares if the next president is Christian, Atheist, Buddhist, or Islam? As long as the man or woman does a good job, then he or she should be president. And if it is decided that religion shouldn't be taught in schools, then I don't want my kids to come home and tell me that they've learned anything about Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, History, Science, or Literature. I think nothing is complete without some sort of background in religion. It is important to know why people do the things they do.

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