Just in an examination of the continuum of Religious to Secular, starting with the Founders,
we’ve never been more secular than we are now,
and never more religious than we were at the Founding.
At what point was this country ever a “theocracy”?
(If you want some real insight into his REAL reason, here it is, if not, skip it)
John 3:20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Every human knows what is right and wrong;
every human has a conscience that convicts him when tickled with reminders of what is right and what is wrong;
every human is a sinner.
He doesn’t want to be reminded of his shortfalls, so it’s better to remove all reminders from public life. Any such reminders in public life will be viewed as “imposing religious beliefs” when in fact, they just exist, and it’s the person’s conscience that is making him feel uncomfortable.
“Any such reminders in public life will be viewed as “imposing religious beliefs” when in fact, they just exist, and it’s the person’s conscience that is making him feel uncomfortable.”
I think you’ve correctly identified the base cause of the left’s “outrage” at religion (well, at least against Christianity), really...
I’ve seen this very thing in my own children (at its most basic level). I’ll ask them to do something (help wash dishes, change the laundry, etc...). I won’t nag, but after a while if they haven’t done what I’ve asked, I will ask them again. Sometimes I get - “Gosh, I’m SO sorry... I just FORGOT! Quit trying to make me feel guilty, MOM!!!” and I will explain to them I’m using the same words (and tone of voice) as I used the first time when I asked, the only difference is that now your conscience is telling you I shouldn’t have to keep asking - you KNOW in your heart you should have done it the first time.
I think this is EXACTLY why people don’t want to be reminded that there are others who live a certain moral code. It is their own actions, and some basic fundamental understanding at play that makes them feel as if they are being “hounded” even when no-one is talking to them in particular. As you said — it’s their conscience — not anything anyone is doing TO them.