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Pew’s Shocking Find: The U.S. Has Become More Religiously Intolerant & Socially Hostile

Sep. 20, 2012 7:07pm

Religion, considering its mass appeal and prevalence, plays a key role in global and domestic events. Considering the fact that sociopolitical issues are often dictated or impacted by personal faith, new findings from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life are potentially concerning, specifically when it comes to faith in America.

The non-partisan research organization found that religious intolerance is on the rise across the globe. But — among the surprising data present within the study — Pew notes that the United States’ standing at both the governmental and societal level has devolved noticeably.

The report’s main emphasis is on governmental restrictions on religious beliefs and practices. Shockingly, the report finds that 75 percent of the world’s population (as of mid-2010) lives in nations “where governments, social groups or individuals restrict people’s ability to freely practice their faith.”

The latest results, which are certainly disconcerting for religious-freedom advocates the world-round, take into account the year ending mid-2009 to mid-2010. A previous report published in 2009 by Pew found that there were 31 countries with high or very high restrictions on faith; in the newest report, this number jumped to 37. While the U.S. government isn’t “high” on the list, it has officially moved from the low to the moderate level of religious restriction.

Pew Releases Study Claiming U.S. Is More Religiously Restrictive

Photo Credit: The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Here’s how Pew describes the changes in government restriction that have unfolded at the state and local level:

Based on the information in the sources consulted for this study, the U.S. score on the Government Restrictions Index rose from 1.6 in the year ending in mid-2009 to 2.7 in the year ending in mid-2010, moving the U.S. from the low category of restrictions to the moderate category for the first time in the four years studied. (GRI scores 2.4 or higher are categorized as moderate by this study, while scores 4.5 or higher are categorized as high.)

During the period from mid-2009 to mid-2010, a number of the sources used in the study reported an increase in the number of incidents at the state and local level in which members of some religious groups faced restrictions on their ability to practice their faith. This included incidents in which individuals were prevented from wearing certain religious attire or symbols, including beards, in some judicial settings or in prisons, penitentiaries or other correctional facilities. For instance, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that it was pursuing a lawsuit in federal court against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and various California officials on behalf of a Sikh prison inmate who, in March 2010, had been ordered to trim his facial hair in violation of his religious beliefs. The Justice Department said the state’s inmate grooming policy “imposed a substantial burden” on the man’s ability to exercise his faith.

This isn’t the only measure worth noting. Equally troubling is America’s score on Pew’s Social Hostilities Index, which measures some of the non-government related religious incidents that have unfolded.

In mid-2009 the U.S. was at 2.0 and, in 2010, the score ticked up to 3.4. Again, this represents a move from a low to a moderate range, with 3.6 serving as the lowest point in the “high” sphere. Pew explains some of the reasoning for this change:

A key factor behind the increase in the U.S. score on the Social Hostilities Index was a spike in religion-related terrorist attacks in the United States in the year ending in mid-2010. In November 2009, for instance, U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan – allegedly inspired by the U.S.-born radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki – gunned down and killed 13 people and wounded 32 others at a military base in Fort Hood, Texas. In December 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national, attempted to set off a bomb hidden in his underwear while aboard a Detroit-bound aircraft. And in May 2010, Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani-born resident of Bridgeport, Conn., attempted to set off a bomb in New York’s Times Square. 

Other forms of social hostilities involving religion also increased in the U.S. during the most recent year studied. In Murfreesboro, Tenn., for example, some county residents attempted to block the construction of a mosque in the spring of 2010 by claiming, as reported by the Justice Department, that Islam is a “political ideology rather than a religion” and that “mosques are political rather than religious in nature.” (The mosque officially opened in August 2012, but opponents are still challenging the mosque in federal court.)

These findings are anything but positive for a nation that prides itself on being a bastion for free speech and the free exercise of any and all religious beliefs. Furthermore, it points to negative societal patterns that may need to be addressed, specifically when it comes to intolerance and religiously-rooted violence.

Read the entire portion of the U.S. portion of the Pew report here.

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Comments (120)

1 2
  • universalphilos
    Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:56am

    Prophecy, December 16, 1983: “The promise of the return of the Messiah unto the abundance of people — Should you wish, [within] your hearts of hearts, to participate in this, you must first set aside your prejudice, that you may walk with others’ religions.
    There has been many things said about the one known as Mahatma Ghandi. He did not fast that religions be taken apart, but [to] be added together as one, for he knew that all the religions lived, and must live, in his land and other lands as one. It was because of prejudice that his life was taken from the Earth, but not until the world had seen in him his greatness, because the greatness within him was the light of God.”

    Report this comment

    universalphilos  
    • johnpaulkuchtajr
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 5:55am

      Boy, which “gubbamint” report are you going to believe?

      The Kenyan threatened the US Army brass until they issued a report on the greasy, slime ball bastard otherwise known as Nidal Hasan that called that mass terror attack an incident of work place violence. Yeah, I wonder what George Patton would have told Obama? I really hope that some of the Army brass read this BECAUSE YOU SUCK!

      But, I digress.

      Then this report comes along and calls the murders religious intolerance.

      Which lying bunch of _hitheads am I to believe? None of them? You’re absolutely correct!

      Report this comment

      johnpaulkuchtajr  
    • riker01
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:24am

      We’re you born an idiot, or is this a slow transformation

      Report this comment

      riker01  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:15pm

    This is why we are at war with the godless left.
    In the end, Truth shall prevail.

    Report this comment

    Tankertony  
  • barber2
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:06pm

    VOICEOFGEORGEWALLACE : WOW. how kind and Marxist of you. High five, Obama people !

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • DexterMorgan
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:56pm

    I wish the ancient Christians had more wood pyres.

    Report this comment

    DexterMorgan  
  • nighttrainno9
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:55pm

    We will have to fight for Christianity before the PC bullcrap is over.
    The atheists, muslims, the govt. all want Christianity gone. Don’t
    kid yourselves, we will have to fight.

    Report this comment

    nighttrainno9  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:08pm

      Jesus was a fighter?

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:27pm

      GOD: you are one of our anti-religion Trolls ! (read your previous posts. ) Sad that you have such a ” mission.” Wish you were targeting Marxism / Islamic fundamentalism ( same mess now ) which is far more damaging…even for those who aren’t focusing on the heaven / after -life. Wish you guys would smarten up. You are just tools of the Lefty wackos. Research some Soviet/ Mao history. These guys are deadly – especially to anyone with an opinion or a brain…..you may be one…who will realize far too late.. Big Brother is dangerous to free expression..including yours…

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:02pm

      Barber, your ignorance is showing. I fully understand the dangers of Islam and admit it’s much worse than Christianity. This isn’t an Islamic site however, so I’m not going to make stuff up. There are bad people in this world and it all comes down to motivation. For most it’s power, but more recently it’s religion.

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
    • needmoinfo
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:04am

      Christians are soldiers of Christ. We turn the other cheek 7 times 7. Our charity is returned with hate and massacres like 9/11. Not our habit to strike first. Nor to back down.

      Report this comment

      needmoinfo  
    • PutMoreOnMyPlate
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:49am

      First fight the human nature including pride and self righteousness, then wait. God wins in the end. Defend, but be patient. You’ve lost if you lower yourself to the attacker by sticking first.

      Report this comment

      PutMoreOnMyPlate  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:57am

      @Not God
      Why the hostility towards religion? I understand that nearly every religion has a checkered past including Christianity, but it’s important to go to the source so you know the truth about what it’s about. For Christianity, it is Christ, and His teachings are the important thing to notice. Your question, “Jesus was a fighter?’ is best answered as a yes. As He said in Matthew 10:34, “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” When you put it in context, you come to understand that He’s not talking about violence. He never advocated violence and He consistently rebuked Peter for being rash in his violent actions. No, Jesus came to war in the spiritual sense. The Kingdom of God is among us and is fighting for our hearts. Jesus came to war for us. With that established, understand that the violent actions taken by Christians is against His teachings. I too, will save my words on Islam. However, I will say that you should always go to the source(s) when dealing with the “what should a religion do?” question. And consider some of the atheistic countries that killed millions of their own people(Communist Russia, China, etc) as opposed to thousands in the Crusades and the Inquisition, not in the name of god but in the name of the dictator. What is their source for morality and ethics? I would say they have none. Just as they have no god but themselves. I would also add that the Catholic Church doesn’t speak f

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:58am

      @Not God
      Why the hostility towards religion? I understand that nearly every religion has a checkered past including Christianity, but it’s important to go to the source so you know the truth about what it’s about. For Christianity, it is Christ, and His teachings are the important thing to notice. Your question, “Jesus was a fighter?’ is best answered as a yes. As He said in Matthew 10:34, “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” When you put it in context, you come to understand that He’s not talking about violence. He never advocated violence and He consistently rebuked Peter for being rash in his violent actions. No, Jesus came to war in the spiritual sense. The Kingdom of God is among us and is fighting for our hearts. Jesus came to war for us. With that established, understand that the violent actions taken by Christians is against His teachings. I too, will save my words on Islam. However, I will say that you should always go to the source(s) when dealing with the “what should a religion do?” question. And consider some of the atheistic countries that killed millions of their own people(Communist Russia, China, etc) as opposed to thousands in the Crusades and the Inquisition, not in the name of god but in the name of the dictator. What is their source for morality and ethics? I would say they have none. Just as they have no god but themselves.

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • Anadara
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:51am

      @ god_ So what is your motivation? Fear of religion, or hatred of Christianity? There can be no other excuses other than just Schizophrenic ramblings.

      Report this comment

      Anadara  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:33pm

    I see skinny weak punks that depend on the woman to get a job more than ever, WTH has happen 2 use.

    Report this comment

    Sirfoldallot  
  • girlnurse
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:09pm

    Keep dividing–then go ahead and TRY to conquer!

    Report this comment

    girlnurse  
  • DESKOCCUPANT
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:04pm

    A sign of the times.

    Report this comment

    DESKOCCUPANT  
  • Uechi
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:41pm

    If so it’s Barry O lovers otherwise bull crap

    Report this comment

    Uechi  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:16pm

    There are exception to every rule. Too many Muslims are intolerant of every other religion & atheists.
    There for people you tolerate many different faiths cannot be labeled intolerant in general, if they make 1 exception.

    Report this comment

    Walkabout  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:15pm

    I dont believe this garbage for a second…..Most people will either be voting for a Mormon or a gay guy in November – how can this headline possibly be true???

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:59pm

    Also, a hilarious fact that the Blaze totally neglected to mention is that the the article, if you actually READ it, is that almost ALL of the incidents it discusses related to an increase in government restrictions on religion are incidents of state, local, and federal governments intervening to prevent the construction or operation of MOSQUES. In another case, they discuss Oklahoma’s decision to preemptively ban sharia law (because I’m sure Muslims were just DYING to get into Oklahoma, lol). LOL–even THIS pro-theist organization can’t support the skewed narrative Beck wants to paint about the nonexistent “war on Christianity.” Wow, it’s just TOO funny!

    Report this comment

    The Third Archon  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:11pm

      Keep spreading the lies that you Marxists aren’t trying to eradicate freedom of religion and freedom of speech. We’re not going to express ourselves wherever you tell us to. We’re going to express ourselves where we want to.

      When you impose government mandates on private businesses or religious charities that force them to violate their religious beliefs, that is a war on religion.

      If you had your way, Christians would be killed or imprisoned for spreading the Biblical truths.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:21pm

      He probably was. I don’t think he has a steady boyfriend. And it probably did help him.

      Too many Americans have seen news reports of Mosques being used as snipers nests, observation posts, ammunition depots. Further there have been too many reports of riots after Friday prayers a t a mosque.

      So yes 3rd Acorn, people don’t like Mosques. It is like having a modern day Gestapo hHQ & SS recruiting center in your town.

      3rd Acorn probably collects SSI because he sero-converted. So he has lots of time on his hands & is bitter.That & no boyfriend.

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:23pm

      Muslims want to spread Islam everywhere. Check out the jihadi websites.& Everywhere they go, they want to spread sharia law.

      3rd Acorn are you a bottom? If you are, you will have to wear a hijab.

      Walkabout  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:58pm

      I thought this article was about Mormonism before I read the content

      Report this comment

      The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:50pm

    “The non-partisan research organization”
    Non-partisan? HA! An organization dedicated to churning out theistic propaganda couldn’t be MORE partisan.

    Report this comment

    The Third Archon  
    • Hanner
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:03pm

      NO DUH PEW! We Christians don’t particularly like being tortured and killed for practicing our faith. I’m not very tolerant to a religion that wants to behead me for loving and serving Jesus Christ my Savior. Yep, I’m definitely intolerant.

      Report this comment

      Hanner  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:13pm

      TTA – Yet you atheists are objective and unbiased? LOL

      If you psychopaths had your way, there would be no freedom of speech or freedom of religion.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • Caballosinnombre
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Reasoning with an athiest is like trying to get your dog to read poetry. But in case you do, let me know. Miracles do happen.

      Report this comment

      Caballosinnombre  
    • needmoinfo
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:26am

      After they cut your head off slowly while you try to get away, they use your head for a soccer ball. They are the originators of tough love. If their teens get out of line they kill them. If your family doesn’t pay enough dowery, your mother in law pours oil over you and sets you on fire. Treatment of women is pre-medieval. That’s how they treat their own. So we can expect worse.

      Report this comment

      needmoinfo  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:10am

      indeed git-r-done. Atheists obviously have no agenda against religion whatsoever. Look at the 1st Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion NOR PROHIBITING the FREE EXERCISE threrof.” I felt like capping all of that but I think I made my point. What our founders didn’t want was a theocracy, like ISLAM, but that religion was to take a role in society as the moral foundations for America. And if you looked at history properly(not through foggy secular glasses), you’d find that Congress actually printed Bibles for public schools. WHAT?!? says the atheist!!! But but but…that’s illegal. Yeah….it is now….because you atheists have twisted the First Amendment. Nowhere at all do I see separation of church in state in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. Going back to the no prohibiting the free exercise part, free exercise would include prayer in schools and prayer in the public arena among other things. So don’t give me that sad and sorry excuse that you’re not promoting an agenda. Because you have and you still are.

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:50pm

    imagine that from mid-2010 thru Sept 2012′s line stat will be straight up thru the roof. obama has done his best to turn brother against brother in America.

    Report this comment

    BurntHills  
    • Cosmos102
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:22pm

      @ Burnthills

      Yet one has to wonder what has happened to the people of America, that they have allowed their minds to be taken over by evil.

      Report this comment

      Cosmos102  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:04pm

      COSMO: Maybe because the ” Greatest Generation ” has been replaced by the ” Most Brainwashed Generation ” by Marxist professors and an American public school system which has grown afraid to discuss ” right from wrong” for fear of an ACLU lawsuit …and the lack of morality training these kids have been given by parents who also were never mentored with a decent set of moral codes. … other than ” be nice..do not judge…everyone is beautiful..even the guys trying to steal from you..burn your home…and destroy your values….”

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:48pm

    says it all when you see that vile national obscenity obama and his sycophants standing there attacking American values and Christianity at every turn.

    Report this comment

    BurntHills  
  • normalmom
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:40pm

    Notice the violent religion related issues were done by islamics and muslims but they keep trying to say they are for peace. Maybe they would be if there weren’t infidels who don’t agree with them. Yet Christians are being attacked politically as well, cases where people are having a bible study at their home and fined for too many people or whatever the excuse athiests want to use.

    Report this comment

    normalmom  
    • theotherberean
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:49pm

      And it’s not just the atheists who want to take away our civil rights…

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mzlSd11q_4

      Report this comment

      theotherberean  
    • normalmom
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:56pm

      Theother.. you are right I just didn’t get around to that part.

      Report this comment

      normalmom  
    • U.N.hater
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:45pm

      All athiest are bad/all christians are bad/all jews are bad and so on and so on. Why can’t it just be bad people with low to no morals and just plain unamerican. I don’t believe in god and i love people who do and don’t. Bad people our just bad people. I’m responsable for me and my action’s alone.

      Report this comment

      U.N.hater  
  • joe.r.piehole
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:36pm

    I don’t think that we should be “restricting” free exercise of religions, but I do think that the less influence of superstitious unscientific belief systems, the better. We can see that terrible people have used religion to incite violence among otherwise friendly neighbors. Uneducated people rely on religion to guide their existence. We need to educate ourselves beyond religion, because superstitious thought is a plague on humanity.

    Report this comment

    joe.r.piehole  
    • carbonated
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:00pm

      “I don’t think that we should be “restricting” free exercise of religions”…
      Wow! How generous! It’s nice that a liberal actually thinks its OK for people to practice religion. How ‘tolerant’. That must have been a stretch.

      “…but I do think that the less influence of superstitious unscientific belief systems, the better. ”
      I agree. Let’s ban Darwinian evolution and Al Gore’s climate warming…er… ‘change’ religion.

      “…because superstitious thought is a plague on humanity.”
      Well, I’d agree if you were limiting this to Islam… and the fallacies of communism, socialism, facism, nazism, wealth redistribution and Darwinian evolutionary-inspired eugenics.

      Its nice to see how much advancements in technology divorced from Christian morality helped fuel the most violent century in human history: Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Pol Pot.

      Report this comment

      carbonated  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:00pm

      ya they breed you

      Report this comment

      pissantno.10  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:13pm

      Joe – Yet you atheists have killed more people than all religions combined. So if anybody is a plague on humanity, that would be people like you.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:15pm

      I laugh when people call Hitler an atheist. This completely removes any credibility they thought they had. Then they’ll mention other known atheist who were mass murderers, but completely ignore the motivation for their terrible actions.

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:17am

      actually Hitler was Christian and supported rewriting the Bible to suit his anti-Semitic beliefs. He basically took out all the parts of the Bible mentioning “Israel” and “Jews” in general. I’m pretty certain that cut down on the weight of that Bible…regardless, Hitler was also an avid evolutionist, which means he thought that the German people were the master race and that “natural selection” ie. Holocaust, would eliminate the Jewish people. In fact, you have to wonder why the Jewish people are constantly being attacked: the Assyrians and Babylonians attacked them and destroyed their first temple, the Greeks attempted to Hellenize them, the Romans scattered them and destroyed their second temple, the Catholic Church persecuted them up till the 1940′s, Nazi Germany tried to wipe them out, Islam has been trying to kill them for 1400 years…yeesh give em a break

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:25am

      http://creation.com/antidote-to-superstition
      And this is just an article I picked up a while back talking about Christianity vs superstition.
      And the next link that I’m posting is the article that is footnoted in the article on creation.com just so that you can have a balanced view on things.
      http://jerome23.wordpress.com/tag/skeptical-inquirer/

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:59am

      God – Stalin and Mao individually killed more people than Hitler. Don’t get mad that you atheists are even more evil and dangerous than any religion.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • Anadara
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:06pm

      Joe_ I don’t care for your opinion very much. So I decided to make a “modest” donation the “re-elect Arpio” campaign. By the way… the “Vacancy” light is still on over tent city.

      Report this comment

      Anadara  
  • barber2
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:34pm

    DAR: Ha. Think you have summed up nicely then spirit and tone of the Obama Crowd !

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • Gregb
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:28pm

    America is a Christian Nation…
    this study is based on the effect of the muslims on society

    Report this comment

    Gregb  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:44pm

      [America is a Christian Nation…]
      How so? It is not a theocracy, it does not establish a religion, the Constitution does not adhere to the ten commandments… How exactly is it a christian nation?

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:02pm

      well it will be when you 2 meet the devil

      pissantno.10  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:12pm

      Tell that to the Supreme Court in 1892. They said that we’re a Christian nation.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:15pm

      well just 1 now the other post bit the dust

      Report this comment

      pissantno.10  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:12pm

      “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen,—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”
      –Treaty of Tripoli – Article 11 – ratified by the United States on June 10, 1797 signed by Adams.

      That has more clout than some Supreme Court with no founding fathers living or serving.

      http://atheism.about.com/od/tencommandments/a/analysis.htm

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:32pm

      Religion has no place in either government or civil rights.
      You know very well this is not a christian nation.
      Stop trolling.
      Some folks think NY is a Jewish state,

      Report this comment

      Verceofreason  
    • God_Is_Not
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:52pm

      Reading these ridiculous religious posts makes me respect our founders even more. How fortunate I am to live in a country that established no religion, rather than one claiming to be a christian nation.

      Report this comment

      God_Is_Not  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:33pm

      Just to familiarize myself with christian horse squeeze I looked up the Supreme Court ruling…

      “There is no dissonance in these declarations. There is a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning. They affirm and reaffirm that this is a religious nation. These are not individual sayings, declarations of private persons. They are organic utterances. They speak the voice of the entire people. While because of a general recognition of this truth the question has seldom been presented to the courts, yet we find that in Updegraph v. Com., 11 Serg. & R. 394, 400, it was decided that, ‘Christianity, general Christianity, is, and always has been, a part of the common law of Pennsylvania.”
      — Supreme Court Decision, 1892 Church of the Holy Trinity Decision v United States

      Boy…that falls WAY short of declaring this is a christian nation… You’d have to either be a complete idiot to come to that conclusion or flat out lie.

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:36am

      you ladies need to do your homework on American history and our founders. Out of the 56 that signed the Declaration of Independence, 29 had seminary degrees. When our President takes the oath of office he puts his hand on the Bible. People in court also either take an oath on the Bible or make an atheistic affirmation(recent change). Moses is on the US Supreme Court Building. His face is also in the House of Representatives Chamber. The cap on the Washington Monument has “Praise be to God” engraved in it with other Bible verses within the monument. And if we aren’t a Christian nation, why did Barry have to say that we aren’t? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmC3IevZiik
      Yes I saw the whole video. Yes I do my homework. I suggest you do the same. We are a Christian nation, not in establishment, but in covenant.

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 4:00am

      Voiceofstupidity – Go tell that to the Supreme Court.

      If anybody should have no role in government, that would be you Marxists.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:39am

      You can’t legislate morality, it is a responsibility of the people.

      Report this comment

      The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:58am

      [29 had seminary degrees]
      And degrees are of what constitutional legal relevance?

      [President takes the oath of office he puts his hand on the Bible]
      The United States Constitution provides “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States” and at least four Presidents have not been sworn in on a Bible.

      [Moses is on the US Supreme Court Building.]
      So is Menes, Hammurabi, *Moses*, Solomon, Lycurgus, Solon, Draco, Confucius, and Augustus (south wall)
      On the north wall they have Justinian, Muhammad, Charlemagne, John of England, Louis IX of France, Hugo Grotius, Sir William Blackstone, John Marshall, and Napoleon.
      I guess if the nation is based on christianity because of a frieze it would also be based on Islam and a number of other things.

      [His face is also in the House of Representatives Chamber.]
      Again, so is Hammurabi and a number of others far removed from christianity.

      [The cap on the Washington Monument has]
      Sorry, when was that built? Long after the nations founding. Please, stop trying to pass religious “lip service” off as evidence that this nation is christian when our own Constitution/Laws makes no such claim.

      [why did Barry have to say?]
      Irrelevant to “your” argument.

      [Christian nation, not in establishment, but in covenant.]
      *roleseyes* More like in “lip service”. Because that is all you got. Lip service for a bunch of bible thumpers.

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:56pm

      Pontiac
      Yes because having no degree in anything is far more relevant. The fact that they all agreed upon the Constitution also shows their “legal relevance” And I would say that their degrees are relevant because they had a Chriatian upbringing, a Christian education, and so therefore were influenced by Judeo-Christian ethics hence the different images of Moses. In case you didn’t know, he laid down the Mosaic Law in Israel. Also note that Moses is in the center amidst these other lawgivers and is also larger than the rest due to his higher significance. The Bible verses in the Washington Monument, despite the time it was built indicates that Christian ideals are important to this nation at the time of its construction and was relevant to Washington himself. And ooh…4 presidents…out of how many? And your easy dismissal of the video shows your ignorance. If we weren’t a Chriatian nation, then there would be no need to deny our Christian heritage. Ironically, he did this in a church. Take a look at the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that we are endowed by our CREATOR with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I’m sorry but we weren’t a secular nation. And no other religious ethic formed this nation.

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      djpeyton21  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:07pm

      Buddhists believe that pain is an illusion. Hindus have the caste system so no not everyone is equal. And atheists don’t have a foundation for objective morality so you really can’t make truth statements about life, liberty, and happiness. Islamic states are a theocracy, which our Founders didn’t want. And since they had fled from the Church of England, they understood religious persecution. Our Founders didn’t want religious minorities being singled out for persecution. That’s why the 1st Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion(no government SPONSORED religion) NOR shall it prohibit the FREE EXERCISE thereof.” Free exercise being stuff like praying where you want, when you want. Putting up crosses as a memorial to war veterans, etc. I could provide far more than this but it’s pointless arguing with a deaf and blind man because he can’t hear so he can’t listen and he can’t see so he can’t perceive. A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. (Proverbs 18:2 HCSB) And besides, the space available leaves me no room to write you a whole book on American history and it’s Christian roots.

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      djpeyton21  
    • colt1860
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:08pm

      President Adams, along with Congress, ratified the Treaty of Tripoli in 1797. The treaty of Tripoli remained on the books for eight years, at which time the treaty was renegotiated, and Article 11 was intentionally dropped.

      The majority of citizens in this Nation are Christian, and our State Constitutions ALL acknowledge God. It stands true today, and it stood true at our founding.

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      colt1860  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 5:24pm

      “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
      -John Adams

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:39pm

      [Yes because having no degree in anything is far more relevant.]
      Considering Princeton, Harvard, and Yale were all seminaries at the time, and not much else was available, what did you expect them to get a degree in to advance in politics? Electrical engineering?

      [therefore were influenced by Judeo-Christian ethics]
      “Influence” does not make a nation christian. Either it is, or it is not.
      I wonder if you’re still arguing this or forgotten.

      [In case you didn’t know, he laid down the Mosaic Law in Israel.]
      In case you didn’t know I already posted a link showing the tremendous conflict between the Constitution and the ten commandments. By all means try finding one “Mosaic law” that is in the constitution that has “never” before seen in any other culture in history not based on mosaic law.

      [Also note that Moses is in the center amidst these other lawgivers~]
      Also note the period the friezes were constructed and that they are STILL irrelevant to your argument…

      [indicates that Christian ideals are important to this nation]
      No, it doesn’t. It indicates politicians always have pandered to the mindless masses and they will wrap government in your god so its authority over the individual cant be questioned.

      [And ooh…4 presidents…out of how many?]
      “How many” still doesn’t validate your argument.

      [And your easy dismissal of the video shows your ignorance.]
      Boohoo.

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:45pm

      [then there would be no need to deny our Christian heritage.]
      I’m not denying the founders were christian or deist or space aliens. That never was the argument!

      [Ironically, he did this in a church.]
      Because there were huge sporting arena’s to do that stuff in at the time, right?

      [Take a look at the Declaration of Independence]
      Sorry no, the Declaration of Independence still doesn’t establish we are a “christian nation”.

      The holy roman empire was a “christian nation”. Our nation came to be due in MOST part from the “Age of Enlightenment”. Not by the proceeding 1700+ years of ignorant religious dogma which had been nothing more than a hindrance for every nation and its people that has tried to govern by it.

      Frankly I’m tired of your meandering drivel.

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:24pm

      Frankly I’m tired of secularists saying we’re not a Christian nation, but fortunately for both of us, we can’t be censored. You seem to be focusing on America as a theocracy. I never said we were a theocracy. In fact I’m saying that the Founders didn’t want that. I’m saying that Christianity has played such a role in our Founding and in its establishment, that effectively we are a Christian nation. There is no religious establishment that is sponsored by the government. But the Founders favored the Judeo-Christian religion over the rest, which you have failed to provide any substantial evidence of there not being a Christian influence. You have conceded that the colleges in America were Christian and that our Founders received a Christian education. Regardless of the time, our monuments, currency, and pledge are influenced by Christianity. This nation never was founded on secular opinion. The Declaration was intended not to show you that we are a theocracy, which you seem to be hung up on, but that our Founders recognized that we have God-given, not man given, rights. And despite your claim to the “Age of Enlightenment”, you’d find that Christians had a heavy influence there as well. Since you’re nothing but antagonistic and blind, I’m going to refrain from answering anymore. It’s obvious you’re unwilling to reason. If you want a fully secular nation, find an island and park it. Don’t mess up mine.

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      djpeyton21  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:46pm

      Even the most puritanical, patriarchal fire and brimstone preacher of today would have been an altar boy compared to even the least faithful of founders. These were deeply, deeply spiritual men. All of them.

      You don’t think even a tiny, itty bitty bit that had an effect on their thinking just a tad, maybe?

      Report this comment

      The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:27pm

    And for those who don’t get it, I am being sarcastic, this is what the Left sounds like.

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:29pm

      Wow, they took that post down quick, I guess the Blaze doesn’t like the word Booger, or Tube Snake Boogie. Too bad, that was one of my best posts.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:35pm

      Hey, they took my post down fast, under 2 minutes. What ever you do, don’t mention thong, booger, whip cream, and oreo cookie in the same post. I may have mentioned sweet tea and working a job as a food ******. But whatever you do, never combine all those words in a post, They go nuts and start sweating.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:37pm

      DAR: Agree with you ! That was a hoot. I even commented on it . Maybe my comment will appear like a dangling participle ….

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:48pm

      Peggy, remember to post all of your &%!*”! political rants on the Eastern Europe blog sites.
      I think it was the” red-neck t###bag”, that got your post transfered to a Gulag in Siberia…

      Report this comment

      DEFCON4  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:07pm

      @DEFCON4
      I would say, that probably did push it over the edge. But they are getting really touchy lately.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • lizaz
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:26pm

    Those uneducated and uninformed take their cue from the dictator…as the saying goes…”stuff” runs downhill!!! This poll is way off base….I wonder if they only asked democrats/socialists/marxists!!! Just another poll to ignore!!!

    Report this comment

    lizaz  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:33pm

      thats why i dont believe any of these polls there are trying to use them to change the thinking of main stream america. just like they are trying to say obama is way up in the polls and i cant find any body who is going to vote for him. and i have lots of democrate friends and lots of union people i work with dont want him back . so dont let these polls drag ya all down

      Report this comment

      pissantno.10  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:42pm

      PISSANT: get ready for the Stolen Election cries. This is the result of the Lap Dog Media’s control of the “news.”

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:07pm

      ya thats coming

      Report this comment

      pissantno.10  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:13pm

      PISSANT: And can’t you just imagine the CRISIS mode the Holder DOJ will go into ? Republicans “diluted” the vote. Republicans ” intimidate” the NBBP members who were ” protecting ” the voters. The blah….,blah…. blahs…. We have seen these tactics for so long : don’t win an election ?? Just ” occupy” the legislature . Don’t like to hear the opposition ? Just MIC check or glitter bomb in front OF YOUR LAP DOG MEDIA. Want to ruin the economy with bad home loans ? Get ACORN bull horns in front of banker’s homes..intimidate them and their neighbors. Want to distract the electorate ? Release an insulting video . The Left : they always have an Alinsky tactic to throw into the media .

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • barber2
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:25pm

    Seems that atheists and Muslims have both become rather militant of late. Know the atheists come after Christians like gang busters. Bet they do not do the same to the Muslims ! Would be interesting to see those two groups ” duke” it out .

    Report this comment

    barber2  
    • joe.r.piehole
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:33pm

      You’re an idiot. You think that atheism is a religious group, just like yours. We’re not. We think Muslims are just as delusional as you are.

      Report this comment

      joe.r.piehole  
    • momrules
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:39pm

      The atheists and the Muslims are working on the same team. The atheists just don’t think that the Muslims will ever come for them when they install Sharia.

      Report this comment

      momrules  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:41pm

      Ad the Nihlist and the Militant Pacifist in there, it will put WWE to shame.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • dblaess
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:15pm

      @joe.r.piehole
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:33pm
      You’re an idiot. You think that atheism is a religious group, just like yours. We’re not. We think Muslims are just as delusional as you are
      ————————————————————————–
      Nice display of tolerance and civility on your part. Why are you so full of hate that the first words out of your mouth call someone an “idiot”. The truth is that you hide behind a made up name rather than use your real one. If you truely felt Muslims were delusional, you would use your real name. You understand that Muslims would come after you so hide behind a screen name before saying anything negative about them. This is also why you most likely are willing to call people names.

      Report this comment

      dblaess  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:16pm

      Joe – Yet you atheists have killed more people than all religions combined. So if anybody is delusional and dangerous, it’s you atheists.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:44pm

      JOE: so I’m an ” idiot” and “delusional ?” Ok. Here is my Lefty -styled reply : You are a bigoted , arrogant, intolerant atheist ! But. hey, have a nice day…somewhere else would in nice…

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:51pm

      Mom: Agree with you. The atheists and the Muslims are both riding on the Destroy Capitalism Express bus at the moment. Will get very nasty after that stop ! ( like the Libya embassy killings. These Muslims hate ALL Westerners…capitalist or not….our clueless Obama Lefties just haven’t figured that out yet ! )

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:25pm

      @dblaess [f you truely felt Muslims were delusional, you would use your real name. You understand that Muslims would come after you so hide behind a screen name before saying anything negative about them. ]
      …What? Why are atheist held to a different standard? By all means, use “your” real name and address and tell us what “you” think about Muslims. Go on, let it all out. Don’t think I say this in Piehole’s defense, I’m simply sick and tired of “christians” fabricating some deranged debate standard for their twisted gratification.

      Report this comment

      Pontiac  
    • Individualism
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:46pm

      take a look at your folks, your going around to peoples countries, invading them, murdering their people and trying to take over their goverment. so called peaceful Christianity.

      Report this comment

      Individualism  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:14pm

      IDIVI: Yes. So nice of you to defend the suicide bombers who intimidate their own country men ( women don’t count ) to make sure that their own people are not allowed to experience the freedom of religious choice. Yeah. Just keep defending the intolerant, suicide bomber Islamic killers .. while you demonize those who try to bring free choice to these people… apparently slavery and servitude to religious crazed cleric is your idea of the ” prefect ” society. Strange as most of you Lefty Obama people are atheists. Anti-American freedoms . Go figure. I sure can’t…

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • djpeyton21
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:46am

      yeah mom. Medinan Muslims want to kill all who don’t believe in Allah. I hope this links helps educate these poor ‘unbelievers’ understand just what Allah thinks about all of us, religious or not.
      http://www.truthdig.com/images/diguploads/verses.html

      Report this comment

      djpeyton21  
  • RayOne
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:19pm

    Pew is drinking the Kool-Aid, the lie-corrections are making the MSM lose all credibility. He is his own worse enemy.

    Report this comment

    RayOne  
  • theotherberean
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:14pm

    Even the Mormons are intolerant these days.

    http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/09/17/mormons-patriotism-doesnt-extend-freedom-speech

    Report this comment

    theotherberean  
    • Marine25
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:22pm

      Even the Mormons are intolerant these days?
      In which days in the history of the Mormon faith were they tolerant?
      Ignorance and comic genius…a very fine line.

      Report this comment

      Marine25  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:37pm

      ya marine not you prove that alot

      Report this comment

      pissantno.10  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:15pm

      Marine – At least they’re not hypocritically preaching tolerance like you Marxists are. You’re the worst people when it comes to intolerance. At least Mormons haven’t killed as many people as you atheists have.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • Individualism
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:42pm

      most intolerant folks i have ever met in my life.

      Report this comment

      Individualism  
  • kaydeebeau
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:12pm

    Well study our history, read the Delcaration…without God, we are just a gaggle of humanists dependajnt upon the whims of men.

    Report this comment

    kaydeebeau  
    • Polarized America
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:36pm

      The Declaration is great, but it’s our Constitution that says it all

      !st Amendment …OK folks, pick a Religion ( or not ) and say anything you want …

      2nd Amendment … OK now Everybody grab your Guns

      it all makes perfect sense

      Report this comment

      Polarized America  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:10pm

      POLARIZED: Funny. Tolerance, manners, and good taste seem to have gone the way of the Model A . It’s a new, edgy, tattooed, in-your-face, angry world out there…

      Report this comment

      barber2  
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