Setanta Wrote:
Quote:When you reduce an argument to simple terms which are a false representation of the argument, you are exhibiting the fallacy of reduction to absurdity. That is what you have been doing here. You continue to avoid describing the point at which you no longer accept separation of chruch and state. You continue to avoid answering the question of how freedom from religion in any way infringes on your free exercise of religion. I submit that you attempt to construe this as a simple difference of preferences because you either cannot or will not answer those two questions. The positions are not equivalent.
Look Setanta. I have answered those questions. I told you I am for separation of church and state but would like some choices to be elective. I told you if you were to constrain me to my home and church only to practice my religion you are infringing on my rights. So, yes, I have answered your question numerous times.
Setanta Wrote:
Quote:Don't play stupid games--don't throw out questions to which you don't want answers. I base my vote on my best judgment and the laws which constitute the social contract.
Oh, more rules. No rehetorical questions because Setanta doesn't like it. And I also base my vote on my best judgment and blah, blah blah too.
Setanta Wrote:
Quote:Not necessarily--there are many things which i consider harmless which are illegal. There are many things which i consider harmful which are legal. I accept that condition, and my vote on any issue or for any office is conditioned by that understanding. If your vote is rendered on such a simplistic basis, you are doing your society a disservice.
Well, when I vote, I base my vote on what I think is the right thing to do and I don't think anyone can ask more of anyone else.
Setanta Wrote:
Quote:I wouldn't care if you did. I have nowhere complained of the basis upon which you vote--this is a strawman.
Hmmm. Guess I misunderstood you and others about how you and they don't like my decisions being made on the basis of my religion.
Setanta Wrote:
Quote:That's just as well, since you have never displayed in these fora the intellectual equipment necessary to understand the basis upon which i view the social contract and my part in it. Perhaps you find that statement offensive--i hope so, it was in retaliation for your snotty comment about whether in fact i do vote. You get out of such discussions what you put into them.
I don't find the statement offensive. I find you offensive. You seem to go out of your way to point out how much more intelligent you are than anyone else. And that was not meant as a snotty comment. Again, you put motives when there were none. I merely stated a fact. No intent behind it at all.
Setanta Wrote:
Quote:It's not hard to grasp that you are trying to wiggle out of a tight spot by reducing this argument to the absurd proposition that the imposition of religion in public is a preference equivalent to an objection to such imposition. However, this is not the case. This is the heart of your attempt to reduce this debate to an absurdity.
I am not trying to wiggle out of anything. I answer questions to the best of my ability and honestly. You just will not accept the fact that we are doing the same thing. So what? I know we are and so do many others. You want what you want and I want what I want. The only difference is I and others will admit it when you won't.
Is this a typo, or a Freudian slip???? 
