The Idea that Some Americans want to Enforce their own Brand of Morality and Religion on the rest of us is not surprising. When you Claim to Speak for the "ALMIGHTY", and your Faith Teaches that all else is Evil, than Tolerance and Understanding is probably not High on your list of Priorities.
However, in the U.S., the Form of Government is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC, and there are Safeguards that are set up to prevent a Single Faith or Set of Beliefs from becoming the Source of all Legal Decisions, and the Final Word on Morality, Rights, and Acceptable Behavior.
What I find Interesting, and a Little Disturbing, is that Many of Those who would seek to Criminalize Offending Acts that run contrary to Their Faith, consider Themselves EVANGELICAL.
CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM, at its Heart, is Spreading the Word of JESUS CHRIST, at least in Terms of how it is interpreted Through Scripture. Not every Form of Evangelism Preaches the same System of Faith, and Disagreements are quite common.
Yet, they all seem to have One Thing In Common; BRINGING IN NEW CONVERTS, AND GETTING THEIR MESSAGE OUT TO THE WORLD, IS DONE BY PREACHING THE IDEA OF ETERNAL SALVATION. IN ADDITION, COMING TO GOD, DECLARING ONES DEVOTION, AND REPENTING PAST SINS, ARE ALL NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTING ENTRY INTO THE NEW FAITH. THIS MAY INCLUDE SUCH RITES AS BAPTISM.
There is also One Other Key Ingredient: THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST COME TO THIS LIFE CHANGING MOMENT FREELY, AND ACCEPTING THE "WORD OF GOD" IS NOT DONE BY FORCE OF ARMS, OR BY STATUTE.
IN OTHER WORDS; A TRUE CONVERSION RESULTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL "FEARING THE WRATH OF GOD" IF THEY DO NOT ACCEPT THE TEACHINGS OF THE NEW FAITH, AND NOT BECAUSE THEY FEAR THE "HAND OF MAN."
TO BE CONTINUED.
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