Atheist Ireland Forum

Doing a little light reading last night, I came across the following from 1905. It might make a good policy proposal for one of our political parties.

"Religion must be of no concern to the state, and religious societies must have no connection with governmental authority. Everyone must be absolutely free to profess any religion he pleases, or no religion whatever...
"Discrimination among citizens on account of their religious convictions is wholly intolerable. Even the bare mention of a citizen’s religion in official documents should unquestionably be eliminated. No subsidies should be granted to the established church nor state allowances made to ecclesiastical and religious societies. These should become absolutely free associations of like-minded citizens, associations independent of the state."

Where did it all go wrong, eh!. I was thinking something similar recently with regard to "religion" on hospital admission forms, just got me thinking because a nurse was willing the form in for me.

"Religion?" she said
"None" I said
NONE she wrote down (yes in caps)

I can understand why it might be relevant for surgery or whenever there is a risk of death, but why is it a standard question?, normally just leave it blank myself.

It was only when I moved here (from the Netherlands) I was asked in a hospital for my religion. I have nver had anyone asking me for my religion before. There is no need at all. I get very angry because it is non of their bussiness. And I don't know how it is arranged with religous poeple who are dying and want to see their representative of their sect. Should look that up.

We should make this the motto for Atheist Ireland.

What was it in?

Oh sorry! That's from "On Religion" by Vlad Lenin (1905).
I think it formed the basis of the religion section of the constitution of the Soviet Union. I'll have to do some more light reading to find that out.