Has the Republican Party Become a Religion?

Demonstrate this to be true.

 

Prove this to be true, and then demonstrate those statistics to be sound.

 

People such as you would, today, happily characterize Thomas Jefferson and his peers as "right wing extremist"..

 

I see you haven't read the Declaration of Independence.

 

And no one cares if they don't want to marry someone of the same sex, or not have an abortion, or commit adultery (though many of them sure seem to like engaging in that one). They can follow their Bible to their heart's content, just don't push it on anyone else! That's the part they don't seem to understand.

 

Wait...
There's something wrong with using the state to push your version of morality on others?

 

You can put any label on it you want, but it does not change the facts. Christians would have the same position whether that position was democrat or republican.

They understand perfectly. That is in the Bible also. They are supposed to spread the Word.

 

And how does that make it better?

 

Some would. And they would all be political positions. "Democrat orthodox" and "GOP orthodox" aren't the only political alternatives.

 

I am not religious. I make no claims about it better or worse. I let people believe as they want whether they be religious or not.

For all practical purposes, they are the only political alternatives.

 

Lots of political groups outside of Democratic or GOP orthodoxy have political influence. Hard core evangelicals just for starters.

 

Like I said before, I don't care what they believe in, so long as they don't try to change laws based on their religious lunacy. There is a reason why we have separation of church and state.

 

That is not your choice. That is their choice.

 

And it is my choice to oppose the imposition of their beliefs on me.

 

It's their choice to have whatever political priorities they like and other people's choice to judge them as immoral for their actions and to take political action to stop them.

 

Those are also your rights, but it has been my experience that it works better to treat people with respect regardless of our beliefs.

 

It may come as a surprise but not all republicans are religious and not all democrats are atheist.

 

Not even close. I know about as many democrat Christians as republican Christians.

 

Respect is a two-way street.

 

Referring to it as "lunacy" doesn't do much to advance your case..

 

And neither does the claim "the Bible says so".

 

But that is their belief. Life on this earth is short. Eternity is forever.

 

But "their belief" is their's alone. When dealing with legislation that affects everyone, their beliefs have to compromise in a secular world. You seem to be advocating only one of two things, 1) capitulate to their beliefs, or 2) Ignore them because they will not compromise.

Do you really think that is a tenable position?

 

I am not advocating anything except to get along and try to understand both sides. I would never call either view "lunacy". They have their rights when it comes to legislation just like you have your rights. No matter which way the legislation goes, it tramples on someone's beliefs.

 

And for most of our history, the religious right has had the upper hand to force their beliefs down everyone's throats. The whole thing with the 60s sexual revolution was a revolt against their old tired ethics. Now we are finally getting to the point of understanding that we have to be mindful of everyone's beliefs, not just Evangelical Christians, but they don't like that either. It is only their version of Christianity or the highway.