I was thinking this morning about the dangers of so-called "egalitarianism". There is a collapse of normal logic sometimes. Consider this remark;
"If society has decided that it wants to ensure by law that every citizen of this country has equal rights, then there cannot be endless exemptions for religious bodies or anyone else" ??? Here it is again in different words;"There is no such thing as partial equality, and every time an exemption is made, someone else's rights are compromised"...(Keith Porteous Wood)
Oh, so this means that when a Christian is told you may obey your conscience in your house, but not on the street (Trevor Phillips' idea). This is not "partial equality"? What it boils down to is this; everyone is entitled to full equality except those who have different ideas to the Government, the Human Rights Watchdog, the Mayor and Town Council...etc. Everyone is free except those who have a different concept of freedom. Only one concept of freedom is allowed, and everyone must submit their consciences to the law. No religious group can claim to be "above" the law and everyone must do as the rulers say (does this include Jews in Nazi Germany?..Sorry, I know that subject is always off limits). No maties, legality is not always the same as morality and there is no such thing as an egalitarianism which discriminates against the private conscience. The law of the land is meant to serve the common good, but not at the expense of the right to free thought and free speech and the right to worship according to our consciences (providing, of course, this does not practically prevent others from following theirs). The preaching of the Gospel challenges hearts and minds, it does not lay down legal sanctions in the manner of the State or punishments or fines for not accepting it. I am assuming that so much of this attack on Christianity has to do with guilt - some people just cannot abide hearing the Ten Commandments or the teachings of Christ - it is too disturbing. Therefore it has to be stopped or kept off the streets. Am I being OTT here? No, just watch and see what various politicians will say and how bitter they are against anhyone who invokes the will of God. They are waiting in the wings and they have made no secret of it.
"If society has decided that it wants to ensure by law that every citizen of this country has equal rights, then there cannot be endless exemptions for religious bodies or anyone else" ??? Here it is again in different words;"There is no such thing as partial equality, and every time an exemption is made, someone else's rights are compromised"...(Keith Porteous Wood)
Oh, so this means that when a Christian is told you may obey your conscience in your house, but not on the street (Trevor Phillips' idea). This is not "partial equality"? What it boils down to is this; everyone is entitled to full equality except those who have different ideas to the Government, the Human Rights Watchdog, the Mayor and Town Council...etc. Everyone is free except those who have a different concept of freedom. Only one concept of freedom is allowed, and everyone must submit their consciences to the law. No religious group can claim to be "above" the law and everyone must do as the rulers say (does this include Jews in Nazi Germany?..Sorry, I know that subject is always off limits). No maties, legality is not always the same as morality and there is no such thing as an egalitarianism which discriminates against the private conscience. The law of the land is meant to serve the common good, but not at the expense of the right to free thought and free speech and the right to worship according to our consciences (providing, of course, this does not practically prevent others from following theirs). The preaching of the Gospel challenges hearts and minds, it does not lay down legal sanctions in the manner of the State or punishments or fines for not accepting it. I am assuming that so much of this attack on Christianity has to do with guilt - some people just cannot abide hearing the Ten Commandments or the teachings of Christ - it is too disturbing. Therefore it has to be stopped or kept off the streets. Am I being OTT here? No, just watch and see what various politicians will say and how bitter they are against anhyone who invokes the will of God. They are waiting in the wings and they have made no secret of it.
Cranmer
archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com
Religious faith will be of the same significance to the 21st century as political ideology was to the 20th century. In an era of globalisation, there is nothing more important than getting people of different
Religious liberty must always end here. It pits one 'freedom' against another. The only true solution is to abandon the Vatican II notion of religious liberty and call again, even die again, for the Catholic state. Let us not die defending secularism, at least!
ReplyDeleteI cannot agree with this "Anonymous". What is needed is a proper respect, in international law and in national laws for the freedom to believe and act and worship according to one's conscience. In so far as this liberty does not infringe on another's liberty to do the same. In a case of conflict, the law should provide safety for both and a means of reconciliation at the level of the common good. It is not impossible. We have had it in great Britain for at least 100 years (since, at least, Catholic emancipation). What is happening now is that secular humanists and anti-Christians are trying to prevent us from teaching and speaking and acting out our faith. it is not Christians, this time, who are trying to prevent others from exercising their consciences, it is those who call themselves "freethinkers" or liberals. Chesterton warned against this many years ago. When it comes down to it, the most intolerant people of all are those who espouse tolerance just so long as we agree with them. This is one route to persecution and perhaps we must now prepare for that.
ReplyDeleteI agree, people should not be treated specially because they have a set of beliefs. If secularists want to express their beliefs and discuss them in public, that's fine. If theists want to express their beliefs and discuss them in public, that's fine too. I don't think either side should have special exceptions made for them.
ReplyDeleteI am a supporter of the separation of church and government, and I am an egalitarian.