tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040911.post6499022354167125797..comments2024-03-27T16:27:03.093+02:00Comments on Shiloh Musings: The State of Israel Sixty Years Hence - Third ScenarioBatyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402874037427009327noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040911.post-35079316757136020222008-05-08T09:35:00.000+03:002008-05-08T09:35:00.000+03:00RE: third scenario -- seems less plausible because...RE: third scenario -- seems less plausible because<BR/><BR/>1)I can't think of a truly religious government anywhere that works or has worked well, and maybe it shouldn't . . . as idyllic as it sounds to a believer or religious person (and I separate the two because I definitely see them as being different), the concept of freedom of choice in terms of religion and political affiliation cannot (or should not, in my opinion) be separated from freedom of choice in lifestyle, drug use, pornography, etc. I am pretty conservative in my beliefs overall but the right that allows me to choose conservative views or Christianity is the same right that allows an atheist or satanic worshiper who is gay and makes gay porn flics to choose as he chooses. Taking away his right to his choices also takes away my right to mine. Unfortunately, very religious leaders would tend toward narrow-mindedness regarding everything that they believe is not "right." Even more unfortunately, I don't believe it is possible for anyone to live in peace with either religious or secular leadership, or with military minded or pacifistic leadership. I guess I don't believe living in peace with those unlike oneself is possible at all. I don't believe there is such a thing as true "tolerance" of "diversity." I don't believe it is possible for human beings to achieve.<BR/> <BR/>2)So far, I haven't known anyone who is a devout believer that does not consider others who believe differently from them to be "wrong" (or "left" to be more PC), some for vehemently than others. It's inherent in religious (or anti-religious) doctrine/education/training. While this scenario depicts a religious leader who is very "tolerant" (to use the PC term of the day), in my experience that doesn't happen, unless one or the other is a ruse. It's a conundrum of sorts. I want leadership that cannot be labeled (religious, secular, liberal, conservative . . .) yet I need a label by which to identify them to me so that I can elect them and choose them by their "platforms" made up of planks of labeling issues! And I tend to choose some planks from one and others from the other platforms. Makes voting very difficult for me.<BR/> <BR/>-JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com