A post from Three Jews, Four Opinions makes some interesting points. Mostly it asks the question that while Jewish law clearly forbids homosexuality, does that mean that Jews should vote to ban homosexual marriage in California law? The overwhelming answer is no.

This gets to the heart of my frustration of Christian intolerance. While Jews have some very crazy religious laws, they don’t seek to codify any of those laws into civic statute. Christians, on the other hand, believe that if something is immoral it should be illegal. I’ve often been inclined to think that it’s the very nature of the religious to attempt to impose religion into government, but on further reflection, I think it’s just Christians. Muslims certainly do this in Islamic nations, but I’ve never seen an American Muslim make any real effort to include their crazy laws into American law.

And that right there is intolerance: a refusal to tolerate the differing beliefs, rights and practices of others. Why, if Jesus preached tolerance, are Christians such an intolerant lot?

The linked post above also basically makes the point that I’ve made all along: Government has no place in marriage.

3 responses to “Religious Law vs. Civic Law”

  1. Jonah Avatar

    Jesus didn’t preach tolerance. He preached love. He was very intolerant of hypocritical religious leaders.

    Matthew 10

    32″Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

    34″Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
    ” ‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
    a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
    36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]

    37″Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

    (a) Micah 7:6

  2. Berck Avatar
    Berck

    Jesus didn’t preach tolerance. He preached love. He was very intolerant of hypocritical religious leaders.

    What, like Ted Haggart?

  3. Nathan Avatar
    Nathan

    Be careful. It almost sounds like you have a hard time tolerating Christians.

    That, and your captchas suck.

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