People end up thinking though that you can't have a religious belief if your going for public office, which is, you know, kind of impossible.Adam Jenson said:
Atheists want God stricken from inaugural oath
- Thread starter Untamed Waters
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mspencer82 said:
I never said that i think any of that. In fact as far as I'm concerned he has the right to say it (He isent even being forced). This is due to a little something called freedom of religion. every side (atheist or not) has a jack ass or two who steps out of bounds like this and tries to change something that they shouldn't. just look at people trying to get creationism taught in science class.
America was not founded as a religious country. AT ALL.
Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, Madison. None of them were Christians. Jefferson openly hated Christianity. Quotes include:
-I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.
-It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. (secularism)
The "In God We Trust" wasn't added to a coin until 1864, and it wasn't a motto until 1956.
The Treaty of Tripoli specifically states we weren't founded on Christian beliefs.
Also, nonreligious people are more numerous in America than Jews, Blacks, and Gays. Not a real minority. Statistically speaking, we must have a few people in Washington right now who don't believe in a god.
/rant
On topic, as an atheist, I really don't mind Obama saying it for his own personal reasons. If it was mandatory (which it isn't), then I would find issue with it.
Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, Madison. None of them were Christians. Jefferson openly hated Christianity. Quotes include:
-I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.
-It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. (secularism)
The "In God We Trust" wasn't added to a coin until 1864, and it wasn't a motto until 1956.
The Treaty of Tripoli specifically states we weren't founded on Christian beliefs.
Also, nonreligious people are more numerous in America than Jews, Blacks, and Gays. Not a real minority. Statistically speaking, we must have a few people in Washington right now who don't believe in a god.
/rant
On topic, as an atheist, I really don't mind Obama saying it for his own personal reasons. If it was mandatory (which it isn't), then I would find issue with it.
Which is different from an atheist who brings their beliefs into politics and affects a lot of people that don't believe the way they do?Fronken said:
Welcome to internet debate, if it has to do with religion or politics nothing will get done.Vinculi said:
Myself being an atheist, I have a feeling that the group or person making remarks against having a religious President is unwilling to have their nation's leader make decisions that leave anything up to a theological being.
You're allowed to have religion. That's fine. If you're making decisions for your entire nation and all the people in it, you had better keep your religion out of it because chances are there are a few people who aren't willing to "let God sort them out."
And just to add something extra to the conversation, the US of A's Constitution is clear that religious doctrine should be left out of public policy and law making.
You're allowed to have religion. That's fine. If you're making decisions for your entire nation and all the people in it, you had better keep your religion out of it because chances are there are a few people who aren't willing to "let God sort them out."
And just to add something extra to the conversation, the US of A's Constitution is clear that religious doctrine should be left out of public policy and law making.
I think most people agree that, while Obama shouldn't be forced into saying "so help me God", if he wishes, that he should be able to do so. On the other hand, if he believes in another deity (or deities, or none at all), then he should be able to say so in his speech.sneakypenguin said:
The first amendment says that no law may be passed respecting an *establishment* of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof...
If there is no bill involved, there is no constitutional issue.
And besides which, a mention of the word "God" is completely unrelated to an establishment of religion. Many people believe in God without being involved in a religious establishment or organization. They are certainly correlated, but not dependent.
If there is no bill involved, there is no constitutional issue.
And besides which, a mention of the word "God" is completely unrelated to an establishment of religion. Many people believe in God without being involved in a religious establishment or organization. They are certainly correlated, but not dependent.
Well considering the 8 year long cock up bush created with his affinity for god I can see why people wouldn't want him to have to say it.
