General Discussion

Susannah Elf

(140 posts) Tue Apr 14, 2015, 01:34 PM Apr 2015

One difference between our countries [View all]

is that, in Canada, religion is considered very much a private thing, while in the U.S. it seems to influence every aspect of public life. I think that's why I am always a little bit shocked at the vitriol that atheists (or agnostics or humanists) and people of faith (including spiritual-but-not-religionists) hurl at each other. Religion is never part of the discussion at election time. I really don't know what any of our members of parliament believe in and it wouldn't occur to me to cast my vote using that information.

There are a lot of smart people who post on this site. I would like to understand how it came to be that religion and politics are so closely entwined in the U.S.

40 replies

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One difference between our countries [View all] Susannah Elf Apr 2015 OP

Immaturity, people use religion as a justification. It is childish, which is why I get so NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #1

Do you have any evidence that Obama is an Atheist el_bryanto Apr 2015 #3

None, other than he is an extremely intelligent, educated person. NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #8

Yes - i know what you mean el_bryanto Apr 2015 #9

I wasnt speaking of kind of generousness, but since you brought it up. NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #11

Nods - well we'll see how things shake out el_bryanto Apr 2015 #13

Not believing in something that there is no logical reason to believe in is not a belief NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #23

Thank you for that correction el_bryanto Apr 2015 #25

I am discussing this with someone else right now here at DU who I also respect but who is NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #26

An entertaining movie - I quite enjoyed it. el_bryanto Apr 2015 #30

Sure, would be great if we could eliminate religion, but wont happen in my lifetime. NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #32

It's simple enough el_bryanto Apr 2015 #33

Oh, yeah, I agree on that. I mean while I dont want a believer in a position of decision NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #34

I think that saying that, though, is the same as me saying el_bryanto Apr 2015 #35

This is what I mean Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #16

Is it not possible to not believe without bashing others' beliefs like that? KamaAina Apr 2015 #21

Guilty as charged, I spent way too long pretending that believing in the invisible man NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #24

Thank you for that KamaAina Apr 2015 #27

You really think so, you really think people leave DU because someone like me makes fun NoJusticeNoPeace Apr 2015 #29

I am very new to DU Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #39

The Cold War probably plays a big part in that el_bryanto Apr 2015 #2

I think you have a point Jim Beard Apr 2015 #5

Interesting. Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #17

If you want to read more on this subject el_bryanto Apr 2015 #22

All I have to say is that it's complicated. merrily Apr 2015 #4

I think the RW reconized that they could use religious fundies as useful idiots cyberswede Apr 2015 #6

They used the fact that Jim Beard Apr 2015 #7

You've got it! staggerleem Apr 2015 #15

Great responses, everyone! Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #18

heck, the Baptists even had to have a coup to serve as a quarter of the New Right MisterP Apr 2015 #40

I know this will sound silly but here goes...... (Netflix did it!) Jim Beard Apr 2015 #10

The wonderful Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #19

Until recently in the US, atheists were expected to shut the f@#$ up at all times Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #12

We broke the cardinal rule for good government. Rex Apr 2015 #14

Unfortunately Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #20

Freedom of religion is why folks started to come here fadedrose Apr 2015 #28

from one who has roots in both countries guillaumeb Apr 2015 #31

That is true. Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #36

I do not know what province you are from, but mine is Quebec. guillaumeb Apr 2015 #38

Also, we may not have had to justify slavery Susannah Elf Apr 2015 #37