Contradiction or not?

ppatt · 03-21-2008, 11:41 PM

Can the following two propositions be true or do they contradict one another?

The founders of the United States believed that churches should be protected and encouraged
The founders of the United States believed that the government should not assist or support churches

W.M.DEEEZ · 03-22-2008, 05:03 AM

Well, before my brain explodes....I'll resort to answering a question w/a question.

The founders of the United States believed that all men were created equal.

Well, except for those negroes.

And women.

Methinks you opened a can of worms.

Brainpolice · 03-22-2008, 06:20 AM

That depends on which particular founders are in queston. It also depends on what one means by "protected and encouraged". That could mean protection from persecution and protection of religious expression, or it could mean special privileges.

BleedingPinky · 03-22-2008, 06:44 AM

Protected and encouraged? You can do that without contradicting #2.
I think they call it laicism. Thing is every president that I think of attends to this or that church. You have to be a good christian if you want to run for the White House. A bunch of BS imo, but that´s the way it goes.

The_Heretic · 03-22-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppatt

Can the following two propositions be true or do they contradict one another?

The founders of the United States believed that churches should be protected and encouraged
The founders of the United States believed that the government should not assist or support churches

Depends on who does the protecting or ensouraging. However, the fact that churches are tax exempt is effectively supporting and assisting churches.

Malkavian · 03-22-2008, 10:59 AM

The term 'encouraged' implies a special interest imo, rather than equal protection under the law. Thus i vote contradiction. Of course, i base this on the assumption that churches should be 'protected and encouraged' by the state. That assumption in turn is based on the idea that if founders were talking about private initiatives, they wouldn't be talking about it in the first place - it's none of their business. And i think they believed that as well.

djack · 03-22-2008, 12:44 PM

Well the questions don't involve any individuals. So on their face they contradict each other.

neptune · 03-22-2008, 12:48 PM

I think both are true, and are what the founders had in mind. I'd include the choice to follow no religion in there too.

Ouroboros · 03-22-2008, 02:51 PM

My brain hurts.

Malkavian · 03-22-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptune

I think both are true, and are what the founders had in mind. I'd include the choice to follow no religion in there too.

Except if you follow no religion, you don't get a church...

View Poll Results: Are the two statements true or contractions?
Both statements are true	7	53.85%
The statements contradict one another	3	23.08%
I am not playing. It is a trick question	3	23.08%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

03-21-2008, 11:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
ppatt Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 362 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 11 Posts	Contradiction or not? Can the following two propositions be true or do they contradict one another? The founders of the United States believed that churches should be protected and encouraged The founders of the United States believed that the government should not assist or support churches
	Top

03-22-2008, 05:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
W.M.DEEEZ I don't exist either Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 6 Thanked 51 Times in 38 Posts	Hmmmmmmm Well, before my brain explodes....I'll resort to answering a question w/a question. The founders of the United States believed that all men were created equal. Well, except for those negroes. And women. Methinks you opened a can of worms. __________________ Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone
	Top

03-22-2008, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brainpolice Free Market Anarchist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Euclid, Ohio Posts: 378 My Mood: Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That depends on which particular founders are in queston. It also depends on what one means by "protected and encouraged". That could mean protection from persecution and protection of religious expression, or it could mean special privileges. __________________ http://mises.com/blogs/brainpolice/
	Top

03-22-2008, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
BleedingPinky Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sevilla Posts: 608 My Mood: Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Protected and encouraged? You can do that without contradicting #2. I think they call it laicism. Thing is every president that I think of attends to this or that church. You have to be a good christian if you want to run for the White House. A bunch of BS imo, but that´s the way it goes.
	Top

03-22-2008, 12:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
djack Chairman of the Bored Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,187 My Mood: Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Well the questions don't involve any individuals. So on their face they contradict each other. __________________ "Last words are for fools who haven't said enough." Karl Marx (last words)
	Top

03-22-2008, 12:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
neptune eighth stone from the sun Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,424 My Mood: Thanks: 90 Thanked 52 Times in 24 Posts	I think both are true, and are what the founders had in mind. I'd include the choice to follow no religion in there too. __________________ Holy Mudhead, mackerel! Morse Science High! It's....disappeared! -- Firesign Theatre
	Top

03-22-2008, 02:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ouroboros O Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,779 My Mood: Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	My brain hurts. __________________
	Top

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read