He certainly covered it all, and that is the mark of a good President, you can see he watched his people about everything, Thanks for the food for thought from this great man. Ellen B
Hi David I also believe that none of the candidates -on either side-scoff at religion. It might be said that some of the candidates play up their "religiosity" for political gain....i.e. the "Bible Belt" votes-there should perhaps be more attention paid to another major tenet of our country's doctrine -the separation of Church and State. We should be voting for the person who can steer us through these hard times. We can all pray-or not-as we do this together-as that is our right.
JoAnne - I doubt any candidates would scoff at religion since it pretty much would doom any chance they may have to get elected. Though I don't think they necessarily have to be hyper-religious either.
A politician shouldn't be speaking on religion either to scoff at it or to express devotion to it. Religion is personal and not for government, which ultimately won't do anything with Faith but abuse and corrupt it.
Patricia - good point. Religion should be personal, not a "campaign plank" to buy the votes of certain groups. Too much effort is put into playing the religion card and not enough time learning how to run the country.
I wonder if it's possible for a non-believer to be elected to the presidency. It seems to me that faith should provide inner strength, not dictate policy.
When I think of the political differences between the parties-I know that there are those who allow their religion to dictate their decisions-such as gay rights, abortion-but can't we keep these matters as legal matters-"all men are created equal" matters-not colored with tones of our differing faiths?
Patricia - I think that's where the problem is. Some of these issues fall into what some see as "moral" authority that trumps legal authority. But then again, how much is actually belief versus expediency (i.e., pandering to certain groups to get their vote/support). [Obviously this applies also to all lobbies with influence besides the religious lobby, e.g., unions, environment, petroleum/energy, defense contractors, etc.).
Interesting quote. I think it shows that he thought deeply about things before speaking from an early age, as well as acknowledging that nothing is "absolute" in opinion. That despite of who you are or the positions you fill, there are things that you have to "try" and have some principles(?) on; to be individuals. Thanks.
I have observed that the world has suffered far less from ignorance than from pretensions to knowledge. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. No agnostic ever burned anyone at the stake or tortured a pagan, a heretic, or an unbeliever. --Daniel Boorstin
Since nobody I know out there scoffs at religion (I haven't even heard Hillary Haters accuse her of that yet - ha ha) but I do worry about "wolves in sheep's clothing" - those who USE piousness.
Stepanie - a very interesting quote from Daniel Boorstin you put in your comment. It does make one think when you look back at all the wars the world has fought and how many of them were initiated by those who thought they knew what was "right."
Michelle - agreed. I'm looking for someone with integrity that can make decisions based on as close to the public good as is possible rather than what is good for the 1/2 of the country that voted for them.
Yes-that's it-integrity, passion-a sense of direction, humanity, fairness, bipartisanship-these characteristics are at the heart of who we need to lead us. Let us hope our leader is among them!
David- could you consider printing one of Lincoln's off color jokes? I think that there are some that are pretty well documented. I am not wanting to point to him as a perv, mybe a relatively clean one, I just think it fascinating that he was able to reach people in so many different modes of expression.
Chris - I'll see what I can come up with. My Lincoln joke books were on one of the shelves that got moved somewhere else during the flood renovations, so I'm not entirely where they are at the moment. Hmm, must be here somewhere.
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Comments: 35
Happy Holidays and thanks for the share.
I also believe that none of the candidates -on either side-scoff at religion. It might be said that some of the candidates play up their "religiosity" for political gain....i.e. the "Bible Belt" votes-there should perhaps be more attention paid to another major tenet of our country's doctrine -the separation of Church and State. We should be voting for the person who can steer us through these hard times. We can all pray-or not-as we do this together-as that is our right.
Thanks.
I have observed that the world has suffered far less from ignorance than from pretensions to knowledge. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. No agnostic ever burned anyone at the stake or tortured a pagan, a heretic, or an unbeliever.
--Daniel Boorstin