re: #883 buzzsawmonkey

I am merely stating that the fact that someone’s faith informs their thoughts and decisions is not reason for disqualifying them from active political participation; you, on the other hand, seem to think it does.

If that faith requires they take specific positions on the basis of “G-d says so,” that doesn’t leave a lot of room for reasoned discussion. Religious logic isn’t like our earth logic, and the 1st Amendment was specifically written to protect us from each other’s religious beliefs.

Nothing will ever convince my grandmother that cheeseburgers aren’t actually an abomination in the eyes of the Lord; nothing will ever persuade her that lobster is an acceptable meal. She once smelled bacon in my kitchen, and ran out of the house yelling “unclean! unclean!” Aren’t you glad she doesn’t run the Health Department, with her faith informing her decisions?

I certainly wouldn’t want my marital and reproductive decisions subject to the beliefs of a religion that directly contradicts mine. My grandfather found it embarrassing enough to have to apply for religious exclusions to drink Sabbath wine during prohibition; I’d be mortified if I had to bring a rabbi’s note and detail my sex life to some stranger to be able to buy pills.