MennoNet.com

https://amp.freep.com/amp/6288652001

Given the trends away from God in this country, how does the following possibilities favorably and unfavorably compare for us as a separated people in this country?
What changes might be in store for us decades down the road with these options?

- Muslim government (assuming for the next 40 years it is a moderate form of Islam.)
- Atheistic / LGBTQIA2+ (apparently letters were too confining, so they’re taking numbers and symbols now.) / Secular / Far left government
- Trump brand government (for sake of this thread, assume traditional conservatives is dead. Or if you prefer, RINOs. Specifically what I’m trying to capture, is the decline of the Moral Majority & evangelical power. However you want to term that.)

I'm not sure why this is any more notable than a city council that is all Christian or all Jewish.

Are they proposing any sort of city policies that you find objectionable on a religious or political basis?

In any event, I expect vast stretches of America will continue to be run primarily by Christian conservative types. In fact, much of rural America and red states. I don't see any of that changing anytime soon.

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:08 pm I'm not sure why this is any more notable than a city council that is all Christian or all Jewish.

Are they proposing any sort of city policies that you find objectionable on a religious or political basis?

Why does the Detroit Press and CNN find it any more notable?

RZehr wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:09 pm

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:08 pm I'm not sure why this is any more notable than a city council that is all Christian or all Jewish.

Are they proposing any sort of city policies that you find objectionable on a religious or political basis?

Why does the Detroit Press and CNN find it any more notable?

I supposed it is newsworthy in that it is something new.

But other than the novelty factor, I'm asking what you think it actually means in terms of governance. Do you think Muslim city council members are going to take the city government in a different and worse direction because of their faith? When it comes to things like management of fire and police services, property tax administration, road repairs, and all the other municipal issues they will be dealing with.

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:15 pm

RZehr wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:09 pm

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:08 pm I'm not sure why this is any more notable than a city council that is all Christian or all Jewish.

Are they proposing any sort of city policies that you find objectionable on a religious or political basis?

Why does the Detroit Press and CNN find it any more notable?

I supposed it is newsworthy in that it is something new.

But other than the novelty factor, I'm asking what you think it actually means in terms of governance. Do you think Muslim city council members are going to take the city government in a different and worse direction because of their faith? When it comes to things like management of fire and police services, property tax administration, road repairs, and all the other municipal issues they will be dealing with.

Depends on the ethnic groups and religious sects involved. Elite Pakistani or Indian Muslims result in a vastly different society and government than, say, Somalis.

For example, you won’t have to deal with female circumcision with the former.

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:15 pm

RZehr wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:09 pm

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:08 pm I'm not sure why this is any more notable than a city council that is all Christian or all Jewish.

Are they proposing any sort of city policies that you find objectionable on a religious or political basis?

Why does the Detroit Press and CNN find it any more notable?

I supposed it is newsworthy in that it is something new.

But other than the novelty factor, I'm asking what you think it actually means in terms of governance. Do you think Muslim city council members are going to take the city government in a different and worse direction because of their faith? When it comes to things like management of fire and police services, property tax administration, road repairs, and all the other municipal issues they will be dealing with.

That is kind of the purpose of this thread. It is ignorant to think it wouldn’t make some difference. Just as the left puts rainbow flags and BLM everywhere. Has nothing to do with the mundane governmental duties. Grandstanding and values projecting are much more fun.

If none of this matters, if values and religion were able to be irrelevant, why do people in Portland not elect a Christian fundamentalist? After all, what difference does it make if a pothole is filled in, and the trash can is dumped by a Christian fundamentalist or an anarchist?
Why should it matter if the school board is filled with Communists or Nazis? What difference does it make?

Josh wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:25 pm

Ken wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:15 pm

RZehr wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:09 pm
Why does the Detroit Press and CNN find it any more notable?

I supposed it is newsworthy in that it is something new.

But other than the novelty factor, I'm asking what you think it actually means in terms of governance. Do you think Muslim city council members are going to take the city government in a different and worse direction because of their faith? When it comes to things like management of fire and police services, property tax administration, road repairs, and all the other municipal issues they will be dealing with.

Depends on the ethnic groups and religious sects involved. Elite Pakistani or Indian Muslims result in a vastly different society and government than, say, Somalis.

For example, you won’t have to deal with female circumcision with the former.

Michigan's Muslim population is not Pakistani or Somali. It is mostly Arab immigrants from countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, etc. Apparently the largest portion are Lebanese. At least according to census data.

RZehr wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 1:28 pm If none of this matters, if values and religion were able to be irrelevant, why do people in Portland not elect a Christian fundamentalist? After all, what difference does it make if a pothole is filled in, and the trash can is dumped by a Christian fundamentalist or an anarchist?
Why should it matter if the school board is filled with Communists or Nazis? What difference does it make?

I doubt it will make much difference when it comes to potholes, unless the countries they came from consider potholes a big deal or a minor inconvenience.

Schools is a different story. Textbooks and required education will vary some. In Mormon Utah, a majority of Protestant missionary children have been known to convert to Mormonism in some areas.

In Mormon Utah, churches other than Catholic ones can sometimes have trouble getting building permits if they are not on good terms with the local authorities.

If the government is run by Muslims, then Sharia Law will be the norm. If you are to investigate Muslim countries where Sharia is the norm, the infrastructure looks much different than here. I ideas of potholes is not relevant or policing or even hospitals. As you move away from conservative, Judeo/Christian ethics, you also move away from a caring society, generally speaking.

gcdonner wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 4:03 pm If the government is run by Muslims, then Sharia Law will be the norm. If you are to investigate Muslim countries where Sharia is the norm, the infrastructure looks much different than here. I ideas of potholes is not relevant or policing or even hospitals. As you move away from conservative, Judeo/Christian ethics, you also move away from a caring society, generally speaking.

There is a difference between rule by clerics, as is the case in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and now Afghanistan. And rule by ordinary secular people who are doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, etc. and just happen to be Muslim.