Religion and astrology are actually closely related. The 3 wise men, who followed the star of Bethlehem, were astrologers. Science has replaced astrology with astronomy, although many still believe in astrology (including some Christians) and creationism has been replaced by evolution. Although some people still cling to the imagined supernatural, creationism will die a natural death when science evolves, just like the Flat Earth Society did. Actually there is still a remnant left. (Check Wikipedia). FES was founded by an Englishman, named Samual Shenton in 1956. Later led by Charles K. Johnson, and was based in Lancaster, California. The society became inactive after Johnson's death, but was resurrected (I didn't realize that. I thought it was totally gone) in 2004 by its new president Daniel Shelton. The ideas of the Society are widely viewed by accomplished scientist as Pseudoscientific, just like creationism is. I guess that Daniel Shenton realized that there is money to be made by exploiting the gullible, same as with creationist' s book writers and publishers. Mega churches also are in the business of raising BIG money and are exempt from income tax while the churches invoke the Bible to encourage their members to contribute 10% of their income (Tithe). These contributions do also lower the income tax for the contributor. Churches do use the roads, use Fire and Police and all other public services and should therefor not be tax exempt. No wonder the leaders of those churches are promoting religion because not only can they gather a lot of tax free money as well have an extraordinary influence on the political process without having to be elected.
As for those Church Leaders who are found of saying that The USA was ”founded” on Christian Principles, when trying to impose their “morals” upon he rest of the population, I am quoting the founders, who advocated the separation of Church and State.
John Adams said, in the Treaty of Tripoli, “The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion.” He also said, “It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.”
James Madison said, “Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.”
Thomas Jefferson said, “In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”
As for those Church Leaders who are found of saying that The USA was ”founded” on Christian Principles, when trying to impose their “morals” upon he rest of the population, I am quoting the founders, who advocated the separation of Church and State.
John Adams said, in the Treaty of Tripoli, “The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion.” He also said, “It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.”
James Madison said, “Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.”
Thomas Jefferson said, “In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”
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