Guest Patriot Games Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ God's Numbers The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. Newsweek March 31, 2007 March 30, 2007 - A belief in God and an identification with an organized religion are widespread throughout the country, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. Nine in 10 (91 percent) of American adults say they believe in God and almost as many (87 percent) say they identify with a specific religion. Christians far outnumber members of any other faith in the country, with 82 percent of the poll's respondents identifying themselves as such. Another 5 percent say they follow a non-Christian faith, such as Judaism or Islam. Nearly half (48 percent) of the public rejects the scientific theory of evolution; one-third (34 percent) of college graduates say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact. Seventy-three percent of Evangelical Protestants say they believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years; 39 percent of non-Evangelical Protestants and 41 percent of Catholics agree with that view. Although one in ten (10 percent) of Americans identify themselves as having "no religion," only six percent said they don't believe in a God at all. Just 3 percent of the public self-identifies as atheist, suggesting that the term may carry some stigma. Still, the poll suggests that the public's tolerance of this small minority has increased in recent years. Nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents felt the country is more accepting of atheists today that it used to be and slightly more (49 percent) reported personally knowing an atheist. Those numbers are higher among respondents under 30 years old, 62 percent of whom report knowing an atheist (compared to just 43 percent of those 50 and older). Sixty-one percent of the under-30 cohort view society as more accepting of atheists (compared to 40 percent of the Americans 50 and older). Still, it is unlikely that a political candidate would serve him or herself well by declaring their atheism. Six in ten (62 percent) registered voters say they would not vote for a candidate who is an atheist. Majorities of each major party - 78 percent of Repulicans and 60 percent of Democrats - rule out such an option. Just under half (45 percent) of registered independents would not vote for an atheist. Still more than a third (36 percent) of Americans think the influence of organized religion on American politics has increased in recent years. But the public is still split over whether religion has too much (32 percent) or too little (31 percent) influence on American politics. Democrats tend to fall in the "too much" camp (42 percent of them, as opposed to 29 percent who see too little influence) as Republicans take the opposite view (42 percent too little; 14 percent too much). In the poll, 68 percent of respondents said they believed someone could be moral and an atheist, compared to 26 percent who said it was not possible. The NEWSWEEK poll also asked respondents about recent developments in national politics. This week the Senate joined the U.S. House of Representatives in passing legislation along party lines that included a "goal" for troop withdrawal by next March. A majority (57 percent) of Americans support the legislation. The president's approval ratings remain at just 33 percent, up just three points from his all-time low in the NEWSWEEK poll earlier this month. Two-thirds (66 percent) of the respondents were dissatisfied with the direction the country is headed in and Bush's rating for his handling of the war in Iraq (28 percent) continues to be lower than his handling of terrorism (45 percent) and the economy (41 percent). Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who recently announced that his wife's cancer has returned, is a popular figure, with 41 percent of Americans saying they have a generally favorable view of him (27 percent have an unfavorable view). And most (56 percent) think the former senator should remain in the race despite his wife's medical situation. Very few (12 percent) suspect that he is using Elizabeth's illness to his political advantage. Seventy-two percent feel that staying in the race was something the Edwards family genuinely saw as the right thing to do and half (51 percent) think it will put Edwards more in touch with the concerns of average Americans (41 percent don't). Indeed, just 11 percent of Americans think his wife's health would be enough of a distraction to keep Edwards from his duties were he to be elected next year (64 percent think her illness would be at least "somewhat" distracting). The poll also found limited voter demand for former Vice President Al Gore to toss his hat into the ring. Despite a spate of publicity around his involvement in the Academy Award-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," only a third (33 percent) of registered voters want to see him run again while a majority (56 percent) would not. Still, about half (49 percent) say there is at least some chance they would vote for Gore if he were on the ballot next year (a quarter, 24 percent, say there would be a "good chance" he would get their vote). Nearly half of registered Democrats (47 percent) want him to run, 39 percent do not and 14 percent are undecided. The NEWSWEEK Poll, conducted March 28-March 29, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points for questions based on all registered voters and plus or minus 6 percentage points for results based on registered Republicans and Republican leaners. In conducting the poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates International interviewed 1,004 adults aged 18 and older. Quote
Guest 9 Trillion Dollar Republican Natio Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 On Jul 23, 7:59 am, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus" <Patr...@America.com> wrote: > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ > = God's Numbers = The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed = believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > > Newsweek > March 31, 2007 > > March 30, 2007 - A belief in God and an identification with an organized > religion are widespread throughout the country, according to the latest > NEWSWEEK poll. Nine in 10 (91 percent) of American adults say they believe > in God and almost as many (87 percent) say they identify with a specific > religion. Christians far outnumber members of any other faith in the > country, with 82 percent of the poll's respondents identifying themselves as > such. Another 5 percent say they follow a non-Christian faith, such as > Judaism or Islam. Nearly half (48 percent) of the public rejects the > scientific theory of evolution; one-third (34 percent) of college graduates > say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact. Seventy-three > percent of Evangelical Protestants say they believe that God created humans > in their present form within the last 10,000 years; 39 percent of > non-Evangelical Protestants and 41 percent of Catholics agree with that > view. > > Although one in ten (10 percent) of Americans identify themselves as having > "no religion," only six percent said they don't believe in a God at all. > Just 3 percent of the public self-identifies as atheist, suggesting that the > term may carry some stigma. Still, the poll suggests that the public's > tolerance of this small minority has increased in recent years. Nearly half > (47 percent) of the respondents felt the country is more accepting of > atheists today that it used to be and slightly more (49 percent) reported > personally knowing an atheist. Those numbers are higher among respondents > under 30 years old, 62 percent of whom report knowing an atheist (compared > to just 43 percent of those 50 and older). Sixty-one percent of the under-30 > cohort view society as more accepting of atheists (compared to 40 percent of > the Americans 50 and older). > > Still, it is unlikely that a political candidate would serve him or herself > well by declaring their atheism. Six in ten (62 percent) registered voters > say they would not vote for a candidate who is an atheist. Majorities of > each major party - 78 percent of Repulicans and 60 percent of Democrats - > rule out such an option. Just under half (45 percent) of registered > independents would not vote for an atheist. Still more than a third (36 > percent) of Americans think the influence of organized religion on American > politics has increased in recent years. But the public is still split over > whether religion has too much (32 percent) or too little (31 percent) > influence on American politics. Democrats tend to fall in the "too much" > camp (42 percent of them, as opposed to 29 percent who see too little > influence) as Republicans take the opposite view (42 percent too little; 14 > percent too much). In the poll, 68 percent of respondents said they believed > someone could be moral and an atheist, compared to 26 percent who said it > was not possible. > > The NEWSWEEK poll also asked respondents about recent developments in > national politics. This week the Senate joined the U.S. House of > Representatives in passing legislation along party lines that included a > "goal" for troop withdrawal by next March. A majority (57 percent) of > Americans support the legislation. The president's approval ratings remain > at just 33 percent, up just three points from his all-time low in the > NEWSWEEK poll earlier this month. Two-thirds (66 percent) of the respondents > were dissatisfied with the direction the country is headed in and Bush's > rating for his handling of the war in Iraq (28 percent) continues to be > lower than his handling of terrorism (45 percent) and the economy (41 > percent). > > Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who recently announced that > his wife's cancer has returned, is a popular figure, with 41 percent of > Americans saying they have a generally favorable view of him (27 percent > have an unfavorable view). And most (56 percent) think the former senator > should remain in the race despite his wife's medical situation. Very few (12 > percent) suspect that he is using Elizabeth's illness to his political > advantage. Seventy-two percent feel that staying in the race was something > the Edwards family genuinely saw as the right thing to do and half (51 > percent) think it will put Edwards more in touch with the concerns of > average Americans (41 percent don't). Indeed, just 11 percent of Americans > think his wife's health would be enough of a distraction to keep Edwards > from his duties were he to be elected next year (64 percent think her > illness would be at least "somewhat" distracting). > > The poll also found limited voter demand for former Vice President Al Gore > to toss his hat into the ring. Despite a spate of publicity around his > involvement in the Academy Award-winning documentary "An Inconvenient > Truth," only a third (33 percent) of registered voters want to see him run > again while a majority (56 percent) would not. Still, about half (49 > percent) say there is at least some chance they would vote for Gore if he > were on the ballot next year (a quarter, 24 percent, say there would be a > "good chance" he would get their vote). Nearly half of registered Democrats > (47 percent) want him to run, 39 percent do not and 14 percent are > undecided. > > The NEWSWEEK Poll, conducted March 28-March 29, has a margin of error of > plus or minus 4 percentage points for questions based on all registered > voters and plus or minus 6 percentage points for results based on registered > Republicans and Republican leaners. In conducting the poll, Princeton Survey > Research Associates International interviewed 1,004 adults aged 18 and > older. Yes but only the ones that are Democrats actually practice the teachings of Christ, the Republicans that claim to be Christian that murder, lie, cheat, steal, pollute and are prejudice like you aren't actually Christians, so your numbers are not truly accurate, then again, what else is new. Quote
Guest Patriot Games Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 "9 Trillion Donuts Stuffed In My Fat Face" <icadserve@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1185193439.183195.193900@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com... > On Jul 23, 7:59 am, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus" > <Patr...@America.com> wrote: >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ > = God's Numbers > = The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults > surveyed > = believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. >> Newsweek >> March 31, 2007 > Yes but only the ones that are Democrats actually practice the > teachings of Christ, the Republicans that claim to be Christian that > murder, lie, cheat, steal, pollute and are prejudice like you aren't > actually Christians, so your numbers are not truly accurate, then > again, what else is new. Its a POLL, fool. The numbers are what they are. And you think its being Christian saying, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus"??? Hahahahahahahahhha!!! You have the brain of a barn animal and the sex life to match! Quote
Guest Jerry Kraus Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 On Jul 23, 6:59 am, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@America.com> wrote: > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ > > God's Numbers > The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed > believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > Given the number of sects of Christianity, and the extent to which they are at odds with each other, this is about as meaningful and as useful as saying that America is a "white" nation. After all, the vast majority of Americans are Caucasian. Shall we make Caucausian the "national race"? Do you advocate the suppression of all "evolution" related teachings? Say, all genetics and all genetic related treatments, diagnoses, therapies and technologies? There is no such thing as a "Christian" nation. Christianity is not a single, unified religious, philosophical or legal conception. All this poll shows is a vague tendancy to find certain aspects of Christianity sympathetic. Quote
Guest 9 Trillion Dollar Republican Natio Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 On Jul 23, 1:46 pm, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@America.com> wrote: > "9 Trillion Donuts Stuffed In My Fat Face" <icadse...@yahoo.com> wrote in > messagenews:1185193439.183195.193900@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com... > > > On Jul 23, 7:59 am, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus" > > <Patr...@America.com> wrote: > >>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ > > = God's Numbers > > = The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults > > surveyed > > = believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > >> Newsweek > >> March 31, 2007 > > Yes but only the ones that are Democrats actually practice the > > teachings of Christ, the Republicans that claim to be Christian that > > murder, lie, cheat, steal, pollute and are prejudice like you aren't > > actually Christians, so your numbers are not truly accurate, then > > again, what else is new. = Its a POLL, fool. The numbers are what they are. No, the numbers include Republicans who are not true Christians, so your poll is inaccurate. = And you think its being Christian saying, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian = Who Hates Jesus"??? You are a Republican, what part of the above statement confuses you? the part where you are not a real Christian because you do not follow the actual teachings of Christ? or the part where you quite obviously hate Jesus because you do not follow the actual teachings of Christ? = You have the brain of a barn animal and the sex life to match! Yes we all know you enjoy having sex with barn animals, I believe there are plenty of other newsgroups on Usenet just for people like you. This forum is for politics though, so try hard and keep you little tiny pee pee in your pants junior, no one here wants to know about your bestiality interests. Quote
Guest AnAmericanCitizen Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> wrote: >God's Numbers >The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed >believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of evolution? ....AAC Quote
Guest robw Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 You have sex with something akin to a barnyard animal. "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> wrote in message news:46a4e95e$0$31240$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > "9 Trillion Donuts Stuffed In My Fat Face" <icadserve@yahoo.com> wrote in > message news:1185193439.183195.193900@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com... > > On Jul 23, 7:59 am, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus" > > <Patr...@America.com> wrote: > >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ > > = God's Numbers > > = The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults > > surveyed > > = believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > >> Newsweek > >> March 31, 2007 > > Yes but only the ones that are Democrats actually practice the > > teachings of Christ, the Republicans that claim to be Christian that > > murder, lie, cheat, steal, pollute and are prejudice like you aren't > > actually Christians, so your numbers are not truly accurate, then > > again, what else is new. > > Its a POLL, fool. The numbers are what they are. > > And you think its being Christian saying, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian > Who Hates Jesus"??? > > Hahahahahahahahhha!!! > > You have the brain of a barn animal and the sex life to match! > Quote
Guest Bekan Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 AnAmericanCitizen wrote: > On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" > <Patriot@America.com> wrote: > >> God's Numbers >> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults >> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of >> evolution. > > Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of > evolution? ....AAC > > By implication og both, no. Quote
Guest Patriot Games Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 "9 Trillion Dumpsters Dived For Dinner" <icadserve@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1185233888.406380.244320@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com... > On Jul 23, 1:46 pm, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@America.com> wrote: >> "9 Trillion Donuts Stuffed In My Fat Face" <icadse...@yahoo.com> wrote in >> messagenews:1185193439.183195.193900@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com... >> > On Jul 23, 7:59 am, "Patriot Games the Fake Christian Who Hates Jesus" >> > <Patr...@America.com> wrote: >> >>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/ >> > = God's Numbers >> > = The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults >> > surveyed >> > = believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. >> >> Newsweek >> >> March 31, 2007 >> > Yes but only the ones that are Democrats actually practice the >> > teachings of Christ, the Republicans that claim to be Christian that >> > murder, lie, cheat, steal, pollute and are prejudice like you aren't >> > actually Christians, so your numbers are not truly accurate, then >> > again, what else is new. > = Its a POLL, fool. The numbers are what they are. > No, the numbers include Republicans who are not true Christians, so > your poll is inaccurate. And you know that how? Oh, wait, I get it, Democrats like yourself who enjoy murdering babies think its okay and Christina because you haven't been punished - YET? > = And you think its being Christian saying, "Patriot Games the Fake > Christian > = Who Hates Jesus"??? > You are a Republican, what part of the above statement confuses you? > the part where you are not a real Christian because you do not follow > the actual teachings of Christ? or the part where you quite obviously > hate Jesus because you do not follow the actual teachings of Christ? Hahahahahahaa!!! Yep, you SURE are a true Christian! I'm sure the 82% of Americans who are Christians will remember Democrats like you when it comes time to vote! Quote
Guest Patriot Games Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 "AnAmericanCitizen" <NoAmnesty@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:g7gaa35jea6q8qsp77isvho6b8gj7a23nl@4ax.com... > On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> > wrote: >>God's Numbers >>The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed >>believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of > evolution? ....AAC Sure it is. Here's the Cliff Notes version: God invented Evolution. What's odd is that over the last few decades the number of people self-identifying as Christian has risen steadily AND the number of people NOT accepting Biblical Creationism has decreased steadily. Obviously this enormous percentage of the population isn't getting anti-Creationism information from their local church or sunday school... Which suggests they are seeking it out on their own, reading on their own, thinking on their own, etc. But don't tell the anti-God Democrats! They like to think that Christians are southern, rednecks, stupid, a tiny minority and still believe in Creationism.... (Boy, do they have a surprise coming in '08.) Quote
Guest Patriot Games Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message news:46a5ad6b$0$92939$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... > AnAmericanCitizen wrote: >> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" >> <Patriot@America.com> wrote: >>> God's Numbers >>> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults >>> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of >>> evolution. >> Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of >> evolution? ....AAC > By implication og both, no. Of course it is: God invented Evolution. Duh... Quote
Guest Bekan Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 Patriot Games wrote: > "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message > news:46a5ad6b$0$92939$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... >> AnAmericanCitizen wrote: >>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" >>> <Patriot@America.com> wrote: >>>> God's Numbers >>>> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults >>>> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of >>>> evolution. >>> Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of >>> evolution? ....AAC >> By implication og both, no. > > Of course it is: God invented Evolution. > > Duh... > > Which god? Quote
Guest Patriot Games Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message news:46a64020$0$93474$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... > Patriot Games wrote: >> "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message >> news:46a5ad6b$0$92939$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... >>> AnAmericanCitizen wrote: >>>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" >>>> <Patriot@America.com> wrote: >>>>> God's Numbers >>>>> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults >>>>> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of >>>>> evolution. >>>> Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of >>>> evolution? ....AAC >>> By implication og both, no. >> Of course it is: God invented Evolution. >> Duh... > Which god? This one: God. Quote
Guest robw Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 A cite for your "increase-decrease" line?? "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> wrote in message news:46a5f8c4$0$31288$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > "AnAmericanCitizen" <NoAmnesty@earthlink.net> wrote in message > news:g7gaa35jea6q8qsp77isvho6b8gj7a23nl@4ax.com... > > On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> > > wrote: > >>God's Numbers > >>The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults surveyed > >>believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of evolution. > > Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of > > evolution? ....AAC > > Sure it is. > > Here's the Cliff Notes version: God invented Evolution. > > What's odd is that over the last few decades the number of people > self-identifying as Christian has risen steadily AND the number of people > NOT accepting Biblical Creationism has decreased steadily. > > Obviously this enormous percentage of the population isn't getting > anti-Creationism information from their local church or sunday school... > Which suggests they are seeking it out on their own, reading on their own, > thinking on their own, etc. > > But don't tell the anti-God Democrats! They like to think that Christians > are southern, rednecks, stupid, a tiny minority and still believe in > Creationism.... > > (Boy, do they have a surprise coming in '08.) > Quote
Guest robw Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 If you're talking spiritually it would be "created" not "invented" you f cking moron. "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> wrote in message news:46a5f92a$0$30650$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message > news:46a5ad6b$0$92939$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... > > AnAmericanCitizen wrote: > >> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" > >> <Patriot@America.com> wrote: > >>> God's Numbers > >>> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults > >>> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of > >>> evolution. > >> Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of > >> evolution? ....AAC > > By implication og both, no. > > Of course it is: God invented Evolution. > > Duh... > Quote
Guest robw Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 And that's every religions'God. The country might be at 82%, how about the world??? "Patriot Games" <Patriot@America.com> wrote in message news:46a64c66$0$8986$4c368faf@roadrunner.com... > "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message > news:46a64020$0$93474$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... > > Patriot Games wrote: > >> "Bekan" <wishwelly2002@yahoo.dk> wrote in message > >> news:46a5ad6b$0$92939$edfadb0f@dread16.news.tele.dk... > >>> AnAmericanCitizen wrote: > >>>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:59:03 -0400, "Patriot Games" > >>>> <Patriot@America.com> wrote: > >>>>> God's Numbers > >>>>> The latest NEWSWEEK poll shows that 91 percent of American adults > >>>>> surveyed believe in God-and nearly half reject the theory of > >>>>> evolution. > >>>> Isn't it also possible to believe in God and accept the theory of > >>>> evolution? ....AAC > >>> By implication og both, no. > >> Of course it is: God invented Evolution. > >> Duh... > > Which god? > > This one: God. > > Quote
Guest Edgar A Pearlstein Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 Christian Bible Foundations of our Country Ed Pearlstein Of the many foundations of our country, I was able to find two which are supported in the Bible, and several which run contrary to the Bible. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Although the Declaration isn't really a legal document of the U.S.(since there wasn't any US until 1787), it is important historically and philosophically. It is a document intended to justify revolution against an established royal government. The Bible, however, says "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1-7), and "For kings, and for all that are in authority" (I Timothy 2:2), thus giving rise to the idea of divine right of kings. I find no mention of "consent of the governed" in the Bible, as the Declaration demands. While the Declaration deplores taxation without representation, Jesus says, regarding taxation, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21) FREEDOM OF SPEECH. I don't find in the Bible any defense of freedom of speech. On the contrary: "he that doubteth is damned" (Romans 14:23); "there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...whose mouths must be stopped.." (Titus, 1:10-11); and "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ......and he that soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19). The last passage could be construed as being against democracy, since anyone who runs for office against an existing administration is sowing discord. RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE. This is embraced in both the original Constitution (Article VI, paragraph 3) and in the First Amendment. Yet in the Bible we have: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3); "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18); "He that sacrifice unto any god save the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed" (Exodus 22:20); "He who is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23); "he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him" (Leviticus 24:16). [such stoning was actually carried out, in 1 Kings 21:13] Anyone proselytizing for another religion is to be put to death, and if that person is a member of your family, you are to strike the first blow to kill him or her (Deuteronomy 13:5-10). The practice of "shunning" someone who disagrees with you on religious matters is advised in 2 Thessalonians 3:14. A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Our Constitution demands this (Article IV, Section 4). But I find nothing in the Bible to support it. On the contrary, Romans 13:1-7 tells people to obey authority because it is instituted by God. Also, 1 Peter 2:13 can be interpreted in the same way, as can Titus 3:1. "CORRUPTION OF THE BLOOD" is forbidden by the Constitution (Article III, Section 3, paragraph 2). In the Bible, though: "Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers (Isaiah 14:21). [However, the Bible does contradict itself on this: "... neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers" (Deut 24:16)]. Also: "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation" (Exodus 20:5, 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deut. 5:9); "His blood be on us, and on our children" (Matthew 27:25). Bastards may not enter the temple, nor their descendants (Deut. 23:2). God even killed a baby because of a sin by its father (2 Samuel 12:14). Ahab escaped punishment for murder by making an elaborate apology, and his descendants were punished instead (I Kings 21:29). The doctrine of original sin is also against this part of the Constitution. SLAVERY. This was an important social and economic foundation of our country both before and after independence. It was an institution condoned by the founders and recognized and defended by the original Constitution (Article I, Section 2, paragraph 3; Article I, Section 9; Article IV, Section 2, paragraph 3). Slavery is also condoned in both the Old and New Testaments, but it is never condemned. On the contrary, it is codified, and made an inherited condition: Exodus 21:4ff gives rules for keeping slaves. Leviticus 25:44-46 says that heathen may be purchased as slaves, that their children become slaves, and that they are inherited as property by the owner's children forever. Other places that indicate that slavery is a hereditary condition are: Genesis 9:25, Exodus 21:4, Corinthians 7:20. Deuteronomy 20:10-14 says that when you conquer a city, if it surrenders then all people inside it become your slaves; but if it doesn't surrender, then all males are to be killed and all women and children "take unto thyself". Luke 12:47-8 shows that Jesus approves of slavery, for he describes the conditions under which one should give a severe beating to a slave. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 tells slaves to honor their masters, as does Titus 2:9. In the book of Philemon, Paul sends a runaway slave, Onesimus, back to his former master. But this conflicts with the admonition in Deuteronomy 23:15 "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which has escaped..." So the Bible is on both sides of the 1857 Dred Scott case! The Constitution, of course, eventually got corrected on the matter of slavery. But there is no way to correct the Bible. TREATMENT OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE. Here is another place where one of the foundations of our country is justified by the Bible. "Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy....And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein.." (Numbers 33:52-53). This biblical injunction was obeyed many times by Americans. A NOTE ON THE TREATY OF TRIPOLI. This treaty with the Bey of Tripoli was negotiated by the administration of President George Washington, and finally signed and ratified during the administration of President John Adams, in 1797. Article 11 of the English-language version says "the United States is in no sense based on the Christian religion". (There is a mystery about this, since Article 11 doesn't appear in the Arabic version! It's a fair presumption, though, that the English version is what was signed by President Adams and duly ratified by the U. S. Senate. See Bevans: Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776-1989, volume 11 and David Humphreys: Miscellaneous Works (1804).) Quote
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