Would religious and non religious separation help anything?

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   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   Would religious and non religious separation help anything?
   
   Such as having towns for religious people where they can have God taught in schools and keep their beliefs. Also letting them keep their own laws on abortion, gay marriage, and other social issues. Then having towns where there is zero religious affiliation and more liberal living. Would this make both sides happier? Or would we still find things to complain about. It seems to some extent this would limit both sides from pushing their agendas onto the opposite group.

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   Onusonusposted 10 years ago

   You mean segregation? Because that never ends well.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I meant optional segregation where neither can enforce anything on the other group. Realistically we are segregated now, just in a different way.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Onusonus,  love your comment

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   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Religious people can go to private schools and have prayer in schools. They can also keep their beliefs wherever they are so I don't think segregation is the answer. I think religious people, most of them, don't mind blending into modern society even if they disagree with some of it.  They recognize, as mature people, that the world doesn't always function the way we think it should, but they make the best of it.
   
   I think segregation, tempting though it may be at times with some people, is not a solution - it's just kicking the can down the road so to speak. Eventually, we will have to evolve and learn to live with one another and work together, and for the most part - most reasonable people can and do.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      ++++++++, EXCELLENT answer.  We have to evolve beyond these artificial barriers so to speak.  WE are ALL ONE.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i agree completely that most reasonable people can and do live with one another. its only the smaller percentage on either side that seems to make the headline. no need to take drastic measures due to a few bad apples as they say.

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   CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years ago

   LOL, I thought you were speaking of separation on HubPages!  Now I'm getting religious ads showing up on my pages for answering some questions on religious topics.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Crafty, LOL!

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   Paul K Francisposted 10 years ago

   I think that any kind of separation would probably lead to more serious problems including differences within the groups which would lead to further separations and so on, and there will always be someone who wants to be boss. People sometimes change their minds concerning these matters and they may not want to move, and individuals within a family may not be on the same page. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we are the same species and have many more things in common than we have differences like the desire for freedom; freedom of choice and movement. In other words: why can't we just get along! Have a nice day.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      LOL. I was trying to basically make that point and couldnt quite get it out. well said

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   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   I think things should stay the way they are. While there debates and fights about religion or the absence of religion, I think the mixing and mingling makes life more interesting.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It certainly does, it helps us see the other's perspective.

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      christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      youre right about that. i know just about every time i debate, i actually learn a lot either from the other person directly or because im forced to do some research.

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   christiananrkistposted 10 years ago

   interesting question. I think people will still find things to complain about though. If we segregate atheists and religious, then we also will have to segregate all the different religious beliefs, hunters from vegans, and who knows what else. I think the better solution would be to live peacefully together, accepting each other for who we are, and not forcing either side to violate their beliefs. Because of conflicting views, we will never agree on everything, but it isnt difficult to tolerate each other. After all dont we all have conflicting views with family members and are still able to live in the same house?

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   delleaposted 10 years ago

   Hmm, your question seems to have a Nazi-like slant to it.... sounds an awful lot like concentration camps to me. I'd like to see how long your "atheist-only" towns would survive... it would probably be much like the Romans watching Christians getting devoured by lions in their colosseums... and wouldn't that be ironic? Can I hear you saying "Hail Nero"?

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sorry you failed to read the comments where I specifically stated optional!

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   jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years ago

   I suggest we look at the psychology behind our differences in beliefs and understandings.   
   Instead of viewing these differences as a human "aberration," maybe if we see them as coming from a primeval genetic reaction to anything that is different and that we are unfamiliar with.
   To have a religious faith, to feel convinced about all it teaches, then to live amongst others who have similar convictions, helps us to feel safe and secure.   "Safety in a crowd" is one aspect of it.  Even just walking into a church or meeting hall each week and meeting people we know, who have the same opinions as our self, can be a very comforting activity.   
   "Birds of a feather flock together" is another expression.  This gives rise to the comfort-zone boost in any one of us, regardless of the focus of the group we are joining.   
   If I suggest to a deeply convinced christian person that he/she question something of their belief, this is a threatening gesture.   It can imply that one has to break with treasured understanding and habitual points of view.   This has nothing to do with the perceived facts of the belief system.  It's more to do with the personal ownership of the beliefs.... a sort of insult.
   "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me..."  Not true!  the wrong words can be devastating and give rise to a barrage of defensive behaviour.
   Is it defensive behaviour such as this which we feel coming from us atheists as well as the christian people?   
   Understanding our selves can be the very first step in understanding and accepting our neighbour.  From this can come solutions.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Jonny, love your comment on my comment.  Very cute!

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    JThomp42posted 10 years ago

    No. I may not agree with certain people's views, but they are entitled to them as much as I to mine. Separation of church and state is already in effect. Saying this, I do not think either side can actually say that they are happy with the things that transpire in our country. Christian, atheist, etc. Are all still Americans and we must unite under that front. We are all Americans.

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       gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS a multillion percent!

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    Billie Kelpinposted 10 years ago

    Then what would be the fun of it?  Seriously, I think you're getting to the fact that there is a strong undertone of pomposity and "humble arrogance" that permeates the Christian community at this time in history. It wasn't always that way!  Not at all.  In the 50s, kids going to Catholic school had that kind of elitist attitude.  There's the old joke of Protestants going to heaven being greeted at the gate by St. Peter who gives him a tour of all the mansions.  Some are gold, some are silver.  All are beautiful.  But when he comes to one area, it has a huge brick wall and St. Peter tells the Protestants they have to tiptoe past.  When they get past that mansion, a woman raises her hand and asks, "But St. Peter, why did we have to tiptoe past that mansion."  St. Peter answers in a whisper, "Because that's where all the Catholics live and they think they're the only ones here."  (As a former Catholic, I'm allowed to tell that joke and not be considered offensive since those were my people and I'm saying it about ourselves.).

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       ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I've heard that joke before too, but in the version I heard it was evangelicals who though they were the only ones there lol.

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       jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       At least your sense of humour is "saved," Billie!

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       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Christin, "Amen" and that's precisely the point.  You are my little sister from another mother.

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       christiananrkistposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       LOL. no need for the disclaimer. thats funny.

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    Deepes Mindposted 10 years ago

    I think that religious and non religious separation would actually have the same effect on the country that racial segregation had. Basically, the whole "separation but equal" principle was everything EXCEPT equal. There would still be problems because there are people on both sides that also have their own ideas on abortion, gay marriage, and other social issues. Once we separate the religious from the non religious, we will then separate the pro choice and pro lifers. As well as wanting to separate the supporters of Gay marriage from the opposers.. annd so on and so forth.. Next thing we know, each city in the country will be it's own little country with its own laws and there will be so much more of a civil war than the original one between the pro slavery and anti slavery.. The only thing that will help unite us is talking more TO each other instead of AT or ABOUT each other as well as seeking to understand each other before trying to be understood

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    lone77starposted 10 years ago

    Peeples, a most creative question and nicely thought-provoking.
    
    I'm afraid that ego would find a way to make a mess of things. Ego is entirely creative and crafty at finding ways to complain and muck up "perfect" solutions.
    
    Civilization is a rescue mission. Immortal spirit needs to wake up, but it cannot without some help. Those who don't feel their own spiritual nature have a harder time with this than others. Many, though, follow religion out of habit or ego -- belonging so strokes the ego.

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