[MD] Theocracy, Secularism, and Democracy

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Platt]
Agree in principle. But, is helping the poor (welfare benefits) 
Christian law? Seems to be open to many interpretations.

[Arlo]
A good place to start is in whether or not the primary (or sole) 
justification is "because my god says so".

[P]
Yes, because in the Islam faith there is no separation between church 
and state. What "Christian law" do you have in mind?

[Arlo]
Where is there separation between church and state in the Christian 
faith? This is a historically recent enforcement of enlightenment secularism.

I have no particular laws in mind, only to say that laws based on the 
Christian faith are no better than laws based on the Islamic faith, 
if we really believe there should be a separation of church and state.

What about gay marriage, for example? Both Christians and Muslims 
seek to use the state to enforce their religious faith that its 
"immoral". Do you see a difference?

[P]
Not OK by me. I would vote to keep the Establishment Clause in our 
Constitution. Wouldn't you?

[Arlo]
Do you think it would be moral if a majority voted it out? Would you 
abide by that populist decree?

And, on what basis is the establishment clause rooted? I'd say 
"reason", would you disagree?

[P]
Again, my answer is the will of the people (who have varied 
motivations, experiences and moral compasses) limited by 
constitutional restrictions on government power. Is "reason" your 
answer? If so, whose reason?

[Arlo]
Do you think there is a moral barrier where the will of the people 
ends? On what basis is the constitutional restrictions you mention 
rooted? Just on the will of the people? Or on something above 
majority rule? And if not "reason", then what?