Spiritual People Inspire Me, Religious People Frighten Me
Recently in San Francisco, I bought a pin that says, "If religious groups want to get into politics, they should pay taxes." Not a bad idea, huh?
Certainly, there is no question that the separation of church and state is narrowing, at an alarming pace.
Our elected officials, and religious leaders, seem equally intent on ignoring the Constitution of the United States.
We already know what G.W. Bush & friends have to say---that we must "protect marriage" (you know, from those loving and devoted homosexual couples and parents), and that we must "protect the sanctity of life" (although this doesn't seem to apply to Iraqis, Iranians, or to people awaiting execution, for crimes which they may--or may not--have committed.)
Moreover, the Catholic Church, many Protestant churches, and some Jewish and Muslim religious organizations are further conflating religion and politics in America.
Recently, Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson said that actor, and former Senator, Fred Thompson wasn't "Christian enough" to be president of the United States. However, Dobson went on to approve Newt Gingrich--you know, that guy who has been married three times and recently admitted to having an extramarital affair. (I believe that Ted Haggard was Dobson's first choice for 2008, but then he had that little kerfuffle of "acting out.")
In 2002, five evangelical Christian leaders signed the "Land Letter" and presented it to President Bush, affirming a "Christian theological basis" to invade Iraq.
This very week, Cardinal Roger Mahoney--head of the Los Angeles Archdiocese--threatened his faithful with denial of heaven if they didn't support amnesty for illegal aliens. Cardinal Mahoney stated, "Anything that tears down one group of people or one person, anything that is a negative in our community, disqualifies us from being part of the eternal city." (Oh, reeeally? Why don't we ask him what he thinks about freedom for homosexual couples to marry!)
And, please don't get me started on the Pope—okay, I can't help myself—was he infallible *before,* or *after,* he was a Nazi?
