Individually taking responsibility
Patrick Hawkins
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: ViewPoint
Every time you give God credit for doing something in your life, what you are really doing is denying that you did it yourself or worse, that someone else was there for you.
This is a very impoverished way of viewing the world and people should face the fact that their lives and futures are in their own hands.
My advice to you all is to get over this childish idea that there is a parental figure watching over you. The sooner people admit the fact that each individual is responsible for what actions take place, the better off our entire society will be. Take the current repression of civil rights going on right now in the United States.
California is a battleground state, especially in social areas of politics. Money poured into the campaign for both sides of Proposition 8, but it helps to take a closer look at why and how people gave money.
For the side supporting equal rights, most of the funds were donated by individuals who believe in a cause. It is actually hard to think of something more noble than that. These are small business owners and hard working people without superstitions or tax breaks supporting them. Apple and Google also made donations, but they were no match for the Mormon Church, which has more expendable income than it knows what to do with.
People are pressured to give money to churches. I know many people who would disagree with that, but it is exactly what happens. For those religious people in disbelief right now, just imagine how quickly the gossip would start if you regularly started shaking your head "no" to people passing the offering plate.
Of course, the money is sheltered from taxes, which is a violation of our precious idea of separating church and state that would have Thomas Jefferson completely up in arms if he were alive to see it. Let's not lie to ourselves; any tax break means that the government is supporting something. All this is made possible because people are deluding themselves into thinking that God wants this to happen.
This is a very impoverished way of viewing the world and people should face the fact that their lives and futures are in their own hands.
My advice to you all is to get over this childish idea that there is a parental figure watching over you. The sooner people admit the fact that each individual is responsible for what actions take place, the better off our entire society will be. Take the current repression of civil rights going on right now in the United States.
California is a battleground state, especially in social areas of politics. Money poured into the campaign for both sides of Proposition 8, but it helps to take a closer look at why and how people gave money.
For the side supporting equal rights, most of the funds were donated by individuals who believe in a cause. It is actually hard to think of something more noble than that. These are small business owners and hard working people without superstitions or tax breaks supporting them. Apple and Google also made donations, but they were no match for the Mormon Church, which has more expendable income than it knows what to do with.
People are pressured to give money to churches. I know many people who would disagree with that, but it is exactly what happens. For those religious people in disbelief right now, just imagine how quickly the gossip would start if you regularly started shaking your head "no" to people passing the offering plate.
Of course, the money is sheltered from taxes, which is a violation of our precious idea of separating church and state that would have Thomas Jefferson completely up in arms if he were alive to see it. Let's not lie to ourselves; any tax break means that the government is supporting something. All this is made possible because people are deluding themselves into thinking that God wants this to happen.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Mike
posted 11/20/08 @ 7:17 AM CST
Another fine example of this "ME Society" we live in. Its all about me, me, me! I can do all things through Me which stregthens Me. Wait a minute, that's not
how it goes. (Continued…)
Mark Wilson
posted 11/20/08 @ 7:20 AM CST
I believe Mr. Hawkins is very sincere in his feelings and is proud to live in a country where he can think and speak what he wants as long as it does not encroach upon others' rights. (Continued…)
Marshall Buckles
posted 11/20/08 @ 11:19 AM CST
Patrick, I suggest that you take a history course about the old Soviet Union and one about Communist China and about North Korea. Take a trip, visit China, North Korea, Vietnam - especially North Korea. (Continued…)
Whitney Prater
posted 11/21/08 @ 2:46 PM CST
I would like to say that you CAN'T VOTE ON CIVIL RIGHTS!
Nikki Byrd
posted 11/22/08 @ 1:03 AM CST
Well, I say congrats to someone stepping up and writing something that has an opposing view of Christianity than the articles Whitney Harris has been writing, instead of just complaining that the East Tennessean keeps publishing religiously biased articles slanted towards Christianity. (Continued…)
Julia Cowart
posted 11/24/08 @ 6:37 PM CST
You are putting your faith in yourself. Where is the tolerance for people who believe differently and put their faith in a higher power?
The fact is that 70% more out-of-state donations came for No on 8 than Yes on 8, so nobody can accuse outsiders of having a disproportionate influence in favor of 8 (http://www. (Continued…)
RLMcDowell
Ronnie McDowell
posted 12/05/08 @ 9:29 PM CST
I honestly don't understand why some people find religion to be so objectionable. Really, why would you care whether or not someone else believes in God? I certainly don't care. (Continued…)
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