People & Power - Religion on the Run - 28 May 08

Film-makers follow an evangelical charismatic Christian preacher as he tours China and meet Guo Fenglian nicknamed the 'Iron lady'.

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[skr1blz]

The founding fathers didn't create a Republic with an authoritarian government in mind. The 2nd Amendment was created so that if the government tries to take absolute power it's within the *people's* power to dismantle it and start over. The power to protect freedoms lies within the people, not the government. A big government will always try to limit those freedoms, and it would be un-American to put the government's "right" to exist over the people's rights.

[emrys250]

So much for freedom of speech...

[hairybeast101]

screw religion and especially these american fundies

no better than the talibans

[GodKillerAtheist]

religion is silly nonsense for the weak minded fool that belives that only a fool cannot believe in some invisible flying sky daddy that knows all and is all powerful but is lazy and loves war and money

[cowmansr]

I'm really sorry you had such a bad experience in that school.

Many religious schools are concerned with discipline instead of exploration, so they don't really answer the kids' serious religious questions. Still, religious schools educate children better than public schools.

There is also a problem among some Christian groups (mostly the louder ones) where they emphasize scaring people with Hell. But the fact is that religious people are generally more filled with hope, and less with fear.

[mengwise36]

I believe we were talking about an authoritarian Chinese government at the beginning of the thread. But let's take American Republic for instance. Ever since the invention of artillery and tanks and planes, the 2nd Amendment had lost its purpose. Your guns will not dismantle anything that has tank and bombers. Now, it is reduced to whether someone can hunt duck or not.

Even back at the beginning of this Republic, I doubt anyone will get away with calling its destruction, religious or not.

[mengwise36]

It should be under number 2, not 3. Whatever you say regarding your religion is how you exercise your religion.

Again, on a practical matter. The government is founded on laws that protects its existence first and foremost. Without the government, who will protect anyone's freedom of anything? Therefore, any speech calls for the destruction of the government SHOULD not be protected. It is like me asking you to protect me from you when I try to kill you.

[skr1blz]

The freedom of religious speech would be included under the 3rd of your points. Of course the government is free to ignore this law and others, but technically yes freedom of religious speech no matter how vile would be protected under the Constitution.

[mengwise36]

No, it is not. That law says 3 things:

1. Freedom of establishing religion

2. Freedom of exercising religion

3. Freedom of speech.

Clearly they are 3 separate things.

On a practical matter, you really think any religion calling for the destruction of the USA will not be banned under some other pretense? As citizens, you are banned from committing treason whether it is within your religion or not.

[emrys250]

Sure it is.

-"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, ..." -

Certainly banning religious speakers, even when they speak on political matters, violates the first amendment. It is clearly in the text.

[mengwise36]

Religion is NOT freedom of speech.