Believe it or not, Lance, I do understand the distinction between "religion" (a word I use on TT sometimes for lack of a better word), and true faith in Jesus Christ. Izzy
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lance Muir Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 5:51 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] The role of religion in a secular society This use of the word 'religion' is one with which I agree. Thanks, David. There is another, with which neither I nor the Scriptures agree. I believe that you occasionally confuse the two in your own usage. You offered a correction to Izzy some time back on this very distinction. Do you remember? ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: December 02, 2004 11:29 Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] The role of religion in a secular society > Lance wrote: > > David Miller says that 'there should be freedom for > > the better religions to gain prominence' Please help > > me to understand what you mean by 1. better 2. > > religions (plural) 3. gain prominence (Darwinian? > > Stronger over weaker?) > > We should not be so foolish as to think that all religions have equal merit. > There are good religions and there are bad religions. James characterizes > religion that is pure and undefiled before God in the following passage: > > James 1:27 > (27) Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit > the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted > from the world. > > Therefore, religions which are better ought to receive praise and > recognition in our society. The government has a responsibility toward the > general welfare of the public, and in recognizing the similar function of > government and religion, government has in the past enacted laws that did > not tax religious groups that carried out functions which were for the > mutual benefit of the public. I think this is proper and shows a preference > toward those religions that actually benefit society. > > In the same way, we should allow prayers and moral teachings to permeate our > society, regardless of what religion they come from. Those religions that > have merit will come to prominence in society that way, because as a society > we value them. We should not be afraid of prayers at school or the ten > commandments hanging in the schools or public courthouse. While the > secularists fight for freedom FROM religion, a more profitable course would > be for us to preserve the Consitutional viewpoint of freedom OF religion. > > Peace be with you. > David Miller. > > > ---------- > "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org > > If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
