Religious Freedom under attack?

[Prefer]

Does it make it OK if the religion is trash, or is that a matter of perspective?

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=scientology&s=rec

[LeftCoast]

1. Scientology seems only to be a religion for tax purposes

Of course, the special rights given to religions don't hurt either.

[Prefer]

4. OK - so as long as we say someone's beliefs are invalid, then it's OK to attack them

for those beliefs?

[LeftCoast]

5. By your reckoning Intel could call itself a religion

Where do you draw the line?

[Prefer]

6. I draw the line at attacking others

Basically, I am OK with others having their own beliefs which I am willing to respect and I expect them to be OK with mine and to respect my beliefs.

[Squatch]

14. How magnanimous of you

I believe that clubbing little cuddly baby seals is what my God commands me to do.

But, I expect you to be OK with that and respect my beliefs.

[Prefer]

17. It is all a matter of perspective

You go save those little baby seals and then go eat a hamburger to celebrate.

[zonmoy]

21. are there any religions that aren't in it either so that the preachers

can beg and harass people without consequence or taxes.

[PDJane]

2. well, scientology is a cult........

On the other hand, religion is totally illogical, and I have problems with all of them!

[saltpoint]

3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. yesterday on RING OF FIRE did a piece on

the religious extremism that he suggests is undermining the Founders' original intents for the nation.

It was excellent.

[Donnachaidh]

7. Scientology - a religion drawn up by a failed science fiction writer for tax purposes

Is a CULT.

[Prefer]

8. So what?

Are you saying that makes it OK to attack people for their religious beliefs?

[Squatch]

10. Let me rephrase that question for you...

"Are you saying that makes it OK to attack people for their...beliefs?"

Absofuckinglutely.

[Prefer]

11. So who is going to stand up for you when they come for you?

[Squatch]

13. Me.

I think I'm smart enough to defend my beliefs.

[Squatch]

9. "Failed science fiction writer"?

WTF are you talking about?

[Warren Stupidity]

12. There is no real difference between a 'cult' and a 'religion'.

Declaring a religion a 'cult' does not remove constitutional protections from that religion. 'Cult' is simply a pejorative way to describe a religion you do not like. Allowing the state to decide what is a religion and what is not is a violation of the establishment clause of the constitution.

[baldguy]

15. Religious freedom is only threatened by people who demonize the faith of others.

When the Vice President says that atheists shouldn't be considered to be citizens, THAT threatens religious freedom.

When the official stance of the government is that "One Nation Under God" and "In God We Trust" are more important that the Bill Of Rights, THAT threatens religious freedom.

When overt Christians are the only people who can realistically expect to attain high office, THAT threatens religious freedom.

[JBoy]

16. I don't see religious freedom under attack here

People are speaking out against a religion, with their own beliefs. I see them exercising their own religious freedom, part of which is the right to be free from religion, and to express their beliefs.

Later the point you are trying to make turns into "people" being attacked. Again, I see no people being attacked.

My personal opinion is that a religion is no more deserving of special status than the Hair Club for Men.

[zanne]

18. Agreed.

Atheists are probably the most oppressed portion of the population, but they're always being blamed for "persecuting" Christians.

[Prefer]

19. I agree that is an important distinction

- they are not persecuting any individual.

I also think scientology is a crock and people ultimately need to be protected from mind predation.

So where do you draw the line.

When I see people with hateful signs about someone's religion, something says to me, "this can't be too good". How does this differ much from Fred Phelps? By who is right?

I do notice one of the signs says "Ban Scientology". What if it said "ban Judaism"? Would that be OK? I suppose we do allow that sort of thing, as evidenced by Klan rallys.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

20. Strictly speaking

Scientology, and all other religions, are cults, at least within the academic meaning of the word. When they rise to the level of a huge religion, like, say Catholicism or Islam, they become ecclesiastical cults. Nonetheless, they remain cults.

[Cheap_Trick]

22. emo phillips summed up religion best for me when he said:

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said "Stop! don't do it!"

"Why shouldn't I?" he said.

I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"

He said, "Like what?"

I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"

He said, "Religious."

I said, "Me too! Are you christian or buddhist?"

He said, "Christian." I said, "Me too! Are you catholic or protestant?"

He said, "Protestant."

I said, "Me too! Are you episcopalian or baptist?"

He said, "Baptist!"

I said,"Wow! Me too! Are you baptist church of god or baptist church of the lord?"

He said, "Baptist church of god!"

I said, "Me too! Are you original baptist church of god, or are you reformed baptist church of god?"

He said,"Reformed Baptist church of god!" I said, "Me too! Are you reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?"

He said, "Reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!"

I said, "Die, heretic scum", and pushed him off.