>I suspect I have been on public forums as long as you have, if not longer. (Since ~1993). And one thing I learned a long time ago is that some discussions become absolutely unproductive, just the same grenades being tossed back and forth. What is the point in that? No one is being convinced or enlightened. No one is changing their mind one iota. This strikes me as such a discussion, and that is why I decided to leave it.
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>That said, I will respond to your "request" (which still sounds like an order the second time around -- not appreciated). You, Sam, and Tracy have all essentially said the same thing to me. I respect all three of you, even though in at least two cases we don't have much common ground politically. This will be my last opinion in this thread, OK? No more hectoring?
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>It was not my intention to say the things described in the BBC story are happening in the U.S. in a literal sense. We do not put people on trial or threaten them with death for not adhering to the dominant religion. My point was that committed Christian forces in the U.S. are trying to completely erase the line between church and state, and that they grow bolder all the time. But it was reasonable of all of you to take me in a more literal sense. For that I apologize.
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>See you in other threads.

And I in turn will apologize for the tone of my post. It was not meant to be an order. I too am concerned about the influence of the religious Right, believe it or not, but I have faith that the American people will not allow anything remotely close to a theocracy take over.

Peace.