Sauceistan:
My apologies Roman. I felt I was a little harsh and put much of the blame on you in my first post. However, I feel as though you are just hurting everyone, but mostly yourself. Yes, 15 nations voted against the bill. But how many of them sympathize with you now? 3? How many do you think it's going to be in two weeks?
I know I'm still fairly new, but it seems as though you've done great things for this region. You feel very passionately about this issue and you have made some great points. But are you going to destroy what you have done in TNP over one silly bill? (That's right. Silly bill.)
I understand this isn't about you, but it appears as if both sides are repeating themselves (including what I just said) in a meaner and louder way each time. I don't want this to divide the region.
Now that I'm done, I would like to say I like what Grosse brought to the table. I think opening up the possibility of multiple state religions could ease the tension.
Sometimes one has to stand one's ground and not compromise one's principles no matter what the cost. The problem is that anyone with any kind of foresight could see a problem with a State Religion in a region that has always prided itself on individual liberties. Such laws are the beginning of a slippery slope in which deterioration of the region is the inevitable result. Such a law was assured of causing problems. What if it had be an Official State Political Party that was recognized as THE Official Political Party of the region named in the Legal Code? Would anyone have ever voted for something like that?
This law was a total violation of the cardinal rule of never mixing religion with politics and law. Anyone who creates such a law that names an Official State Religion either lacks foresight of any kind or is looking for trouble when the law clearly gives preference to one religion over all other religions. As such, to give official legal preference and superiority to one religion is to denigrate and make subservient all other religions. That is an act of unequal treatment of equals.
Grosseschauzer's compromise version of the proposal of this thread is a good compromise. Although I do not like any specific religion being even mentioned in any law for obvious reasons, the compromise opens up the recognition of religions by name without the chance of any religion becoming an arm of the state or a 4th estate of government.
punk d:
I voted against this proposal. I don't feel the region needs a state religion. However, as with everything I respect the decision of the RA and most of the RA voted for this.
I would support any proposal to repeal any region sanctioned religion. I believe the current law allows for multiple religions, but I would prefer not sanctioning one above another.
OOC: I've got opinions but those will not be expressed here. They would just contribute to the sideshow.
I agree with your post, but with one tiny exception - what happens when the 'will' of the RA passes a law that creates an inequality? That is when the Constitution is supposed to put the brakes on democracy so that the rights of individuals are not compromised.
Also, when the current law promotes and recognizes any religion as THE religion, it is legalised inequality and implies that no other religions have any kind of equality with the State Religion. Ideally, I would like the whole State Religion law completely struck, but Grosse's compromise proposal removes the inequality and bias towards a specific religion over other religions.
And that is why I and a number of people are in support of Grosse's proposal to settle this issue.
I and those who support the contention that an Official State Religion are being flexible in this matter. It's time to see if the other side is willing to compromise or if they want this morality play to continue
ad infinitum.