My God Can Beat Up Your God

I have a problem, a big problem, with those who say that this country was founded on Christian Roots and insist that now "Christians have to take back America." Bullshit! This country was founded on religious liberty. The people that founded the Colonies of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island founded them as a refuge for those who were persecuted in Europe, although even those colonies placed some restrictions on religious freedom. The original constitution, before the First Amendment, included a prohibition on "Religious tests" as a prerequisite for holding office, thus establishing the right to worship as one pleases, including the right to not worship, is a fundamental part of a democracy. Fifteen years ago, we witnessed the fall of communism - a philosophy which denied the existence of God. Now we are seeing what I hope is the fall of Islamic fundamentalism, a philosophy which insistson God's existence, and on a single right way to worship him. It seems that both prove that Government promotion of any religious doctine, including atheism, is a bad idea. Why is it that some folks are uncomfortable with religious pluralism? Why is it that some folks are unwilling to let others worship as they please? What is needed is a nationwide CONVERSATION about religion. It should be discussed openly in schools, politics, courts, and other places, without any one doctrine being enforced. We should respect all faiths that promote honesty, justice, and respect for others.