and to DVSentinel too:
Having been raised and educated Roman Catholic, I am not offended by religiosity or religion. My sister and mother still practice it, though I do not. No, I'm not offended by it in the least. I am able to shake the hands of the religious and wish them all the best, and mean it.
I just wish they would keep it in the church and out of the statehouse and politics. But I wish I would win the Lottery too, so I'm well aware that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
I acknowledge the God Thing, but I've been influenced by the eastern religions and think that we are all God.
God before Country? I suppose that's OK, but the trouble comes up with so damn many different ideas of who is God, what is God, etc.
I'm old fashioned and think that our military should be properly used to defend this country. Quasi religious wars with a decidedly religious overtone, reminiscent of the Crusades, is not my idea of defending this country.
So, discussion wise we're way off topic and have opened a can of worms, but I appreciate the feedback.
eace