Secularism gains among Democrats and Independent voters

Religious influence among Americans is decreasing. It can be seen in the American home, schools and prisons. Since 2000 the GOP has bought more Christian votes than any party in America. Take away the faith based grants and the Christians may go home in November. It would not be a loss as the racism will also go home and gays might be able to fight for America.

The advantage of calling oneself a Christian no longer brings in the trust and support that it once did and we can blame our politicians who ran on their religion rather than the allegiance to the Constitution. In middle America ones church is the social center of their lives. This is where the decrease in membership is found. The churches themselves have labeled others with such horrible names, that people are often embarrassed to be a member of any sect or cult. Evangelicals actually carry a list of infidels which include many Christian sects. Even on the internet it is common to hear that "that group is really not Christian."

Poor old Jesus Christ has been found missing in many church meetings and most political meetings. They tend to use him as a threat rather than someone to follow.

Yes indeed, I belong to several Secular Humanist groups and we only have to sit back and watch the fireworks. We want no churches closed but a firm set-in-cement separation of church and state. But then you knew that, didn't you T.J.?

TJ, that is changing. As a devout Chrisitan, I refer to Jesus as he was quoted in the book of Matthew to be wary of those who preach loudly in the streets, praying loudly to be heard and sitting on the front pew.
Jesus suggested we go in the closet to pray.
I believe strongly people are tired of the "family values" party. Their popularity among Christians defied logic. It was as if voting for these "family values" people made them feel better about themselves.
Nice to see they have been shown for what they are and hopefully we can get back to voting for the least all around evil.

Secular Humanists are mostly scientists who want the subject of evolution to remain steadfast in the schools so it will lead into higher education of all science.

Our children spend much less time in school than they do at home and in Sunday school and if the parents and Pastors can't sell Jesus then you will see the movement fade out. Seculars do not want any churches closed and we are not part of any generation X Y or Z and we resent those kind of labels. Sherry, I resent having the government buy Christian votes for the support of the government with faith based grants. This started in 2000 and every Republican running for office from that moment on ran on the prohibitions against abortions, gay marriages and stem cell research. Even during the debates it was essential for all Republicans to claim to be Christians and I know many Christians who were insulted. Bringing in Social issues into the elections has now split the LP. Without the separation of church and state, both will be damaged.

Sherry, I remember the words of Jesus and even my grandmother prayed all alone in the bathroom. She saw her own family fall apart and the beginning of America stumbling under the pressure of WW2. The religious right all over the 'net has turned the political positions into a dirty street fight. It is so bad that very few can trust any Republican as they took advantage of those faith based grants. Christians are being laughed at on the streets and on the television. I watched Haggee yesterday and had any actor tried to copy his voice and mannerisms he would have been laughed off the stage. These televangelicals are playing to an Andy Griffith audience missing the honestry of the dialog.

The GOP is disgusted with this whole scenario. Let the Christians die out and come back as the bible suggests, but outside the government.

T.J. my commentary on building a Secular community has taken off on most of the secular sites and Australia is being suggested as a place for all of us. I have done a lot of fund raising for new churches but the minute they head for the congress I will react unfavorably. That little Christian school my kids attended has lost their student body and is now operating under a secular curriculum. We started with K through 3rd grade and now they go all the way K through 12th. They always drew the Mormon kids and now it is open to all enthusiastic students. The focus is on academics not religion.

Family values represent the values of the family and has nothing to do with Amending the Constitution to build more federal prisons. I am tempted to bring the comments made to me from your forum which were so disgusting calling my children bastards and not one you even commented on it. Real Christians would have been insulted but not you. Never you.

Organized religion is the root of all evil. Organized religion is ALL about control. If there IS a "god" why would I need a middleman (priestcraft) to interpret between me and that "god". Do you REALLY think "god" would set it all up that way. I'm an agnostic, but I talk to "god" all the time. I don't need a "priest". I don't need a "congregation". Imagine no religion. Its easy if you try. (With apologies to John Lennon)

Read the RED words in your bible. All the rest is fluff at best.

-- Kent Shaw

The church is the problem. If there is a God, it has been used and abused by the tribal leaders who need a level of terrorism to scare the hell out of their followers. I have learned from your brand of Christians, Flapsaddle, that there is no depth that you will not plummet to strike out against non-believers. Your labels on my character are nothing but when you allow the ultimate insults to be laid on my kids, you need to be stopped.

Human dignity is missing from your official church no matter which label you choose. The secular life has no limits of freedom; freedoms from an unbalanced faith-based mind. It is the religious weakness in the human brain that demands rules made by man to control the masses. Your Christian masses go too far to denigrate the rest of us.

The most effective way to sell your God might be to set a good example instead of threatening hell and damnation. If you want the respect of others, leave their children alone with the filthy names. Go home and clean up your own home base before pontificating your hypocrisy here. You take the cake! I've taken your personal insults for years, but you struck a nerve at Faded.

There may or may not be a "creator". That creator need not necessarily be a "god". There may or may not be "intelligent design" behind the phenomenon we perceive of as "the universe". But for human beings to claim that they can know the nature of that creator is the height of arrogance. It is assumed that a "creator" is composed of "love" or that it is at least benign. There is at least a 50-50 chance that, if it does exist, it is wholly EVIL. Chew on that for awhile. YOU DO NOT KNOW! AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CAN KNOW. BELIEF is not KNOWLEDGE. Believe all you like. Belief is not TRUTH. Neither do or can your "priests". If your religion gives you comfort, good for you. More power to you.

JUST KEEP ALL OF YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OUT OF MY GOVERNMENT. Many of you would like to have a CHRISTIAN government. WHY? Why would that be any more legitimate than a MUSLIM government? Or a JEWISH government? Or a HINDU government?

-- Kent Shaw

Thanks TJ...

for reining in the discourse just a little. As I have quoted before... "It's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse." Too many favor religion as the whipping boy. I'd like to see better alternative thought... not just cursing the darkness.