Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religion specific values : Greg Laden's Blog

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Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religion specific values

Category: Politics
Posted on: June 10, 2008 8:03 AM, by Greg Laden

Their proposals need to be subject to argument and amenable to reason. and so on.

Hat Tip: Pharyngula.

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Comments

Sanity in public discourse? I'm afraid it will never catch on. Mainstream media won't let it, and multinational corporations set the agenda for the media.

Posted by: CRM-114 | June 10, 2008 8:37 AM

I really hate to throw the wet towel here, but not all religious persons are so disassociated from reason that they can't participate in public discourse. Yes, there is a fringe of Americans who use their religion like a club to try and destroy that which they don't understand, but so do a few atheists, some agnostics, and a fair number of secular humanists. I have come to the belief that it is just an innate trait in a certain percentage of the population, kind of like red heads with green eyes.

So, if you don't like what a person in politics is proposing, fine, disagree with him or her and support someone else. If you want more intelligent political discourse, elect intelligent politicians (they do exist). Just stop picking on people who follow religious traditions. its an old dodge. And we're a little tired of it.

Posted by: Philip H. | June 10, 2008 8:44 AM

Phil: What are you talking about??????

Posted by: Greg Laden | June 10, 2008 9:05 AM

Terrific video. When and where did Obama make these comments?

Posted by: Leaves on the Current | June 10, 2008 8:50 PM

Greg, Phil is just voicing the standard complaint.
I had heard about Obama expressing these sentiments before. I hope it will catch on.

Posted by: Valhar2000 | June 11, 2008 11:07 AM

The question then is why is this complaint standard? How does suggesting that religion needs to be translated into politics through a filter of reason mean that Greg's whining that all religious people are kooks who should be excluded from politics? How is he "picking on people who follow religious traditions" by suggesting tradition shouldn't be carried unexamined into the public square? Why is posting a video of a politician saying something intelligent denying the existence of intelligent politicians?

In other words, what is Phil talking about? Because whatever he's wet-towelling, it isn't this video or this post.

Posted by: Stephanie Z | June 11, 2008 12:53 PM

Self-Martyrdom: It isn't just for breakfast any more.

Posted by: JanieBelle | June 11, 2008 1:04 PM

It is this part I don't get, or maybe, just don't like:

Just stop picking on people who follow religious traditions. its an old dodge. And we're a little tired of it.

I just wanted to be sure what Phil was talking about before I whooped 'em upside da head.

I'm sorry, but no, we are not done complaining about religion or picking on religious people and won't be until the reasonable religious people take a firm stand against the yahoos and thus help make the yahoos go away. It is obvious that this sort of pressure, this sort of embarrassment, is needed. As long as a major political commenter on public radio can say, in a discussion of church/state issues and the US supreme court, "A secular society? Well, obviously, NO ONE wants that!" and not be called on it, I and others will be here to pick on the religious and religion itself. Bank on it. Bet on it. Expect it. Live with it. Love it.

Or, maybe Phil meant something else. But just in case, there's my tirade. For now.

Posted by: Greg Laden | June 11, 2008 2:51 PM