April 2009

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=46667

There seems to be an uproar regarding the Obama administration’s request that the “IHS” symbol be covered over because it was prominantly displayed in the camera shot of President Obama where he is to give a policy address.  It makes sense that this overtly religious symbol be blocked…and none of these reasons has anything to do with being anti-religious.

1. We ARE NOT a Christian nation.  We are a nation of religious freedom.  Showing preferential treatment of one religion over another is kinda the reason why this country was founded in the first place, right?
2. We’re trying to downplay this “we’re on a crusade against Muslims” thing that Bush started.  By having an overtly Christian symbol behind the president doesn’t do much to help that cause.
3. Isn’t there such a thing as separation of church and state?  Obama is the president of the United States of America and represents all Americans of all religious backgrounds.  What would the uproar be like if the symbol wasn’t Christian…but of another faith?

What’s the big deal?  Our spiritual relationships with God or whatever you decide to call it should be personal.  We can’t legislate religion or morality.  Sorry right-wingers.  That’s called theocracy.

Really good video on the nature of (and misperceptions about) openmindedness.

I’m not an atheist. In fact, I believe that there is an ultimate reality and that I am subservient to/a part of this reality. You can call it what you will. I call it God…but realistically, I don’t know what it is. So, I guess I’m agnostic.

Either way, I am openminded. Even after watching this video.