http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/11/23/wtf Comments On: WTF? by Dan Savage en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Thu, 23 May 2013 23:45:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Of course, it one isn't recognized by the IRS, so therefore isn't a Constitutionally protected religion like Scientology.
Posted by SolCat]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:49:52 -0800 The Stranger The Constitution does most definitely say something about the separation of church and state. It doesn't use that particular phrase, but the first amendment clearly talks about keeping the government out of the realm of religion. So it is a fair question to ask how to apply what the Constitution says about government and religion to the issue at hand. Would the government be "establishing a religion" if it compelled insurance companies to cover prayer? Would CSs be prohibited from the free exercise of their religion if the government didn't enact this provision? Is there another part of the law that might be relevant to this issue?

People's religious beliefs and values shape their views and their decisions. In that sense, you aren't going to keep religion out of government. Nor would you necessarily want to. (There are some pretty important ideas that we consider fundamental to our civil society whose basis is in religious teaching.) Similarly, any religious group should be free to advocate and promote its own issues and positions. If they use the democratic system and get the votes, there is nothing to argue about. That's how it's supposed to work. The "wall" comes into play by preventing a majority in the government from establishing their religion as the national religion and compelling all to the observance of that religion. It also prevents an unelected religious official from holding a government office from which he/she could influence policy and law.

So, though I don't agree with the provision, I guess I see nothing wrong in the Church of Christ trying to get this provision passed, and I see nothing wrong in two Senators supporting it. If it passes, and the voters don't like it, the political process provides us a way to challenge its Constitutionality and register our disapproval by voting these Senators out of office.
Posted by duke d'uke]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:50:16 -0800 The Stranger Posted by dwight moody]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:51:53 -0800 The Stranger
Sorry, Mormons.
Posted by power]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:09:32 -0800 The Stranger
Sorry, Mormons.
Posted by power]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:08:56 -0800 The Stranger Posted by someone over here]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:33:30 -0800 The Stranger Posted by heartfelt]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:41:05 -0800 The Stranger prayer was so efficient in fighting off and/or healing illness and disease, why does anyone need health insurance to begin with???? Let alone "reform"
Posted by D310]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:10:08 -0800 The Stranger Posted by laurelgardner]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:40:50 -0800 The Stranger
(speaking of news, i think it's interesting that the CS Monitor is one of the most highly esteemed national newspapers that is lauded and quoted by many people around the globe for its reporting, but i rarely see it referred to here in the SLOG)

@68 people in the CS faith go to get their eyes checked/get corrective tools like glasses or contacts and see dentists for services like everyone else.

and before everyone jumps on it YES I KNOW this sounds counterintuitive to the, for lack of a better term, 'let go and let god' aspect of metaphysical healing that CS believes in. i cannot answer to that.

i might be able to gather an answer about the above issue from a practitioner myself (or i'm sure anyone else could look up a CS practitioner and ask them - but please be kind and not on the offense. these people are good people and in their belief system are only following what christ jesus did - he prayed for people, he didn't prescribe 'take 2 of these and call me in the morning' - and again, YES I REALIZE it was a different time/world with different health/care issues back then,) but i'm sure if someone from the stranger/SLOG wanted they could (KINDLY) get in touch with someone who is more of an 'official' type person within the church who would give their best answer to that query.
Posted by jezbian]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:14 -0800 The Stranger Posted by dwight moody]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:20:18 -0800 The Stranger
Humanity stayed alive for thousands and thousands of years without modern medicine, the fact your family has lasted 4 generations doesn't prove anything.

The question is, are you better or worse off for your beliefs. The obvious answer to any impartial observer is "worse."
Posted by dwight moody]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:17:03 -0800 The Stranger Posted by AB]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:53:47 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Tetchy Brit]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:47:33 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Rob in Baltimore]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:31:27 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mrs. Norris]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:50:08 -0800 The Stranger Posted by persimmon]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:33:23 -0800 The Stranger Posted by artlady]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:05:56 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Kevin_BGFH]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:52:20 -0800 The Stranger Posted by dwight moody]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:52:06 -0800 The Stranger Posted by pointypartyhat]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:02:46 -0800 The Stranger Nobody's stopping anyone from praying but my money should not be paying for someone to pray. Certainly if your money can't be used for something you don't believe in (abortion) then my money shouldn't be used to pay for something I don't believe in (prayer). You guys let insurance pay for abortion I bet everyone here would be more open to letting it pay for prayer.
Posted by Root]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:48:53 -0800 The Stranger
I can't disagree.
Posted by kim in portland]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:25:41 -0800 The Stranger
"The vision of Christ that thou dost see
The Vision of Christ that thou dost see
Is my Vision’s Greatest Enemy.
Thine has a great hook nose like thine;
Mine has a snub nose like to mine.
Thine is the friend of All Mankind;
Mine speaks in parables to the Blind.
Thine loves the same world that mine hates;
Thy Heaven doors are my Hell Gates.
Socrates taught what Melitus
Loathd as a Nation’s bitterest Curse;
And Caiphas was in his own Mind
A benefactor to Mankind.
Both read the Bible day & night,
But thou readst black where I read white."

Religion, it's whatever you want it to be.
Posted by dwight moody]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:02:47 -0800 The Stranger Posted by bay_area]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:51:19 -0800 The Stranger