No open society-No democracy!

Submitted by Dan L. Nichols (United States), Jul 22, 2004 at 13:55

The comment that the USA is not a true democracy is correct. I must also add that our government is constantly plagued by interference by religious oriented citizens with their own adgendas . Our First Ammendment was constructed to clearly draw a "line in the sand" between the religious and secular. Many Americans seem to try to read between the lines and come up with unique interpetations.
I, as a freethinker, want and demand all opinions on issues. That includes those promoting unpopular beliefs, doctrines, programs and philosophies. That can only happen in a open society. Once you have it, plan on a constant battle to keep it. We now have a president who wishes to tamper with our constitution in order to eliminate rights for some groups. I wish it were otherwise but I feel that islam is the worst candidate for conversion to a open society. No openness..no democracy.

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