Religious dagger OK at Auburn elementary school

[cbayer]

83. And here is the crux of the matter, imo.

Proselytizing at work or in a public school should be prohibited, imo. When it comes to health care, I find this particularly noxious, as patients are definitely in the one-down and vulnerable position.

But that is distinctly different than allowing people to wear identifying clothing or jewelry that are part of their religious beliefs.

I really like your example of pain. It is indeed so hard to prove and you have to believe your patients and have faith that they are telling you the truth. At least until you have evidence that they aren't.

So are patients that present with pain delusional because there is no proof that they are actually experience pain. I would hope that would not be your position.

How is this different than those that believe in a god? Who are you or I to say that they are wrong.

Now, if they insist that they hold the truth and that everyone who doesn't believe is wrong, or even worse delusional, they definitely carry the burden of proof.

If want to use the argument that something is right because humanity generally agrees that it is true, then you will have to concede the religion argument, because an overwhelming majority of humans believe.

I generally take the position that beliefs are not worth challenging unless they are interfering with one's ability to exist or placing someone or others in danger or infringing on the rights of other.

So if someone tells me they believe in unicorns or bigfoot or that they have been visited by aliens, I'm not going to call them delusional unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Noting that we will probably end this conversation soon, I want to thank you for this. I have enjoyed having this discussion with you and greatly respect that you keep it civil and don't make it personal.

Although we may strongly disagree on some things, I sense a level of mutual respect which makes this a very good discussion.