(fixed typo: eschatological) Church & State -- or just Church?

[wcepler]

Church & State -- or just Church?

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Whatever happened to the American constitutional separation of church and state? Or for that matter, whatever happened to our constitution? Remember the American Constitution? Remember our treasured Bill of Rights? Our forefathers fought and died for these noble documents!

Even former President Jimmy Carter, certainly a moral hero of our times, felt the need to caution us in the 3/19/03 New York Times about "spokesmen of the Southern Baptist Convention who are greatly influenced by their commitment to Israel based on eschatological, or final days, theology." Hey, how about FIRST days, how about planning for our children's FUTURES?

Doomsdayers have been around for millennia, so this is nothing new, but this is certainly the first time they've ever pulled the strings of American foreign policy.

Think of all the images these days, the shoes that fit. We're now on a "new crusade" (we should remember what happened after the last few), and isn't "might makes right" or "the end justifies the means" simply the Holy Inquisition or Salem Witch Trials all over again? In a country and world of laws, the end DOESN'T justify the means! This is a recipe for chaos, for righteous tyranny.

Surely the painful irony here is that most practitioners of the world's great religions are embarrassed if not horrified by these death obsessed cults. What ever happened to gentle Jesus? Whatever happened to the Hebrew prophets (those beacons of justice)? Whatever happened to the gracious and civilized gardens of Islam? Isn't it about time we put all this death/hate/righteousness behind us? A prayer for peace would be nice.

wcproteus

[lvx35]

1. I propose a monument for these people.

Designed to last 5,000 years. The names and beliefs of all who think the world is about to end will be written in stone, for all future generations to see. It will be centrally located so people can tour it. Just think, if we had done this 2000 years ago, what a great monument it would already be.

And while were at it, I want a global warming monument, designed to protrude above water, that will be build on land where the oceans are expected to rise. I want the deniers of global warming to have their names added to the monument, and I want it viewable from some elevated ridge not expected to go under water.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Strike up the Apocalypticon!

Something familiar,
Something peculiar,
Something for everyone:
The Eschaton tonight!

Something appealing,
Something appalling,
Something for everyone:
The Eschaton tonight!

Bush is the King, he’s got the crown;
Bring on the perverts, liars and clowns!

Old situations,
New complications,
All is portentous and recondite;
Tragedy tomorrow,
Eschaton tonight!

[wcepler]

3. reply

Thank you! This is really cool, I'm going to pass it on. Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.

wcproteus