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- From: J056600@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
- Subject: Re: Religious Right
- Message-ID: <92322.36489.J056600@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM>
- Sender: news@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (News)
- Organization: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
- Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 18:17:54 GMT
- Lines: 36
-
- In <13848@texsun.Central.Sun.COM>, Dave Bernard writes:
-
- (I wrote:)
-
- >>It is *not* an issue for the government. It is only those people who propose
- >>PUBLIC POLICY based on religion-based morality who are in the wrong.
- >>
-
- >Many things are declared immoral by the government, from murder to theft to
- >denial of civil rights. If religions also see these things as immoral are
- >the laws wrong? Alternatively, if religions see these things as acceptable,
- >are the laws then OK? What it comes down to is, what basis does a government
- >then have to declare this or that action immoral?
-
- Sheesh. I can't believe how distorted and taken out of context my statement
- has been. Let me try this again. Murder and theft are not just *religion-
- based* morality (re-read that portion of it). It's common decency--with which
- even atheists will agree. They involve a crystal-clear violation of our basic
- rights--religion not withstanding.
-
- Much morality stems from religion--not all. Virtually all "victimless crimes
- and sins" are based in religion. What about sodomy? Homosexuality? Are these
- morally wrong based on the infringement of rights? No--the objections that
- people have to these acts are based in religion, not just a common sense of
- fairness and protection of rights. Big difference there, and one which many
- of you seem to be oblivious to. Sins are a violation of your God's law--not
- civil and criminal law. Only when others have had their rights violated by
- your actions should civil and criminal law enter the picture. That does in-
- clude some religious tenets, but excludes others. The point is that religion
- should not be the *litmus test* which determines what is and is not legal.
-
- Is that a little more clear?
-
- Tim Irvin
- ******************************************************************************
- "Dammit, Jim! I'm a programmer, not a doctor!"
-