Margaret, here is the thing about religion: Faith is a wonderful thing until it becomes certainty; at which point it becomes fanaticism. If there was only one true religion, fanaticism wouldn’t be all that bad. But there’s the rub, honey. Not only are there many different religions; there are many different versions of each religion. These days religious beliefs are like a backside. Everyone’s got one and often times they stink.
If you’re a Baptist, you probably shouldn’t work at a liquor store or a dance hall. If you’re a Catholic, you probably shouldn’t work at Planned Parenthood or any organization that thinks women should have a voice. And if you’re an idiot, you probably shouldn’t get yourself elected as a County Clerk in Kentucky.
My late husband was Catholic. I am a Methodist. I cooked and he did the dishes. Thank God we didn’t live in Kentucky because he would have starved and I would have had dishpan hands.
If we can’t all get along in the name of Jesus then can we get along? I don’t know, but imagine asking that question in the Middle East much less the middle of Eastern Kentucky. Of one thing I am certain: I’d rather live my life believing there is a God and finding out there isn’t, than believing there is no God only to find out there is. The problem is that some want to make a dialogue out of what is essentially a monologue. And some so badly want to have a conversation with God that often they decide to make up his part of that conversation as well.
My religious beliefs don’t have to affect your religious beliefs. In fact, you can even have no beliefs and we can still be friends and agree to live and let live. That, my friend, is what having faith really means. And I really do mean that. Really.
Margaret and Helen 
[…] Helen Philpot (of Margaret and Helen) has a better grasp of religion that most of our presidential candidates: […]
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By: Political Irony › Helen, Amen! on September 14, 2015
at 1:30 AM
loved this one…love all the others too but this made so much sense!
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By: NANCY JOHNSON on September 7, 2015
at 3:46 PM
Amen Helen! You had me cracking up as usual. Fun read, I really enjoyed it. If you don’t like the law, you don’t have to work at enforcing the law. That’s all that whole brouhaha boils down to. Don’t get into that business if you don’t have the stomach for it. Period.
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By: Theresa Alipoe on September 6, 2015
at 11:17 PM
Gato, Good to hear your opinion on this! I’ve missed hearing from you via email since my computer crashed a few months ago and I didn’t have your address written down.
I did have a de jevu moment when we had a small earthquake here in Missouri yesterday that maybe since we put Kim Davis in jail for her “Christian” beliefs that the End Times are upon us! LOL In her dreams, right?
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By: Terry Waggle on September 6, 2015
at 12:15 PM
James, it is impossible to serve two masters to any degree at the same time. Both masters will in some way be short changed. Now this is something you know from your own experience. This is what blew most folks away in this situation. It was so obvious what was going on. Historically, when folks find themselves in such a pinch, they have to choose which master and then go with whatever ensues from that choice. In this case, someone was hanging on, unable to let go and as they say in Al Anon “let God”. As much as Ms. Davis was claiming to be serving God, as long as she hung on to the source of mammon, it was a hollow claim.
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By: mageen in old virginny on September 5, 2015
at 4:34 PM
Oh, James, honestly… No one is forcing any “christains” to “sin.” If Ms. Davis feels her beliefs forbid her to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, she could have asked to be relieved from those SPECIFIC duties, and done all kinds of other clerkly duties. Of course, her “beliefs” may also lead her to feel that gay individuals should not be issued building permits, allowed to pay their motor vehicle taxes, be granted zoning variances, and lord knows what else. And how, pray tell, does her insisting that her staff members honor her personal beliefs, as well – whether they are gay, straight, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, or whatever? In that case, who is “forcing” whom to disobey possibly not only their personal beliefs, but to break the law they have sworn to uphold?
Ms. Davis strikes me as a self-important bigot (reminding me very much of one of our very own posters here, I might add) and is only too happy to serve as a handy “martyr” for the Far Right Theocrats. And they just couldn’t wait to use her. If one wants to live in a society governed by religious beliefs, there are plenty of options. So far, at least, the United States is not one of them, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Gato
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By: gatodicima on September 5, 2015
at 10:43 AM
I am a Buddhist! I am proud that faith is something natural not forced to believe in having full of common sense and wisdom. I certainly respect Helen Philpot and excite to read her comments! She is a great lady!
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By: Jinja Cales on September 5, 2015
at 7:22 AM
Mmm! Helen is active this week! LK
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By: Lynn Kindred on September 4, 2015
at 1:43 PM
Just proudly label me a fanatic about Christ.
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By: Joe N Tucker on September 4, 2015
at 1:35 PM
This is all well a good except we are forccing no one to be christains but Yall wanna force christains to be sinners. Its illegal according to Kentucky law for one for her to give the liscense but most important God said no. We will not bend or bow. How is it right when theyccould’ve went down the road and got that liscensr. Itsnot about the liscense its about christains! We will stand for Gods word!
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By: James on September 4, 2015
at 12:53 PM
My mommy said “Live and let live”, “Mind your own business” So, there you go.
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By: Anonymous on September 4, 2015
at 10:03 AM
Helen, you hit the nail on the head once again. No one is absolutely right or absolutely wrong when it comes to what they believe, but they don’t have to shove it in anyone’s face. There are Christians, so called anyway, who are giving Christianity a bad name. If you are going to do something in the name of Jesus then at least have a clue what he preached and believed. And understand that the Bible is an historic account of the times in which these writers lived. Writers? Yes, please don’t give me the “written by God” stuff. The Bible is history, plain and simple. Interpretation can be made any way someone chooses to interpret.
And remember the law is the law, until it is changed, and anyone can get married and it is not for you to decide how to interpret it. If you are an idiot don’t run for public office. Boy, that would empty out the Tea Party clown car really quickly.
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By: COblu on September 4, 2015
at 10:02 AM
You are always a ray of sunshine, love to read your posts!
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By: Pat on September 4, 2015
at 10:00 AM
Love this column, but a FB friend and I are trying to figure out this paragraph: “My late husband was Catholic. I am a Methodist. I cooked and he did the dishes. Thank God we didn’t live in Kentucky because he would have starved and I would have had dishpan hands.” What does the fact that you cooked and he did the dishes have to do with him being Catholic, your being Methodist, or living in Kentucky? Woman = cook is part of the traditional gender stereotype, and men doing the dishes wasn’t all that unusual when I was growing up. OTOH, I grew up in Massachusetts, not Kentucky, so maybe that explains it.
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By: Susanna J. Sturgis on September 4, 2015
at 7:10 AM
[…] https://margaretandhelen.com/2015/09/03/if-youre-baptist-dont-work-in-a-liquor-store-if-youre-an-idio… […]
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By: Good Reading - Bad Girl Chats on September 4, 2015
at 6:30 AM
I am Baptist, and I’m wondering why you feel that I shouldn’t work in a liquor store or a dance hall. I would like to think that my former dance students would disagree with you. You’re probably right about the liquor store issue; my taste in wine is pretty unsophisticated, and I have been known to recommend a wine that is quite inexpensive, something the liquor store owner would probably not appreciate.
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By: Hunt Gressitt on September 4, 2015
at 12:45 AM
.
.
.
And God said: “That’s not MY cross !!!
Δ
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By: Whirled Peas Δ on September 4, 2015
at 12:43 AM
As a native Kentuckian, glad our still Prevalent idiocy could give Texas idiocy a break in the news. Sent from my iPhone
>
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By: Carolyn Crouch on September 3, 2015
at 11:20 PM
Love you two!!! Keep it up! It’s like a breath of fresh air!——————————————–
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By: Dana Morehouse on September 3, 2015
at 11:14 PM
Absolutely. I have no religion, and I have never wanted to push that view on anyone. Why should anyone WITH a religion push their view on me?
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By: emilievardaman on September 3, 2015
at 9:53 PM
Helen, You are awesome!
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By: Mary Houlihan on September 3, 2015
at 9:42 PM
What is wrong with people?! Thanks for your spot-on take! So refreshing to hear a voice of reason.
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By: Crappy Christmas Letter on September 3, 2015
at 8:38 PM
Reblogged this on Central Oregon Coast NOW.
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By: Central Oregon Coast NOW on September 3, 2015
at 5:28 PM
Namaste, God bless, you are awesome!
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By: Honolulu Aunty on September 3, 2015
at 5:24 PM
I have said it before and I will say it again…I want to be you when I grow up.
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By: Anonymous on September 3, 2015
at 5:20 PM
Thanks and the Pope has just said the same thing. He has received validation. You need none. Right on.
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By: Anonymous on September 3, 2015
at 5:07 PM
You’re posts continue to bring me joy! Keep ’em comin’!
Sent from my iPhone
>
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By: Erin Kirwan on September 3, 2015
at 5:01 PM
Can I post this on Facebook?
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By: ockatie51@yahoo.com on September 3, 2015
at 4:56 PM
Amen!!!!
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By: Anonymous on September 3, 2015
at 4:07 PM
Way to go Helen, another home run!
Keep ’em comin’. I mean it. Really.
Ever read Wonkette?
Pontius Pilate just put Kim Davis Is In Jail,
Wingnuts ******* Their Pull-Ups In RAGE!
*rough language
Peace ~ Δ
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By: Whirled Peas Δ on September 3, 2015
at 3:53 PM
Except #4 is actually a repeat of one of the earlier #’s. I believe #2 maybe?
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By: Hill on September 3, 2015
at 3:33 PM
What a NARCISSIST! perhaps she’ll even get more narcissistic supply in jail.
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By: cryptoclearance on September 3, 2015
at 2:04 PM
Helen – you are a rock star! You always get it right with your common sense “cut to the chase” remarks. Do you want to run for President? YOu’d have MY vote!!
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By: Beth on September 3, 2015
at 2:00 PM
Wow! and I mean W.O.W.! And how long have you been reading my mind?
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By: mageen in old virginny on September 3, 2015
at 1:17 PM
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
“My religious beliefs don’t have to affect your religious beliefs. In fact, you can even have no beliefs and we can still be friends and agree to live and let live. That, my friend, is what having faith really means.” … summary!!
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By: Dr. Rex on September 3, 2015
at 1:14 PM
Let me get this straight – she was married to #1 but also having sex with #2 AND #3 evidently during the same time period.
The twins born in the marriage with #2 are actually the product of #3 not #2’s.
Yet #2 adopts the twins and I assume is financially responsible for them.
Then at some point she divorces #2 so she can marry #3.
#3 finally gets his children.
#2 has to make child support payments to #3.
Then at some point she ditches #3 to marry #4.
Is that it??
What hell is wrong with the men in Kentucky?
(I wonder if the judge wishes to be #5, eh?)
Peace.
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By: Cynthia on September 3, 2015
at 1:08 PM
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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By: Mr. Militant Negro on September 3, 2015
at 1:01 PM
Sing it Helen! You are one of the wisest women I know. Keep writing, we love it.
The Lady in question has been held in contempt. Of course I’m pretty sure that is what she had planned. She wants to be a Martyr so she can collect $$ from her followers. Now we will see what the next chapter holds, hopefully she will lose her job. My hope is she realizes what a hypocrite she has been and apologizes…… What?, I can dream!
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By: Mikat on September 3, 2015
at 12:52 PM
Breaking news – she’s been held in contempt:
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/09/03/3698419/breaking-kim-davis-held-in-contempt-of-court-now-in-us-marshals-custody/
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By: delurkergurl on September 3, 2015
at 12:26 PM
Beautifully put. Pass the bacon! 🙂
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By: delurkergurl on September 3, 2015
at 12:18 PM
It is nice to live in a country where all religions are protected by an adopted Constitution of the land and all are free to proselytize to there heart’s satisfaction and even pass their beliefs on to future generations. It is also nice to live under the same protection that prevents encroachment of dominating religious beliefs into where they are not invited. Let us hope & pray that it always stays that way.
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By: OldeyinFlorida on September 3, 2015
at 11:28 AM
I love your take on this idiocy. I’m Methodist as well and I’ve done a lot of Bible studies at my church and in other settings including auditing two classes at a local seminary. I want to live my faith in a way that doesn’t judge or condemn but reflects God’s grace and all the ways Jesus explained how we are to live.
One of my favorite verses is Micah 6:8. I have it on a bumper sticker on my car.
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By: Terry Waggle on September 3, 2015
at 11:02 AM
Why is it that bible thumpers can remember bible verses that suit their causes but not others? What about the one that goes something like this,
“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Many bible scholars cite this verse as meaning followers are obliged to follow the law of the land as well as God’s laws.
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By: BeeJay on September 3, 2015
at 10:58 AM
Beautifully said and words that I wish we all lived by!
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By: Kathy on September 3, 2015
at 10:53 AM
Great post!!! AMEN!!
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By: lasergirlnm on September 3, 2015
at 10:40 AM
Great post!!!
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By: lasergirlnm on September 3, 2015
at 10:39 AM
The problem I have with this idiot is that it is her job to issue marriage licenses. She shouldn’t have a choice no more than my doctor should ignore my wishes if they don’t coincide with his beliefs. If I sign a DNR, he must abide by that even if he doesn’t agree with it. This woman needs to be remove from her job immediately as she isn’t doing that which the tax payers are paying her to do. I can imagine there are some that are behind her 100% on this issue, but if she refused to file a death certificate or issue copies so that they could claim their insurance benefits those same people would be up in arms.
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By: Barney's wife on September 3, 2015
at 10:38 AM
I love the message you ladies put out! I wish more people could think this way.
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By: Kathy melton on September 3, 2015
at 10:33 AM
Absoiutely true. Is God paying her salary? If so, she should be paid by her church, not the citizens of Kentucky who are of different faiths I assume. Why do we need the courts in all of this and to spend all that taxpayer money. I would bill her church for all of the court expenses and put the buck where it should be – not on God, but on the church itself.
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By: Davlyn Jones on September 3, 2015
at 10:31 AM
All I can say about this post is AMEN TO YOU!!
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By: fishducky on September 3, 2015
at 10:28 AM
In most states to be an official you have to take an oath of office. Why is no one pointing this out to the dear lady?
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By: blb1 on September 3, 2015
at 10:26 AM
Elected or whatever…she is not doing her job! I sure hope she’s held in contempt. The comment by btg5885 below is especially enlightening.
Helen still rocks and does so every time! “Live long and prosper…”
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By: hillsmom on September 3, 2015
at 9:59 AM
Succinctly said (yet again). I’m also very amused by how this Clerk’s multi-marriaged, children-out-wedlock past doesn’t seem to register on her hypocrisy-meter.
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By: smonakey on September 3, 2015
at 9:59 AM
Much as I love the post, I think you’ve got the headline wrong. It’s only if you are an idiot that you can run for County Clerk in KY with a hope of being elected, it seems.
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By: Thelma Reese on September 3, 2015
at 9:57 AM
Well said, Helen! What gets me is that she’s also instructing those who work under her not to issue licenses either. She should be fired!
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By: Jean R. on September 3, 2015
at 9:53 AM
You forgot to mention the Bible. Last count I think there were at least 2,000 versions of ‘the Bible,” and all of them are different in some way. Yet, “Bible Thumpers” enjoy, end feel compelled, to tell everyone else what to do and how to do it. Religion is like the used car business, where there is an old saying – there is an ass for every seat, and a seat for every ass.
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By: Dakota Clark on September 3, 2015
at 9:50 AM
Good post. We cannot have public officials treating people unequally as it is unjust and a slippery slope. Before the Voting a Rights and Civil Rights Acts, it was not uncommon that southern election officials would require Blacks to recite the Constitution preamble verbatim to get a voting card. Also, if they tried, their name was placed in the paper and they may have been fired or maltreated. Some ministers used the good book to sanctify such treatment. That was wrong, just as it is wrong to deny same sex marriages which is now the law. But, what if sincerely held beliefs told an official that interracial marriage was wrong, or interfaith marriage was wrong, or divorce and remarriage was wrong and even adulterous (these is in the bible). Now, close your eyes and think what if Ms. Davis was a Hindu, Muslim, Jew, and held these same beliefs and would not issue a license, would the fervor be the same?
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By: btg5885 on September 3, 2015
at 9:48 AM
Thanks kid. Am in Oklahoma and it is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!
Sent from my iPad
>
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By: Kathleen Hollosy on September 3, 2015
at 9:48 AM
As usual you hit the nail on the head with the correct size hammer. I don’t tell my neighbors how to keep house but most of them are bad at it in my opinion. As mother said ….well I am sure she had something to say! Don’t cram your beliefs down my throat and we will all get along fine. We are a mixed bag in this family and none of them keep us from being a Family.
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By: Anonymous on September 3, 2015
at 9:45 AM
Amen to that! I wish more people believe the way we do! Believe in God (or don’t), believe in the teachings of your religion (or don’t), but stop shoving your beliefs down my throat; and above all else, don’t be a hypocrite….a sin is a sin is a sin, there is no ranking…at least in my belief system.
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By: CJ on September 3, 2015
at 9:44 AM
Thanks for expressing my opinion!
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By: Dee on September 3, 2015
at 9:30 AM
Amen!
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By: Philip Leavitt on September 3, 2015
at 9:29 AM
AMEN, sister!
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By: Terry on September 3, 2015
at 9:29 AM
Amen!
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By: Rhonda Dossett on September 3, 2015
at 9:25 AM
Brava! Brava!
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By: Ellie on September 3, 2015
at 9:20 AM