Secularism

Quite often, I find Andrew Sullivan to be a complete tool. Then, he'll go and say something that lands right on the mark.

It seems to me that this is the wrong formulation, and already concedes something that should not be conceded. Christianism - politicized Christianity - argues for the imposition of one religion's values over the entire society. So, in this context, it would forbid gay couples from getting civil marriages or unions and prevent pregnant women from seeking an abortion. Secularism is not the polar opposite. Secularism allows Christians, and any other religious faith, to affirm religious values, live exactly as they see fit, and avoid such moral outrages as abortion and gay civil unions in their own lives, if they so wish.

All secularism does is say that as a political matter, there will be as much government neutrality as possible because the government should represent all citizens; that the Church and the state shall coexist, but independently of each other. Secularism is not only compatible with aggressive and proud Christian faith; in practice, secularism has fostered that faith. The polar opposite of Christianism, in contrast, would be a government that actively suppresses religious faith, discriminates against Christianity and forbids Christians from practising their way of life. No one is proposing that.

I'm really concerned that secularism is slowly becoming tainted with the same brush as "liberalism." But secularism is the great modern achievement of Christianity and of Western freedom. It is an honorable tradition, integral to the entire concept of Western liberty. The difference between secularism and Christianism, to put it bluntly, is that one side is happy to let people make their own moral choices; and one side isn't. So who exactly is imposing on whom?

That is what the big debate is now, isn't it? After all, what really is the difference between liberal and conservative if you take the religious freakiness out of it?

Truly, it is much more important to me to be secular than to be liberal. But, as Sully points out, secularism has become more aligned to "liberal" rather than "conservative". I really don't mind that as I lean left anyway.

I happen to think that Christianity (as well as most all other religions) are highly damaging to humanity, but I have never advocated legislation that would prevent people from being as crazy as they want to be. On the other side, we've documented countless examples of the Christian's attempting to dictate to us how we live our lives.

This is why secularists (of which I am a desperately proud member) absolutely have the moral high ground over the Christian fundamentalists. I tell the Christians nothing about how to conduct their lives other than to tell them to shut the hell up about how I live mine.

Well, in fairness, I do tell them to drink kool-aid, Jim Jones style, and fantasize about games in the Roman coliseum.. but that's only when they are really getting on my nerves with their hatred and bigotry.

Lets not forget; the United States Constitution does not contain the word "Jesus", nor does it contain the word "God" anywhere within it's text.

Got that?