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Bill: Religious Change Act
Details
Submitted by[?]: Hosian Democrats
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: January 4347
Description[?]:
| Religion is a thing that we believe should be encouraged to all in our society. We propose to create a state religion that will be Hosianism to create stability in our society in political times such as this so that no matter what party may rise to power the people know that Eliyahu is watching over our nation and will protect us from hardships and corruption of those in power. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Government policy concerning religions.
Old value:: There is no government policy concerning a state religion.
Current: There is an official state religion, but membership is completely voluntary.
Proposed: There is an official state religion, but membership is completely voluntary.
Article 2
Proposal[?] to change Government policy concerning the visitation of foreign missionaries.
Old value:: Foreign missionaries are not permitted to enter the nation.
Current: The government requires foreign missionaries to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Proposed: Foreign missionaries are welcomed and encouraged by the government.
Article 3
Proposal[?] to change The government's policy with respect to prayer in schools.
Old value:: Teacher-led prayers in schools are forbidden, except in religious schools.
Current: The government leaves this decision up to the schools themselves.
Proposed: Teacher-led prayers in schools are encouraged.
Article 4
Proposal[?] to change
Taxation of religious institutions.
Old value:: Religions are treated as companies, and all profit is taxed, however, charitable donations are not taxed.
Current: Religions are treated as companies, and all profit is taxed, however, charitable donations are not taxed.
Proposed: No religions are taxed.
Article 5
Proposal[?] to change The governments stance on religious schools.
Old value:: Religious schools are allowed, but are strictly regulated. Only recognised religions may set up religious schools.
Current: Any religion may set up a school, but they are strictly regulated.
Proposed: Any religion may set up a school, with no regulations.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 22:43:38, February 09, 2018 CET | From |   Scientian Enclave | To | Debating the Religious Change Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, We don't mean to interfere with issues not directly related to us, but what exactly can Eliyahu protect us from or really do for us? Not to be rude, but the person has been dead for quite a while and the time they spent alive apparently wasn't particularly helpful. I mean, why couldn't God's prophet provide us with a few technical documents, like how to produce a simple water purification kit or better yet what plants and herbs could help us fight disease? Like let's be honest here, the idea of murder being wrong is pretty obvious, mathematical formulas not so much. You'd think an omnipotent being, especially a benevolent one would provide more useful data to work with. Instead all we got was a bunch of stories, albeit occasionally poetic ones. This begs the question. Why do we need religion at all? It's never cured a disease, invented new technology or solved a major engineering problem. It's practically useless. Now that doesn't mean there isn't certain sentimental value from the idea of being loved by an all-powerful being and surely the idea of an eternal paradise is quite appealing. But... should we really be encouraging this kind of thing? Why not promote optimism and hope (faith if you will) through science? Modern medicine has liberated countless millions from many diseases that in the past were often misdiagnosed and mistreated because of superstitions. Modern medicine didn't happen through faith, but rather through scientific experimentation. I think it's time people started acknowledging that religion is a part of history and... that it belongs in it. For the present though, if we want to solve the problems of the modern world we need scientists, engineers, rational and critical thinkers. And frankly, teaching religion is really not good way to promote scientific literacy. We can't rely on a dead person to help us. The only people that are going to help us are the ones alive today. And the only way those people are going to help us is by creating better technologies and expanding our knowledge of the world. Praying for a magical being to save us might give you comfort, but it won't actually save you. Just our thoughts on the matter. - Lyn Kopp Ambassador of the Ataraxian Confederation |
| Date | 19:32:21, February 10, 2018 CET | From | Hosian Democrats | To | Debating the Religious Change Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, The Ataraxian Confederation are sadly blind to love that Eliyahu has for them. Eliyahu has taught us how live as one people under Elyon. Our belief is that scientific advancements while good, do not amount to the supreme power of our Elyon. We hope that the Ataraxians will see the error in their sinful ways, by trying to advance beyond the natural world they are destroying any relationship they once had with Elyon. We can only pray that they will awaken and destroy these ridiculous communes and live a life of faith and religion. Elizabeth Love Representative for the Hosian Democrats |
| Date | 04:14:26, February 11, 2018 CET | From | Scientian Enclave | To | Debating the Religious Change Act |
| Message | Mr. Speaker, Ah, the peaceful and loving Hosian Democrats are praying for us to destroy our own communities. They really do speak for themselves now, don't they? - Lyn Kopp Ambassador of the Ataraxian Confederation |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | ||||
| yes |
Total Seats: 33 | ||||
| no |
Total Seats: 370 | ||||
| abstain |
Total Seats: 125 |
| Random fact: References to prominent real-life persons are not allowed. This includes references to philosophies featuring the name of a real-life person (eg. "Marxism", "Thatcherism", "Keynesianism"). |
| Random quote: "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." - Aldous Huxley |