Response to "Choking on Beliefs" by Aly Boughton

In this post, I will be responding to Aly Boughton's post, entitled "Choking on Beliefs"
http://aboughton.blogspot.com/2013/02/choking-on-beliefs.html

In Aly's post, she explains that she feels it is wrong to shove one's beliefs down another person's throat, and that it happens much too often. I agree with her that although many of us are guilty of doing this ourselves, it is still wrong and we should try not to. I agree with everything she says in her post, except for her last sentence. She ends her post by claiming, "If people could, with in reason, believe what they wanted without forcing their beliefs onto others, the naturalism vs supernaturalism 'culture war' wouldn't be as much of an issue." I somewhat disagree with this claim for a couple reasons. First, I think that even if people refrained from trying to force their beliefs onto others, there would still be just as much conflict between the two sides of the debate. Supernaturalists would still be just as opposed to the beliefs of naturalists, and vice versa. I feel like there would still be just as much tension between the two groups, even if they did not try to force their beliefs upon one another. 

The other reason I disagree with Aly's last statement is because I believe that even if people refrained from forcing their beliefs on others, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue because it would still affect public policy decisions. For example, the controversial issues of gay marriage and abortion would still be just as relevant. The opinions of the two opposing sides would still be just as strong, and government officials would still have to make a decision regarding these issues. Therefore, I believe that although forcing one's beliefs upon others is wrong, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue if people refrained from doing so.