Ok America its time to Burn your Bible.

Burning bibles would be a good alternative energy source during cold winter nights...

Can't burn my bible: don't have one.

Grab the one in the drawer at the next hotel you stay at. They won't mind. It's where I got the one I keep on hand for reference.

It infuriates me that the Christian Taliban is trying to turn our country into a theocracy

Does it also anger you that Mr Obama, at a white house prayer breakfast, declared Christ as his Savior? Would you consider him the Christian Taliban? I was actually proud of the President for making that declaration.

Lord, that reminds me of a story of when I was young and dumb. I was in a hotel with some other inhebriated youts and they started tearing apart magazines to make it snow. (why this was funny I no longer know). I did not have a magazine so i reached into that drawer and pulled out the inevitable hotel bible and started shredding it. The room stoped (about 12 other stupid kids) and stared at me. I just looked at them and said "even if you believe in this book, it is JUST PAPER" The snow storm ended there.

Does it also anger you that Mr Obama, at a white house prayer breakfast, declared Christ as his Savior? Would you consider him the Christian Taliban? I was actually proud of the President for making that declaration.

Not asked of me, Bubba, but I would venture to say--and I mean this as no disrespect whatsoever toward Obama--that he's probably not a religious person at all. Problem is, in modern-day politics, such a thing (being unreligious or atheist) is the politial kiss of death, and Obama is smart enough to know that. In politics nowadays, politicians must profess their faith and wear wedding rings and flag lapels. Otherwise, rumors fly. It didn't used to be that way, and it's a shame that it is today.

I just looked at them and said "even if you believe in this book, it is JUST PAPER"

You can still respect something even if you don't believe in it.

rhep, notice i said this happend a long time ago in my youth.Would I do it now? no. Not because I respect a book of fiction, but because it would not be my property and someone else would haveto clean it up. As far as ripping a bible up. To me its just a book with words it would be the same as ripping up a harry potter book. and in 99.999% of the time that would be pointess. So no I really do not respect the bible. Parts have wonderful literature and some nice messages. other parts a re contradictory to other parts (bad story telling) and other parts are down right evil.

Simple solution: Tax the damn churches that dabble in politics instead of being about the Lord's business.

That I can agree with, Tax The Churches.

And what other institutions, should we find we disagree with them, would you like to levy taxes upon in punishment?

I'm against taxing churches for the power to tax is the power to destroy, or in this case, silence. And as I'm a member of a religion that isn't exactly mainstream, I find such an ability rather excessive.

I agree that those who preach from the pulpit should risk losing their tax exempt status, but I'm not for blanket taxation of any religious institution, Christian or otherwise.

All businesses, agree or disagree with them. It is not a religion, or any religious beliefs that should be taxed, it is the places that are selling religion. You do not need a building, or a preacher (priest, rabbi, etc...) around for you to be religious or steadfast in your belief system.

This is not to suggest that you abandon your church or your faith. For one thing, any religious organization that lives up to its commitments to its congregation and community would have nothing to fear from filing a tax return, just like every other non-profit. For another, when these institutions pay taxes like every other non-profit, each citizen's tax burden is significantly lessened and consequently he or she maybetter endow a worthy institution with individual support.

It is the flip side of the same coin: as your right to practice a religion must be respected by government, it may not support churches by tax subsidies or any other means.

Tax-exempt status is a privilege - not a right - (Nor a "punishment") and churches should be held to the same standards as other non-profits - if not higher standards.

As for your being a member of "a religion that isn't exactly mainstream", you should be for it. Not all religious organizations enjoys tax breaks, only those our government deems legitimate. Is government in the business of deciding what is or is not a legitimate religion? Doesn't every instance where government makes such a determination amount to "respecting an establishment of religion?" Should the taxes of non-religious citizens be higher to subsidize every church, synagogue, and mosque in town? Should working women pay taxes to subsidize clergy and other employees' paychecks, when such positions are overwhelmingly - and legally - restricted to men?

The current scheme is unfair and unnecessary. Churches can and should pay taxes, just like everybody else.

You do not need a building, or a preacher (priest, rabbi, etc...) around for you to be religious or steadfast in your belief system.

Many religions do require a space to practice certain rituals, though. The community coming together and making one of those happen isn't "selling religion".

Tax-exempt status is a privilege - not a right - (Nor a "punishment")....

A tax added because you have issue with the organization, not because you feel they profiting unfairly, is a punishment.

If you have issue with how churches conduct themselves, why not complain to them first rather than stripping away a legal protection?

Not all religious organizations enjoys tax breaks, only those our government deems legitimate.

Actually, the government doesn't deem them appropriate or not. The belief system involved is not ever in question, only the structure of the organization and it's state purpose.

And even if not all religions were equal in the eyes of the law, why would that mean I'd want those that were recognized be somehow torn down rather than my own elevated?

You have never seen the bible hurt anyone? Then you never saw Sister Laverns mean and acurate throwing arm. She could pitch a bible with pinpoint acuraccy! Them bibles hurt!

On a sericous note. Thank you for adding "in my opinion". Because in my opinion the bible is not the greatest book but I respect your opinion and I hope you respect mine. Because thats the biggest problem with the religion debate in America. The "believers" as a whole have no respected others opinions for a long time and "non-believers" as a whole are respecting "believers" opinions less and less. Seems like the same is going on with Politics. But again that observation is just my opinion.

Overall nice post and this comes from an atheist. Cheers!

hehehehe :-)

1) Invest in commas.

2) Your article pretty much consisted of "Religion sucks, amiright?"

Presenting, I don't know, any constructed argument that might give insight into or make one question the nature of religion as a subject or Christianity as a doctrinal choice might have been interesting.

This was just an insult with a poll attached to it.

Because liberals put themselves above others Pat they should expect different treatment. Yep I singled them out here as an example a fine example of intolerance and hate. One must address ones audience Pat.

tesla, by posting what you just posted, doyou realized you did what you accuse liberals of?

Welcome to Generalization vine. If you state it, it must be fact.

Yes I do realize but I do not try to hide my disdain for the liberal agenda nor my campiagn against it foodbaby. Honesty sets me apart from the liberal.

Tesla, if the only thing that sets you apart from liberals is that you detest liberals, then you have nothing useful to add to this or any debate.

And for the record, there's nothing particularly "liberal" about burning Bibles or thinking religion is harmful, any more than converting by the sword is a plank in the conservative platform.

Intolerance when met with intolerance is only magnified.

Many more things than my mere detesting set me apart Fluffy. But your assertion that I have nothing to add to any debate is unfounded and based on nothing more than a single comment. I would have expected better coming from you. I tolerate liberals each and every day of my life what I will not tolerate is hypocrisy and the arrogance that says one is better than all because they say they are. You disappoint, Fluffy.

You disappoint, Fluffy.

And you have offended me, tesla. I know we've had discussion elsewhere, but your first volley was nothing but a damning generalization and it went downhill from there. If you feel you must denigrate an entire political spectrum, then either temper your thoughts explicitly, to demonstrate you are not simply making a indefensible blanket statement, or expect to get called on on making an indefensible blanket statement..

I am a moderate, but I know enough people who identify as liberals to know that your statements are untrue, if not vicious lies. You say you expect better of me, and perhaps you have reason. But I know I expect better of anyone than the shots you've taken in this comment thread.

Good day to you. My opinion of your disdain and intolerance remains unchanged by your protest and rebuttal.

"Religion is bad" Ok Mr. Mackey!