Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Nobody's perfect

There's a big difference between institutionalizing a belief system...
Mary Anne — (archived)

...and institutionalizing believers.

On the one hand, I'm a vigorous supporter of the First Amendment. As long as enough Americans keep our eye on the ball with regard to the Establishment Clause, we don't have to be overly concerned. Religious freedom, including a protection of the right to be free from religion, is one of the examples I'm proud of America for setting, even though it's not been perfect either.

When you talk about "correcting" religious people, I'm confident you don't mean involuntary hospitalization. I'm also confident that others might think this a dandy idea, along with a number of other coercive activities of which we have many examples in our history as a species. Usually used by one religious sect against another.

Religion opens a door to a higher state of consciousness that would stay closed any other way for some people. I would not nail that door closed because it makes other people uncomfortable. I would not force everyone to walk through it, either. This doesn't need to be a yes/no question.

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