No. I don't have problems with politicians having religious beliefs... I just think it's wise to keep the most destructive force in the history of the planet (religion) away from politics as much as possible.

I think that assertion (that religion is the most destructive force in the history of the planet) is arguable enough to warrant some support. Like, entire-book-level support.

I don't know. I was just quoting Thomas Jefferson.

Well, far be it from me to contradict the Coolest Dude in History, but he was just a Dude and he wasn't always right.

I know, but in contrast to some of the stuff posted in the thread it's sort of a classic case of oh-do-you-see-what-I-did-there?

There are a lot of things frightening about religion but that's probably a subject for another thread.


I'm referring to the fundamentalists attempting to rewrite history in an attempt to form a Theocracy (or something pretty close to it). It's quite frightening when you have people w/in the mainstream media (e.g: Glenn Beck) bringing frauds like David Barton on to their show in an attempt to convince thousands of people that the founders were Christians & not Deists. One must ask themselves why said media figure would allow someone to make such claims w/o providing any evidence. The distinction between Christianity & Deism is an important one when studying our history (e.g: intent).

I don't think that much can be done about it other than attempting to balance out these lies in our educational institutions (similar to what we're doing w/ the teaching of evolution but probably for different reasons). If you want to see how gullible people in this country are just look at the Birther fiasco as an example. Facts are irrelevant to these people.

Clearly, with the information that Thomas Jefferson said as much, that meaning becomes apparent.

The most destructive force in the history of the planet is your mom.

Actually the most destructive force in the history of the planet is what I did to your mom last night.

Religion on it's own isn't the most destructive force. Religion in Europe was often connected with governments, and governments were often destructive.



What's the specific quote?

I can't remember it verbatim... something along the lines of "I am against religion in its organized form. I see it as the most destructive force in the history of the planet."

That was attributed to him, anyway... who knows if he actually said it.

the orginization of religion becomes dangerous when it gains any real authority over other peoples lives. power is a magnet for abuse and religious power doubly so. you end up with things like the inquisition and the crusades. i think this is why the founders wanted to keep the church out of the government, not because they didnt like jesus.

Well, Jefferson did have, arguably, the first American foreign policy experience with islamic terrorists.

You should have just said, "Yeeeessss.... Inventorying..." and walked off.

I didn't at the time, but every time I walked past his car after that I pretended to write in my notebook, hoping he was watching out a window and scratching his teeth out with paranoia.

The crusades were more about a lack of power; the pope who called the first one saw it as a way to unite the European dukedoms under a single ruler - the pope.