So the blasphemy thread...

[Captain Obvious]

... got me thinking.

Religious people tend to be right wing which I think is kind of ironic. Right wingers want small government, freedom, speech, limited regulations, they oppose oppression and tyranny and all that stuff, right? They generally oppose restrictive governmental regimes telling them what to do and what not to do.

But in their religious lives they're totally ok with "love me or be condemned to hell", "no sex until you're married", no contraception, obey the Sabbath or else, blasphemy is forbidden, all these things that are freedom, speech prohibited. So when China, North Korea or whoever promote it it's wrong but when a faith promotes it, it's law.

Kind of funny how that works, no?

[Helena]

This is why politics/government shouldn't be influenced by religion.

[Helena]

Blurry lines and blatant hypocrisies.

[stjames1_53]

You're comparing East to West. An ocean of culture and religious practices apart. And there isn't but one approved religion for each country. The state picks the religion and destroys the completion, literally. You must practice as the state orders. Here, not so much, but so much more. Believe or not, it is always a choice. You can ignore the rest and let them all life in peace.
One must believe in what they chose, live life, be good to your family and inner-circle friends. Be smarter that it is, and never, ever buy a basket of rotten apples.....beauty of living in America

[Chris]

Religion doesn't work that way, as I understand it, it's a matter of faith in God by which you gain salvation.

[Lummy]

Your talking about social norms that control individual behavior, I think.


Back in the 50's and early 60's, they were a great deal stronger and more controlling than they are today. Propriety was a lot more important.


By comparison, today's social norms are almost nonexistent. I just about puke the way some people dress and present themselves in public. I don't know if one can really appreciate this if one hadn't lived in it.

[Helena]

Religion doesn't work that way,

Religion works exactly that way.

it's a matter of faith in God by which you gain salvation.

And it's the rare gem that has a humble quiet faith and lives accordingly.

[Lummy]

So when China, North Korea or whoever promote it it's wrong but when a faith promotes it, it's law.

Kind of funny how that works, no?

That's really dumb, if I understand you, and I'm not sure I do. This isn't China or North Korea.

[Captain Obvious]

That's really dumb, if I understand you, and I'm not sure I do. This isn't China or North Korea.

Correct, you don't understand me.

[Captain Obvious]

Religion doesn't work that way, as I understand it, it's a matter of faith in God by which you gain salvation.

How is that different than N Korean Juche?