I don’t think it would bother me. The church is the people not the building or the trinkets they place inside.
I would imagine counties have a hard time trying to find public buildings out in the neighborhoods for polling places. Churches are a natural choice as a place that generally has a large room to accomodate it.
I would be curious if any other Christians on the board would be willing to answer the question. Would anyone feel uncomfortable voting at a venue that didn’t necessarily align with their belief system?
First of all, I don’t think that voting has anything to do with it. If I had to vote in a Mosque of Mormon temple, no problem. I’m not there to worship I’m there to vote.
As for other places that don’t align with my belief system, I can’t imagine they would hold a polling booth in for example, den of Satan worshippers but if they did, again, I am there to vote.
I really think it’s the non-religious people that raise the fuss about others forcing their views on them. When I am travelling, I am willing to exchange my money for other money even though it doesn’t have “In God we Trust on it” something that non-religious people here have a hard time with.
I have never complained when atheists try to force their views on me.
Maybe it’s the non-Christians who are relly the intolerant ones after all.
Would any Christians on the forum be offended voting in a Church of Satan surrounded by satanic messages etc? Who would vote in a Mosque?
I think that situation is a bit different because for many communities, particularly smaller ones, churches are the hub of social activities. In other words, other groups, besides the church itself may use the church facilties for breakfasts, meetings, etc. Some of the smaller couthouses don’t have the meeting rooms and/or the space some churches have.
Churches often double as homeless/women’s shelters, food pantries, meeting places, etc … where the “message of the church” isn’t the dominating aspect in those instances.
It would not be difficult to cover up certain messages in the polling area to make it more “neutral”, without demeaning the church’s ultimate purpose … if such things were overtly displayed and considered to be offensive or overly influential.
I find Britney Spears offensive.
But, that could be just me.
Would anyone feel uncomfortable voting at a venue that didn’t necessarily align with their belief system?
Not at all. I’m voting, not worhsipping there. Geez, if my belief is so fragile that steppinginto a place of worship that is different than mine poses some type of legit threat, then my being offended isn’t the biggest problem I have. I guess the same thing could be asked of non-believers.
I have never complained when atheists try to force their views on me.
Me neither. Come to think of it … I’ve never really thought about it before. I just chalked it up to differences in people living in a diverse and free country.
I am always somewhat confused of the “forcing beliefs on me”, when none of these things force anyone to accept Christ as their Savior, get baptised, partake of Communion, pray to God, Forigve one who asks for forgiveness, or any of the other practices of Christianity. Usually what “forcing your beliefs on me” means is “I don’t want to see any religious practices, displays, or items when I am out of my house.” Well, gee, there goes the free in freedom.
Quite often in threads that present these ideas, I am at the end, comforted and reassured that Christians aren’t the intolerant SOB’s so many seem to claim they are, and that perhaps those demanding secularity everywhere aren’t as tolerant as advertised.
**I find Britney Spears offensive. **
Why are you forcing your views on me?
Hey, some one has to fill the vacuum created by the collapse of the Christian Right. Might as well be me.
***I think that situation is a bit different because for many communities, particularly smaller ones, churches are the hub of social activities. In other words, other groups, besides the church itself may use the church facilties for breakfasts, meetings, etc. Some of the smaller couthouses don’t have the meeting rooms and/or the space some churches have. ***
Good point. I was thinking about that when Tim mentioned it as well.
***It would not be difficult to cover up certain messages in the polling area to make it more “neutral”, without demeaning the church’s ultimate purpose … if such things were overtly displayed and considered to be offensive or overly influential. ***
Sure. Seems like if voting, for example, took place in a known diverse community that it would be a decent gesture to try to make people feel comfortable… This reminds me a little of Ashcroft covering up the Spirit of Justice. As crazy as that sounded to some, people just have certain things that make them very uncomfortable and therefore things tend to happen to make the uncomfortable person feel more comfortable. Ultimately stuff like this is driven by public opinion.
I don’t know…the idea is to avoid an establishment of State sponsored religion right? Voting in a church?? Voting only in Christian Churches but not in a Mosque or Synagogue? Voting in all of the above, none of the above? You can’t really please everyone. It’s interesting though that the concept has been around for a while and is credited by some to Jesus himself in Matthew 22:21. I hadn’t heard that.
Add another example to the list – the rabbi who threatened to sue if an airport did not take down a “Christmas Tree” because the airport is a public place. I really would like to see the airport keep the tree up, and give some type of nod to other religions.
Mike
Mike, Can you please tell me which religion uses the Christmas tree as a religious symbol?
And in this case, the Rabi would drop the suit if they put up a menorah.
Since, at least in Michigan, anyone can get an absentee ballot, if you were offended you could vote that way.
I am Catholic, and would be offended and upset if I had to vote somewhere that had pictures of aborted babies, cause I take my kids with me and would prefer not to have to explain what those pictures are to a 4 yr old.
Oh, KKK, Hall of Satan (do you know where any are could be interesting). No those things would not offend me. Porn store could be interesting but again not a really family friendly location.
Porn store could be interesting
Wonder how that would affect voter turnout?
I want to know more about the town the church is in, and details of the “anti-abortion” displays. I think we can both agree that towns vary greatly, as do so-called “anti-abortion” displays.
"And in this case, the Rabi would drop the suit if they put up a menorah. "
But then what about Muslims? And Hindus? And Buddhists? And what about atheists? And what about Kwanza? What about Festivus? The airport guy was right when he decided he didn’t have the time or money to take this out to it’s logical conclusion.
Add another example to the list – the rabbi who threatened to sue if an airport did not take down a “Christmas Tree” because the airport is a public place. I really would like to see the airport keep the tree up, and give some type of nod to other religions.
Mike
Mike, Can you please tell me which religion uses the Christmas tree as a religious symbol?
And in this case, the Rabi would drop the suit if they put up a menorah.
you yourself just made it a religous (Christian) symbol by saying Christmas tree. It’s not a holiday tree after all.
"you yourself just made it a religous (Christian) symbol by saying Christmas tree. It’s not a holiday tree after all. "
I think it’s probably not anyone on this forum that “made” it a Christmas tree, since they’ve been around for awhile. Additionally, nothing about the Christmas tree is inherently Christian so much as something to put presents under. Unless you decorate it with angel ornaments and the star on top, it’s just a pretty tree. Anyways, the Rabbi withdrew his suit and the trees are going back up in Seattle, according to the news this morning.
That’s a good point.
{this is not directed at you slowguy}
On a side note, I see lot’s of Jewish owned businesses, primarily Jewelry stores and such, running Christmas Gift idea ads all the time…Matter of fact, bombarded with them. As far as all other religions and people that are offended, you are offended by Christmas and what is stands for, yet you don’t mind taking my Christmas Shopping Money…Just sayin.
If you’re going to talk-the-talk, then walk-the-walk.
I haven’t gone through the whole of the posts, but I think that many people aren’t actually offended, but rather claim that others will be/are offended. People saying that is just “offensive”, not that it is offensive to them.
Eric
I think tolerance, which was once one of our country’s greatest strengths, will ultimately be our downfall.
This country’s history is filled with intolerance, both on an individual and official basis.
“the people that filed the suit were offended by the content in the church, crosses, anti abortion stuff etc etc.”
I wouldn’t be offended if I had to vote in a church. I think I may have done it at one point many years ago. The stuff in a church wouldn’t bother me either as long as it’s legal within electioneering laws.
I’m also not offended by Christmas decorations in public/government facilities. What’s offensive is the lack of reciprocal decorations for all other beliefs.
“When I am travelling, I am willing to exchange my money for other money even though it doesn’t have “In God we Trust on it” something that non-religious people here have a hard time with.”
Again you miss the point in the money debate. Would you accept money that had the words “There Is No God To Trust” on it?
“What’s offensive is the lack of reciprocal decorations for all other beliefs.”
This quote intrigues me. I completely agree that everyone should have there chance. What I’m wondering is why other religions don’t put up “decorations”? It is my understandint that in the Jewish faith, Hanukah isn’t exactly one of the high holidays. Maybe that’s why it seems under-represented. And, since it falls roughly during the Christian Christmas, maybe the connection is too closely made.
I’m guessing that many of the holidays of other religions don’t come with the fanfare that Christmas does.
So, having said that, what other religions have high holidays, that they’re missing representation for?