Michael Cash wrote:
> On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 23:16:05 +0900, Raj Feridun
> <rferid@NOSPAMyahoo.co.jp> brought down from the Mount tablets
> inscribed:
> 
> 
>>On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 22:47:12 +0900, Michael Cash
>><mikecash@buggerallspammers.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>They WERE mobilized as never before but it just turned out to be the
>>>>Jesus freaks and not the young voters.
>>
>>>Look, I'm a devout Atheist, and even I can't understand the major
>>>problem so many on the left seem to have with Christians going to the
>>>polls and voting in accordance with their personal convictions.
>>
>>>Especially I can't understand the elitist, dismissive, insulting tones
>>>in which they so often do it.
>>
>>>Even more especially I can't understand how they claim to be more
>>>tolerant and inclusive than conservatives if *that* is the attitude
>>>they take toward a subgroup of the population.
>>
>>>Even even more more I can't believe it when they say they are for
>>>religious freedom.
>>
>>Allow me to explain then, sir. The Christians for whom my rancor is
>>reserved are the proselytizers that seek to make America a fine nation
>>of upstanding moral Christian values. They want to "clean up the
>>airwaves" and bring prayer back to schools. They have their hooks in
>>this "born again" President who's on the God hotline and are actively
>>pushing towards their goals. Also chief among their goals of course is
>>the end of legal abortions and stem cell research.
> 
> 
> I see.
> 
> And wanting them to stop doing this doesn't somehow conflict with the
> First Amendment?
> 
>>Yes, I am for religious freedom, the key word being FREEDOM. Freedom
>>as in everyone being free to believe what they like and pray to whom
>>they like and not even a scintilla of a HINT of a merger of religion
>>and state.
> 
> 
> But voting in accordance with one's beliefs and exercising the duties
> of a public office in accordance with one's belief is not the same as
> merging religion and state.

Indeed. During the 2nd debate, there was a question on abortion. Kerry 
said that he believes life to begin at conception but that he could not 
"legislate" a pro-life bill (given the First Amendment ban on 
establishing religion) because his belief was a Catholic teaching. Then 
he cited other aspects of his faith, touching on the environment, 
equality and justice, that he said *would* shape his policies.

-- 
Kevin
"This is the best election night in history."--Democratic National 
Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, Nov. 2, 2004, just before 8 p.m. EST