Post by rebeccapl116 on Dec 8, 2012 18:32:24 GMT -5
Denying American citizens their rights in order to promote biblical ideology as opposed to the constitutional ideology has damaged the American consensus. Legalizing gay marriage and abortion are controversial topics; primarily because of many people in this country who have a deeply rooted religious belief that these are sins. This would be a compelling argument had it been presented in the court of Judge Hawthorn when the bible served as the word of God and the word of the justice system.
American ideology is based on religious freedom and a separation of church and state. This amendment was instated because our founding fathers had seen the consequences of puritanical society relying on religious text as their only guide. The constitution is a flexible document, which has enabled America to be a country that is progressive and not based on the inflexible tradition of the church.
Letting religious values drive our social policies hasn’t lead to public hangings like it did in puritanical society; but there is a crack in the American consensus. The presidential election showed the split between Republicans and Democrats is, for the most part, clean cut. For the past four years, our nation’s leaders have not been able to compromise.
Republicans, like Christie Whitman, have been calling for an ideological makeover of the Republican Party for a long time. Whitman encourages politicians to take moderate stances on social issues including gay marriage and women’s health rights. Whitman has no plans to attack or impose on religious values and thinks, “the government’s role should end when a consenting couple has signed the legal papers saying they want to be partners for life for legal purposes. If a church or a mosque or a synagogue will marry the couple, then God bless them,” (Whitman).
For years, moderate politicians like Whitman were ignored. After the election, the Republican Party seems ready to come to the middle. The rhetoric of the party seems to be changing. On the subject of abortion, which is also widely opposed due to religious beliefs, John McCain said, “I can state my position on abortion but, other than that, leave the issue alone... I’m proud of my pro-life position and record, but if someone disagrees with me, I respect your views,” (McCain). This statement is similar to one made by Joe Biden during the vice presidential debate discussing personal choice versus national freedom.
No matter who you are, if a law regarding women’s or gay rights is passed, your freedoms will still be protected. If you are pro-life, you do not have to choose abortion; you can instill these values in your children without government interference. If your church does not want to allow gay marriage it does not have to. This is American ideology.
Giving women and gay people rights is not an attack on religion; it is another chapter to add to our history as innovators and liberators. Compromise will mend the crack in the consensus and America can begin to move forward.
Moran, Tom. "Former Gov. Christie Whitman on rebooting the Republican Party: A Q
& A." Nj.com. New Jersey On-Line LLC, n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.
<http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/12/
former_gov_christie_whitman_on.html>.
American ideology is based on religious freedom and a separation of church and state. This amendment was instated because our founding fathers had seen the consequences of puritanical society relying on religious text as their only guide. The constitution is a flexible document, which has enabled America to be a country that is progressive and not based on the inflexible tradition of the church.
Letting religious values drive our social policies hasn’t lead to public hangings like it did in puritanical society; but there is a crack in the American consensus. The presidential election showed the split between Republicans and Democrats is, for the most part, clean cut. For the past four years, our nation’s leaders have not been able to compromise.
Republicans, like Christie Whitman, have been calling for an ideological makeover of the Republican Party for a long time. Whitman encourages politicians to take moderate stances on social issues including gay marriage and women’s health rights. Whitman has no plans to attack or impose on religious values and thinks, “the government’s role should end when a consenting couple has signed the legal papers saying they want to be partners for life for legal purposes. If a church or a mosque or a synagogue will marry the couple, then God bless them,” (Whitman).
For years, moderate politicians like Whitman were ignored. After the election, the Republican Party seems ready to come to the middle. The rhetoric of the party seems to be changing. On the subject of abortion, which is also widely opposed due to religious beliefs, John McCain said, “I can state my position on abortion but, other than that, leave the issue alone... I’m proud of my pro-life position and record, but if someone disagrees with me, I respect your views,” (McCain). This statement is similar to one made by Joe Biden during the vice presidential debate discussing personal choice versus national freedom.
No matter who you are, if a law regarding women’s or gay rights is passed, your freedoms will still be protected. If you are pro-life, you do not have to choose abortion; you can instill these values in your children without government interference. If your church does not want to allow gay marriage it does not have to. This is American ideology.
Giving women and gay people rights is not an attack on religion; it is another chapter to add to our history as innovators and liberators. Compromise will mend the crack in the consensus and America can begin to move forward.
Moran, Tom. "Former Gov. Christie Whitman on rebooting the Republican Party: A Q
& A." Nj.com. New Jersey On-Line LLC, n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.
<http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/12/
former_gov_christie_whitman_on.html>.