Umm, tell that to the un-spirtual “Catholics” (Ever been to Northern Ireland) who want the English GOVERNMENT out.
“It was a war for control and sovereignty over the Holy Land; a religious war between Eastern Orthodox and the Western Christian powers.”
Bwahahahaaa... That is how it started “bubbling” but wait.... why did Great Britain “join” the Vatican/France. What RELIGION did Great Britain promote? It certainly was not Anglican as their intentions were FAR from “religion”.
“I didn't imply an instant shift, but a gradual secularization between then and the late 20th century.”
Right, after Nazism/Communism. 300+ years with the Great Awakening thrown in was a loonnnnggggg time between a COUPLE of aggressive atheistic States. Good grief.
“I'll take the ‘No’ as an agreement.”
Jesus said it was not going to be perfect. Just because someone fancies a belief in God does not immune oneself from temptations of desire, covet, power, lack of self-control etc... Also, humans have never used Christ name in vain by their actions./s Pretty easy to spot the frauds if you are “filled” with Holy Spirit (Which a lot a people claim to be).
“Sure, and it was an easy transition; it's very simple to morph religious authoritarianism to secular authoritarianism. It's still authoritarianism.”
Which is why countries that experiment in personnel liberty (Not talking about genitals) often lose sight of the God given free will which the powers that be do not respect. United States had a good run, too bad it is fading. You seem to imply the teachings of Christ to some earthly institution, big mistake.
“Find a society based on the ideals of those in that latter half of the sentence, and tell me which one has slouched into poverty, repression, and dictatorship.”
So it's “religions” fault for secular authoritarianism, is that what you are implying. I got it, lol. Gee, the Greeks never let religion (Although they had rites, religion was not an important player in politics in most poleis) get in the way of their city States, Romans to some extent who Greece was easy pickings, whole host of African societies, Persia namely Iran before Islam and in between Islam, United States is falling fast, better watch out, etc...
I am still trying to find pure “secular societies” (Whose populous is mostly agnostic) that last, the work ethic involved is pretty nonexistent.
Bwahahahaaa... That is how it started “bubbling” but wait
So wait, are you laughing because I'm right? I'm a little confused.
It started as a religious conflict over Holy Land sovereinty. The fact that Anglican Britain joined France and the Vatican against Moscow does not change that it was a religious conflict. QED.
Which is why countries that experiment in personnel liberty (Not talking about genitals) often lose sight of the God given free will which the powers that be do not respect. United States had a good run, too bad it is fading. You seem to imply the teachings of Christ to some earthly institution, big mistake
I call your attention again to the non-theist personalities I used as examples. They didn't need God to believe in personal liberty and freedom.
So it's “religions” fault for secular authoritarianism, is that what you are implying. I got it, lol.
No, that's actually what you did to non-believers earlier when you listed murderous authoritarian governments as if all non-believers somehow have to answer for them. I believe in secular governments, which by their nature do not enforce religious intolerance. Stalin's Soviet Union, with his requirements of unending praise to the state and the dear leader, his miracles (Lysenkoism), and his Inquisition (the Gulags) was not secularism.
The Constitution of the United States and its government are secular. God and Christ are not mentioned anywhere in it, and the government is expressly forbidden from interfering in religious matters, establishing a church, and prohibiting anyone from practicing their beliefs. We're accountable to no church, priest, pope, or any other religious body, and should aim to keep it that way.