Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-174.22.192.132-20161104024309/@comment-30079501-20161208212914

Rocket Engineer wrote: Lets try this again, minus the insane formatting screwup.

Actually, I'm pointing out that it's rather difficult to objectively verify that an atheist hasn't taken their moral code from a variety of religions, due to the fact that over their life, they were probably exposed to many religions and their teachings.

Politics and religion are and have been entwined for centuries. Religion influences the politicians and judges who make laws and enforce them. In addition, religion provides something that very few other things can provide: a coercive force which encourages politicians to act in the best interests of the people. If you believe that not doing so will result in eternal punishment, you would be a bit less likely to abuse your power. And the final reason is one which is, as you've pointed out, is pure speculation and opinion, and its that religion provides a moral backbone for the government.

As for the Constitution being a work of politics and religion, some sources for the ideas present in the Constitution were religious in origin, in addition to the ideas provided by John Locke and others. George Washington said "The adoption of the Constitution will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any event in the course of human affairs can designate it", one of the many statements by the founding fathers expressing their belief that God enabled the Constitution to come to be.

There, thats better. Here's an interesting litle addendum that ties into this discussion on multiple levels.