Personal Individual Rights verses Religion
Now there's a contradiction of two concepts that have always been at odds with each other. Religions have since their inception have always in varying degrees, dictated that religious beliefs over shadow and control personal individual rights. Religion has dictated how people should live their lives, irregardless of personal freedoms. Religion tells people how to live, and what to believe.
And that's okay, its a personal choice to accept how religion tells you how to live. That's a personal freedom and personal choice that is everyone's to make.
Incentive : Religion in the past has always implied that failure to follow religious teachings will have dire consequences, both here on earth, as well as burning in hell for eternity. Of course, if you completely follow the teachings you will be rewarded both here on earth and have everlasting life in heaven.
Of course, as with most teachings, interpretations and choosing which teachings to follow, and when and to whom they apply is subjective. Not all teachings apply, or not all the time, and apply to some people but not others. And again, that's okay if you make the personal choice to follow this concept. No one should interfere with your personal freedoms to your religious beliefs and practices. And if they did, you'd have every right to yell foul... no one should have the right to avert your personal freedoms.
Incentive : Religion in the past has always implied that failure to follow religious teachings will have dire consequences, both here on earth, as well as burning in hell for eternity. Of course, if you completely follow the teachings you will be rewarded both here on earth and have everlasting life in heaven.
Of course, as with most teachings, interpretations and choosing which teachings to follow, and when and to whom they apply is subjective. Not all teachings apply, or not all the time, and apply to some people but not others. And again, that's okay if you make the personal choice to follow this concept. No one should interfere with your personal freedoms to your religious beliefs and practices. And if they did, you'd have every right to yell foul... no one should have the right to avert your personal freedoms.
NOW INLIES THE PROBLEM:
Religions believe that this simple concept... individual personal freedoms applies to them... BUT NOT TO ANYONE ELSE THAT IS CONTRARY TO THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
ADD TO THIS... Religions lobby and influence laws so that their beliefs can be FORCED upon everyone. Clearly when it comes to personal freedoms... Those freedoms that are reserved for religion... are Not for everyone. Worse yet, the personal freedoms of everyone is being obstricted by religions... The very people that advocate their personal freedoms.
ADD TO THIS... Religions lobby and influence laws so that their beliefs can be FORCED upon everyone. Clearly when it comes to personal freedoms... Those freedoms that are reserved for religion... are Not for everyone. Worse yet, the personal freedoms of everyone is being obstricted by religions... The very people that advocate their personal freedoms.
The concept of separation of church and state is lost in today's society. So if religions are given the freedom to influence government and laws... Why are they exempt from paying taxes like the rest of the world.
Religion wonders why so many people are walking away from churches... Not from God, but from churches.
The ongoing contension on individual personal freedoms and the abortion issue is a prime example of religion forcing their beliefs onto others. Religion... Don't they have enough issues in their own house, without taking away the freedoms of others?
Politicians... They either let their personal religious beliefs influence their job for the people... All the people... OR they bow down to religious pressure so that they can get their votes.
Either way is a sad situation. Religion? Making everyone's life better? Or creating more drama and social division? That's an easy answer.
