5 replies to this topic

[Joe Bloe]

Early in the reign of Protestant Queen Elizabeth I, the English Parliament introduced The Act of Uniformity which included the Recusancy Laws that were initially aimed at the Catholics but eventually applied to all citizens. By this Act, Elizabeth I made it a legal obligation to attend church every Sunday and those who refused were fined one-shilling, which was about a weeks wages for a servant or farmhand.

(Wiki Source)


Throughout the 17th Century the Recusancy Laws got tougher and tougher:

• 1593, recusants restricted to within five miles of their homes.
• 1605, convicted recusants forced to receive Anglican communion once per year or pay a fine
• 1605, recusants barred from office and professions.
• 1678, recusants barred from parliament.
• 1692, recusants incur double land tax.
• 1699, recusants barred from purchasing or inheriting land.

But of course we are way beyond that sort of thing today. There is not a civilized person anywhere in the world who would call for a reintroduction of the Recusancy Laws and force people to attend Church every Sunday - or is there?

[Ungodly]

Your first premise seems correct. I agree that there is not a civilized person who would so act.

[Great Ape]

Your first premise seems correct. I agree that there is not a civilized person who would so act.

lol

Bryan Fischer is a raving maniac for Jesus. Fischer's controversial comments on racial and ethnic minorities were cited by the Southern Poverty Law Center in explaining the hate group designation they gave to the American Family Association in November 2010.

The only thing that comes out of Mr. Fischer's mouth is hate.

In the video, Fischer is saying that people who have an active spiritual life are healthier and happier. Therefore, there should be an individual mandate from the government, that everyone has to attend church. Because church is good for their health and well being. Those who refuse to attend church should be taxed (penalized). Of course the fool only says atheists should be penalized, not being smart enough to understand that there are lots of theists who don't attend church. Actually, Fischer probably does know that but being the hateful asshole he is, he is purposefully singling out atheists.

He then goes on to mention Obamacare. "Because after all", Fischer says, "Obamacare is all about improving the health of the American people." He is saying the government should mandate church attendance to attack Obamacare and the health care mandate. A stupid comparison. But no one ever said Bryan Fischer was the smartest tool in the shed.

I have no doubt if religious nut jobs like Bryan Fischer had their way, Church attendance in this country would be mandatory.

Edited by Great Ape, 04 August 2012 - 09:11 AM.

[Great Ape]

Throughout the 17th Century the Recusancy Laws got tougher and tougher:

• 1593, recusants restricted to within five miles of their homes.
• 1605, convicted recusants forced to receive Anglican communion once per year or pay a fine
• 1605, recusants barred from office and professions.
• 1678, recusants barred from parliament.
• 1692, recusants incur double land tax.
• 1699, recusants barred from purchasing or inheriting land.

It's scary when laws are created to force people to conform to religion. This is what happens when you mix church and state. The religious get special treatment and the non-religious are persecuted.

[Joe Bloe]

It's scary when laws are created to force people to conform to religion. This is what happens when you mix church and state. The religious get special treatment and the non-religious are persecuted.

It doesn't take long once they get a foot in the door.

312 Emperor Constantine became interested in Christianity
319 Christian clergy excused from taxes and army service
355 Clergy exempted from trial by secular courts
380 Emperor Theodosius declares non-Chrisitians to be demented and insane
385 Priscillian was the first heretic sentenced to death - the official charge was practising magic
392 Pagan worship declared to be a criminal activity
393 Olympic Games banned
410 Emperor Honorius decrees that non-Christians can be sent into exile
435 Death penalty for heretics

No wonder the current crop of fundies are longing for 'the good old days'. They are praying for the day they can wield that sort of power again.

[Ungodly]

No wonder the current crop of fundies are longing for 'the good old days'. They are praying for the day they can wield that sort of power again.

Praise Jeebus!