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The problem I have with #1 is always “churches”. They are very powerful institutions and have disproportionate leverage wherever the government doesn’t step in
by jnovek 4y ago
The problem I have with #1 is always “churches”. They are very powerful institutions and have disproportionate leverage wherever the government doesn’t step in. E.g. Catholic hospitals that won’t prescribe birth control.
Government, for better or worse, is secular. I don’t have to be concerned that I am subject to the rules of someone else’s faith when I need help from an organization larger than myself.
- thepasswordis 4y ago>The problem I have with #1 is always “churches”. Participation in church is voluntary. Participation in state government is not. That's the difference.
- jnovek 4y agoIf you’re down on your luck, participation in an organization willing to support you is not voluntary. Right now, if you need help in America, your options are either the government or faith-based organizations. I know from experience, I’m just getting back on my feet after my own run of bad luck. I’m not in love with the government by any means. It is inefficient and incentivizes corruption. If all the money that moved through faith-based organizations instead moved through secular organizations, I would be interested in “small government” reforms.
- blacklion 4y ago> Government, for better or worse, is secular. Are you sure? How much US Senators are openly atheists? I was shocked about 5 years ago, when I learned, that (about 5 years ago) answer was two. Yes. Two. Look at anti-abortion laws in USA: they are all religious-based! And it is not only USA. Poland. Russia. Greece. Some places in Germany. Not to mention Iran, Afghanistan, UAE, Qatar, Yemen...
- jnovek 4y agoThe U.S. government itself is a secular organization. It just happens to be run by people of faith. The distinction is important.