We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.

... I strongly believe in making moral decisions which ...

January 27,2004

While I disagree, I strongly believe in making moral decisions which have as their basis my religion

... I object to the implication that one doesn't have ...

January 27,2004

Belonging to no organized church or religion, I object to the implication that one doesn't have religious beliefs if one doesn't belong to a particular sect. Organizing religion only results in hatred and conflict. Your question is unfairly stated.

... I do not believe in escapist fantasies of another ...

January 27,2004

I believe in cause and effect. I do not believe in escapist fantasies of another world that solves all earthly problems. The religious Right is essentially afraid to entertain that thought - that religion is just a construct designed to control the economic life of the people. Ask yourself: just how wealthy is the Vatican? or Pat Robertson for that matter? If you can still say that it's not about the money after truly investigating the answer to that question, "god bless you" as they say, you're going to need whatever help you can get.

... faith is intellectual laziness ...

January 27,2004

Sorry, but faith is intellectual laziness.

... government has left the restraints of the constitu ...

January 27,2004

The founding fathers agreed that "they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights". They knew that these rights derive from God, but they did not agree as to the nature of God. The establishment clause does not take religion out of government, but merely precludes government from supporting any particular religious establishment.
The idea recently presented that atheism may be a religion is ludicrous. It must take a great deal of faith to believe there is nothing greater than yourself but as religion is the service and worship of God or the supernatural, it requires a belief in a God.

Many of the issues that you bring up in this program sre only issues at all because government has left the restraints of the constitution and moved into areas that properly belong to the church. Welfare for example is not(should not be) a government concern. Where in the constitution does it give the government the right to take my money and give it to someone who needs it more than I do? On the other hand charity is a religious matter. We are encouraged to give to others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
If the federal government were not so involved in schools, where it does not belong, the question of prayer in school would never come up. People would know that they are free to practice their religion wherever they are because the constitution clearly says that congress shall not prohibit the free exercise of religion.
On the matter of same sex marriages: This is not a matter for any government to decide. Marriage has been between a man and a woman since Adam and Eve. Not just for people but for animals as well. The only interest that government has in marriage is protect the children that may result from the union. Same sex 'marriage' has only become an issue because of this countries poorly conceived tax laws that confer certain benefits to married couples.

... It is that kind of investment in religion that cre ...

January 27,2004

People who base their entire moral outlook on the teachings of their organized religions, holy books, or any one source, quite honestly, scare me.
It is that kind of investment in religion that creates holy wars, from the one we're having now in the middle east to the Crusades and Cromwell's bloody civil war in England.
Our forefathers had seen what being vested in religion could do to society. That's why they took religion out of play.
I get my moral teachings from only one idea, which I must admit includes the concept of God, but not organized, prosletizing religion. My mother taught me always to remember, "There, but for the grace of God go I." It's what helps me empathize with people in trouble, keeps me honest, etc. I always say, "How would I feel if I were that guy?" I don't need a church to tell me right from wrong and I pity those that do.

... My spirituality along with my morals is what I bas ...

January 27,2004

I consider myself spiritual but not religious. My spirituality along with my morals is what I base my morals on, not a religion or a church.

... It's time to put people before god. ...

January 27,2004

It's time to put people before god.

... Why would anyone think they could do a better job ...

January 27,2004

Why wouldn't anyone want to base their life's decisions on the Truth? It is by the grace and wisdom of God that we all can come to know truth, love, and happiness. Why would anyone think they could do a better job than Almighty God Himself, at figuring out how His children whom He loves so much, should live our lives?

... being true to my and others humanity ...

January 27,2004

Ethics, being true to my and others humanity, is what guides me.

... Holy Spirit. ...

January 27,2004

Yes Jesus Christ Is Alive and in charge,THROUGH the Father,Son,& Holy Spirit.

... being true to my and others humanity is what guide ...

January 27,2004

Ethics, being true to my and others humanity, is what guides me.

... it's a shame more people don't turn to Him ...

January 27,2004

God's Word says "It is not in a man to know which way to go". I agree with that because for 30 years I didn't know where I was going. God gives you so much in the way of direction for your life, and peace,and understanding, it's a shame more people don't turn to Him.

... I am so very tired of religious people trying to f ...

January 27,2004

I am a very spiritual individual, but I shun religion for its man-made basis and interpretations. I am so very tired of religious people trying to force their beliefs on me and everyone else. I understand the belief that one's religion demands evangelizing; however, not every religion practices that either! To get locked into a certain brand and close one's mind to any other possibilities dooms one to stagnation. I know the religious feel that concentration in their belief helps them grow, but only in their own tunnel of their own religion. What happens if they are wrong? Jim Jones to us now may look obvious; however, to those caught up in the passion of his religion, that was the exact right way. I certainly hope there is more out there than what meets the eye. Why are there so many different religions if only one can be right?

... Non-believers are perhaps the only group that it i ...

January 27,2004

Religion has no role in my life, yet I am often fearful to publicly admit that fact.

Non-believers are perhaps the only group that it is perfectly acceptable to hate in America.

Following the September 11th attacks, politicians and the media were falling all over themselves to praise Islam and defend the peaceful practitioners of that religion.

Following Michael Newdow's suit regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, he (as is always the case in these situations) received death threats.

Every single person who has brought a suit against such an issue as the Pledge or school prayer has been harassed and threatened by "good Christians."

I received an e-mail saying something to the effect that "86 percent of Americans believe in God...we should tell the other 14 percent to sit down and shut up."

No one in polite society would ever tell a member of a minority group (Jewish or African Americans, for example) that they should "sit down and shut up."


Non-believers are effectively pariahs in America today, and that is a terrible thought.

... It never says that the church should stay out of t ...

January 27,2004

The Christian religion and morals do go together. Most of the morals that the founding fathers followed came from a stong foundation in the Christian religion. Even some of those who did not believe in Christianity had read the Bible and used it as a foundation for many of their moral beliefs. The Constitution only says that "Congress shall make no rule respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It never says that the church should stay out of the government, only that the government should stay out of the church.

... We can learn from each other no matter how differe ...

January 27,2004

Religion does play a major role in my life decisions but my relationship with Christ is the biggest factor. Christ wanted us to love even those who do not love us, that is what America is about. Respecting people from all walks of life. We can learn from each other no matter how different our beliefs are. I have very close friends who are, Athiest, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Baptist, Catholic, and Evangelical. We know we have different beliefs but we hug and kiss each other and are there for each other. We even pray for each other. People should not be afraid of Religion, they should be afraid of disunity in our nation.

... leave thinking people, like myself, to continue wi ...

January 27,2004

I don't care how other people make the decisions in their lives. What I don't understand is, why people can't live their lives by their religious beliefs and leave thinking people, like myself, to continue with the evolution of human race.

... To say it has no bearing on your life is to deny H ...

January 27,2004

I find guidance from the trinity. And our country was founded on the belief in Jesus. To say it has no bearing on your life is to deny Him and sentence yourself to eternal damnasion.

... I don't neeed the state to tell me when to invoke ...

January 27,2004

I believe religion is a very private matter between me and my god. I don't neeed the state to tell me when to invoke god's guidance.