The other half of the universe - CARL SAGAN on religion (Ithaca alert)

pasadenaweekly.com ^ | 2-8-07 | By Julie Riggott

[mandingo republican]

“We are in grave danger of a theocracy here,” she said.

Can someone explain this to me - this is all the liberals say and I don't know what they are speaking about? Are we forced to go to church by the government? Is there a state religion? Bush is a Methodist - hardly a "born again". I think she needs to go to Iran - then we can talk

[Enchante]

“We are in grave danger of a theocracy here,” she said.

Then I suppose the "founding fathers" and Abraham Lincoln and almost every significant political figure in our national life for the first 170 years or so of this nation were all "theocrats" according to her definition. It's only in the past 40 or so years that rabid secularism and hatred of Christianity has been displacing all of the traditional understandings of our Constitution, laws, and public life.

[darkwing104]

Two words - Nut Case.

[donna]

Do these people know that the Founders (including President Thomas Jefferson) held Christian church services in the Capitol building?

[The Blitherer]

These books have boiled to the top of the current global political stew of radical extremism, suicide bombings, violent religious fundamentalism, the popularity of intelligent design and the denial of evolution and global warming.

Wow, lumping in intelligent design and denial of evolution and global warming with suicide bombings and radical extremism. Nope, no agenda here.

[dinoparty]

Yeah, no kidding. Moreover, they act like enlightneded human history didn't begin until the Warren court -- all those years when kids said prayers in classrooms and it wasn't forbidden for states to legislate against the worst forms of smut -- if we are in a theocracy now, then what do you call those years?

[RightWhale]

“We are in grave danger of a theocracy here,” she said.

This neither a danger nor imminent nor a possibility. She is welcome to her opinion even if it is groundless.

[Shadowstrike]

If Radical Islam takes over the World, we will be in a theocracy.

Last time I looked we didn't have a 'Religious Police' walking our streets, demanding to control how we dress, how we entertain --- .

I'm getting real sick of this kind of stuff.

[RightWhale]

Also, a theocracy is unlikely when there are a brazillion theologies in the country.

[JSDude1]

They have imposed an "unconstitutional seperation of Church and State", that twists the meaning of the First Amendment, the ACLU sues at the very sight of "Faith": How are We in danger of A THEOCRACY (Not to even delve into the debate-Fact that "Funadamental Christianity" is not anywhere near "fundamental islam" in its beliefs=>Consequences..).

I'd say were are more in danger of a radicalization on the other way; the secularists/libeals imposing their beliefs upon law-abiding sincere Christians, and Jews..

[donna]

We've ended up with leaders who indulge in the same kind of magical thinking that is at the heart of their religious ideology.

"A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district - all studied and appreciated as they merit - are the principal support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty."
- Benjamin Franklin -

[RexBeach]

I wonder when Ms. Druyan last attended a church service?

A theocracy? Another uninformed liberal meathead. She has no sense of history. However, this is typical in America these days. Ms. Druyan is probably one of those folks who thinks America just fell out of the sky.

How odd of her to say such a stupid thing.

[RightWhale]

More power to her, although she does say a lot of odd things.

[Monterrosa-24]

"...“We didn't believe in fate or any kind of supernatural intervention, and we knew that we were the beneficiaries of blind chance,”..."

Once again they are not open-minded. They KNEW! They were driven by prejudice as the comic-book level of their political commentary shows.

A rational person would be open to evidence that it is better to be ruled by a traditional Christian like James K. Polk than one who puts his faith in science, production figures, and a logically managed society...Josef Stalin.

[The Blitherer]

Also, a theocracy is unlikely when there are a brazillion theologies in the country.

What's the Brazilian philosophy?

;-)

[Tirian]

"Theocracy Watch" is a big thing in Ithaca. It is well known that a theocratic takeover of America is imminent,held off so far only by the sweeping popularity and financial success of Air America Radio .... /sarc

[L98Fiero]

"What's the Brazilian philosophy?"

"Thou shalt have tanned ladies in thongs."

[RightWhale]

They must be very insecure in their atheism or whatever it is if they imagine that the 99% who believe in one religion or other are about to take over.

[JerseyJohn61]

Ping

[marron]

Then I suppose the "founding fathers" and Abraham Lincoln and almost every significant political figure in our national life for the first 170 years or so of this nation were all "theocrats" according to her definition

You are right. Even Jefferson, who is endlessly quoted concerning the "wall of separation" between church and state, used to attend prayer services in the House of Representatives. So I suppose by her definition Jefferson was a theocrat.