In posts, I have been critical of religion. While I detest religion, I do respect those who have faith and believe in something. While I may disagree with them, if they are kind, compassionate and loving, I have no issue with that.

What I do take issue with is religion. Beliefs that cause someone to hate and hurt those who disagree with them. Those who use “church” or a “belief system” to control and keep others in bondage.

While in Europe, I have looked at some of the catholic cathedrals. While they are beautiful, I can’t help but think of the many years of the dark ages that they murdered those who disagreed with them.

There are those today that are so passionate about their religion, that if it where legal would kill those who disagree.

I truly detest self-righteous and religious people. Yes, as some would point out, I have been hurt by them. Every person who has wronged me in life is religious.

However, I have to admit that some of the kindest and humblest people I know have a faith. I guess that’s why I make a difference in my mind. Because a true faith in someone higher than us should make us better, not worse (as religion does).

What has happened in our country? Is there really any hope?

We have congressmen and senators passing legislation making laws that violates the document that gives them the authority to legislate.

We have judges making decisions on what they think, rather than justice and the law. We have right-wing judges removing peoples freedoms and left-wing judges violating other people’s freedom.

We have judges refusing people the right to trials and imposing impossible, life altering decisions that are grossly unjust, and illegal.

We have judges pushing their own agendas ahead of what is just, right or legal.

We are trying to pass constitutional amendments against those people whom we disagree with.

As our freedoms slowly slip away, we are fighting among ourselves, and trying to remove rights of each other.

If the left does not want the right to legislate and rule where they have not right to, the the right must stop trying to.

The moment we start legislating some-one’s personal freedoms, the when we have our own legislated.

We should not legislate anything that does not harm another person.

For example, if we are to outlaw gays, then who’s next? Does it bother some people, sure - but the fact it they are not hurting anyone else.

And yes, I’ve heard the whole thing that they hurt little boys. The fact is, that is not because they are gay, it’s because they are perverts.

My ex wrote in her journal that she was afraid for her little brother to be around her dad just because he is gay. Well, I think that you can’t judge someone on that.

However, in the case of her step-dad, it’s not a matter of being gay. It’s a matter of being sick in the mind and a pervert. His perversion is not just kids, it’s anyone. From his own children to his his step-daughter, to his grandchildren and his students - or those he meets online. Though the guy is married, and claims to be a “man of God”, he finds every way to be a total pervert.

Because of him, it was really hard for me to understand gays point of view until I was able to set and talk with a gay gentleman one day. I told him about the perversion in the life of my ex’s step-dad and he was infuriated. As he explained, perverts are everywhere.

Then we have children who’s rights are systematically denied and trampled upon. Their lives are destroyed and they are treated as a case number by the courts.

As an example, my little sister left home because her “dad” is much like my ex, religiously, mentally, physically, and sexually abusive. They (my ex and former dad) have the same brain-type and will stop at nothing, even destroying the lives of their own children in the name of God.

The courts sit by and do nothing for my children or my little sister. My son being in the ER four times, sexually assaulted, or my 16 year-old sister crying for help because of mental and physical abuse falls on the deaf ears of courts and “child services.”

I could go on, everywhere I look I see injustice. By the religious right and the fascist left.

It’s been hard for me to come to this place, because truthfully, it’s nice when you agree with the idea being legislated. For example, I’d love to outlaw smoking. I think it’s dirty and gross to do in public. However, that would violate the rights of someone else, and we should not cross that line.

I remember a few years back when I believe it was Howard Philips said that if he were elected president he would push for legislation forcing people to close on Sunday. Everyone thought, oh how wonderful, he wants to return to “christian principles.” No - it’s not! It’s not any-one’s place to enforce such on someone else.

Then in the South, you have dry counties, or no drinking on Sunday, which are clearly based on someone’s religion.

I like the quote, “your freedom to move your arm stops at the other mans nose.”

The only laws we should have are those that directly impact other people. We should not be legislating preferences and beliefs. And judges should not be legislating nor should they be imposing their own ideas and value systems on others.

I feel a great sense of sadness for our country. Much of this is brought on by local politics where close to 10,000 or more people per year are systematically abused and sentenced without legal precedence, backing, justification, or trial.

If we want our freedom, we are going to have to grow up, stop fighting, stop pushing our own agendas and beliefs on everyone else, and realize that to guarantee freedom, we have to give it to all, not just those who we agree with.

We are going to have to realize that both the left and the right wish to take our freedoms and impose thier ideas on us.