Oh God!

Please don't get me started. There are many more eloquent writers on the subject of religion. I'm just another angry atheist. Well maybe not angry, maybe disgusted is a better description. Religion and politics. Do I really want a president (or vice-president) who believes we should teach creationism (pardon me, now it's called 'intelligent design') in public school? And how about ending every speech with "god bless you and god bless the USA!" And once again it isn't just the Republicans who 'pander' to the religious - although they do seem to have a little better know how.

I may be misquoting Richard Dawkins, but I think it's apparently easier to be elected to public office in the USA if you're a Tennessee Serpent Handling Pentecostal than an Atheist. Somehow, an irrational belief in god makes you a better candidate - and that's god, not gods - if you believe in one it's okay, but more than one is blasphemy - almost as bad as none. And you'd better watch who you believe is this god's true prophet or son or whatever. I wonder who the general public would choose if it were a three way race between a Hindu, a Muslim, or, "god forbid", an Atheist!

I really don't want to offend any believers (well, maybe I don't mind offending some) - just can we keep religion out of the political arena? There are lots of wonderful people in the world who believe in some form of god or creator (some of my best friends...) but please, keep it to yourself! Sure, there are lots of unanswered questions in the universe and if you want to substitute the letters "god" for "x", fine. But do you have to give "x" all of those other attributes? And stop building giant corporate organizations in the name of religion.

And while I'm on the subject, somehow religions have tax-exempt status. A concept that has always bothered me. Apparently the argument is that they have historically had tax exemptions; that subjecting them to taxation would entangle government and religion; and finally, that they are of a class of organizations that perform charitable deeds for which the government would have to pay if they did not exist, therefore it's like a "break even" situation. Furthermore, they may speak all they want about political, social, and moral issues, but they must avoid statements about the individual candidates or else they will lose their tax exemption.

So, the Catholic Bishops in Arizona can tell their parishioners to vote for a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman without fear of taxation. And they can even tell them to support candidates who also hold this view - just don't name names - and still not be taxed. The church can espouse discrimination against homosexuals, it can support laws restricting a woman's rights on reproductive issues, and it can make blanket statements supporting candidates who affirm their views. And they can't be taxed and your contribution to this church is tax deductible. What a deal!

Once again, I could go on ranting against organized religion, but that will have to be some other time.