To “our” “Christian beliefs” or just to yours? IMO, most if not all religions and sects claim superiority over others – if they didn’t, then why and how could they hold to their beliefs or claim they are right in their beliefs and even attempt to get anyone to convert? Personally, I don’t care one wit if Mormons claim superiority in their religious beliefs any more than I care that Protestants or Catholics, Hindus, Buddhist, Jews, etc. even Mormons, Unitarians, Scientologist, Mennonites, Amish, Unitariarians, Agnostics and Atheists do the same. In the realm of the free market of ideas and the constitutionally protected Right of Freedom of Religion, it is up to each individual to choose their own belief system.
You and JR certainly do not speak for me and I seriously doubt you speak unilaterally for all “Christians” or for that matter, all conservatives or for that matter, all Freepers.
If Free Republic really wants to cast its self as primarily a “religious site” and not a political site, then so be it, but if that then is the case, and FR can and will define who and who is not “religious” and by that litmus test, who is and is not “conservative”, and by that definition as to who can post here; then fine, but then let’s not for one minute claim that FR is the “Premier Site for Conservative Activism” as there are a good number of conservatives who do not fit your and JR’s rather narrow definition of “Conservatism” based on solely on religion.
If we left their version of God unchallenged, if we left their ideas of heaven unchallenged, it would signal our acceptance. Thomas Jefferson obviously thought it important that free argument of our beliefs not be impinged. JimRob is allowing argument to maintain our opinion of OUR religion on his site in a truly Jeffersonian spirit. Those of you who wish to deny us that right should ask themselves why and to what ends.
You really don’t get it. Thomas Jefferson had no problem with anyone practicing or expressing their own personal religious or even their non-religious beliefs, but Jefferson also did not believe in any sort of religious litmus test for holding public office or that it had any place in political discourse or forcing by law, adherence to any free citizen, the prevailing religious belief.
I ask you what exactly is “OUR” and JR’s “official” religion on FR? Can politically conservative Catholics, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, Agnostic or Atheists like me have a place here if we don’t attend and subscribe to your and JR’s church? Have we no voice?
colorcountry, the reply to you in this post by MD Expat in PA, is a perfect example of what you were talking about. I repeated this line in bold, to remind readers of this thread your point, in post #4,631.
The biggest belief that is OURS (Judea-Christian) is ONE GOD Eternal.
Now if someone professes to believe in Christianity yet espouses a belief that there are MANY Gods, and that yes, YOU YOURSELF may certainly one day become God of your own planet, I think we should be able to argue against that.
And obviously so does Jim Rob.
Since the mormons go around claiming that all of Christianity is apostate, we have a say. Denomination doesn't matter, they lump all of us into the apostate category. Ergo, we have a "right" to rebut their claims.
"... but Jefferson also did not believe in any sort of religious litmus test for holding public office or that it had any place in political discourse or forcing by law, adherence to any free citizen, the prevailing religious belief."
This applies to the government, not so-called "free" citizens. The government cannot apply eligibilty requirements for office that include religion. Moslems who meet the eligibility requirements for President can run just like any other religion. How do you feel about that? Since many of us here on FR view islam as a political idealogy wrapped in a cloak of religion, it's a direct threat to our Constitutional Republic. Are you really sure you want to go down this path? Have you ever stated that we need to "get rid of this moslem marxist"?
Me? You? CC? We can apply whatever litmus test to any candidate to elected office we want. Hell, everyone of us does it. Is the candidate liberal enough? Are they conservative enough? Do they believe in abortion? Do they subscribe to 2nd Amendment? And on and on, etc.
If I am of opinion that Jim Jones is a freakin' looney tune because of his "religion" and how he practices it, I am free to say so and to deny him my vote.
Ain't freedom grand?
You really don’t get it. Thomas Jefferson had no problem with anyone practicing or expressing their own personal religious or even their non-religious beliefs, but Jefferson also did not believe in any sort of religious litmus test for holding public office
***Americans are free to have their own religious litmus test for candidates who ask for their votes.
or that it had any place in political discourse
***Jefferson’s quote talks about argumentation about religion — that is part of the whole process of political discourse
I ask you what exactly is “OUR” and JR’s “official” religion on FR?
***Interesting question. It’s also off topic for this thread and should be moved to the religion forum and addressed to the religion moderator.
Can politically conservative Catholics, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, Agnostic or Atheists
***Recently I was involved with a parallel discussion about those who worship science, who believe in scientism. 4 years ago the religion moderator allowed a scientism tag acknowledging it as a religion on FR. Then a few days ago, the religion mod changed her policy and now scientism is not a tag on the forum.
like me have a place here if we don’t attend and subscribe to your and JR’s church? Have we no voice?
***You have your voice and your ecumenical tag on the religion forum. That’s what you want, isn’t it?
No; YOU really don’t get it.
How many times will it have to be posted on FR before everyone 'gets' it?
The GOVERNMENT makes no test - NOT individuals!
WE can use any criteria we WANT to 'test' who will receive our acceptance to be our Leader.
This entire thread is filled with vile, ugly opinions and personal insults. What has happened here? What started this?
This country was founded on the principle that all men are created equal and endowed by our Creator with our shared unalienable rights. This is a Judeo-Christian nation. Our Creator is the one true Judeo-Christian God. Our unalienable rights come directly from Him. Without God we wouldn’t exist and this nation would not exist. I am greatly biased toward our one true God, toward America and toward our Liberty. This site is pro-God, pro-Life, pro-family, pro-gun, pro-Declaration, pro-Constitution, pro-Liberty!!
I do not belong to any organized religion or church and do not promote or endorse any. My church is wherever I’m standing, my book the Holy Bible, my belief the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and I place my full faith in Him and bask in the light of His Glory, praying in the name Jesus Christ our Savior.
I’m not a great Christian, not a theologian, or even an educated man.
Just a simple, humble believer who doesn’t often quote or debate scripture, but has complete faith in the Lord nonetheless.
Whenever in doubt, I am comforted by the following:
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Amen.
And ultimately by this:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Hope that answers your question.