Quite unsurprisingly, this thread has called to the forefront many issues which have permeated America and other nations, too for quite some time. These are issues of: the majority overshadowing the minority; conversely, the uprising of the minority in ostensibly successful attempts of thwarting the majority, the marginalization of both categorizes and, ultimately, that which is right and that which is wrong.
In the way of religion, I am of the opinion that the practitioners should be free to practice it within the confines of their own life. That is to say, their particular way of life should not be forced upon anyone else in any way. No, I am not an advocate for the marginalization of any one religion as, quite obviously that only creates a dichotomous wall between to believers of one thing and the believers of something else. However, I am not so naïve as to think that the freedom of religion helps to obliterate this dichotomous wall, in fact, in seems to work to the opposite effect. To own the truth, as long as there is religion there will be evangelist, and as long as they evangelize each to his own faith - people will incessantly be at one anothers throats.
The initial poster acquainted us with the dismal reality of the suppression of Christianity; in fact, to cite him directly: The separation of church and state issue has been pushed to incredible extremes. While I tend to agree with Dr Rocks assertion that the separation of church and state cannot be determined by or through varying degrees either theyre separate or they are not, there is something to be said of the current state of affairs. I maintain the idea that Christianity should not be suppressed; children should not be forced to remove crosses for about their necks, they should not be suspended for reciting Christian prays, or subject to any other overt or covert forms of unfair suppression. True to form, I maintain this idea for any and all religions. Im for the separation of church and state, but this is hardly the case; yet, this alludes to the actuality of politicians using religion as a means to gain money, influence and, at last, power. Our government is most certainly in a bad way.
LongPhatDong cast a very depressing light on cultural and ethnic marginalization. Ive expressed my sentiments concerning this before and will again: its quite pathetic. Although weve come a rather long way for the days of ethnic marginalization, it still remains an ominous, pervasive and powerful force within American and other nations even if, in some areas anyway, it exists only within peoples minds. That is to say, racism that is not outwardly displayed, but kept behind closed doors; while some may say this is better than an open display, I should like for it to be eradicated completely. Alas, Ive resolved within myself that this is wishful thinking and wholly impossible.
This all reminds me of a quote once cited by William O. Douglas: As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.
