Atheists want God stricken from inaugural oath

[Specter_]

Obama is Christian so it's right that he should say 'So help me God' tommorow.

i strongly disagree. he COULD say it, but he shouldn't be forced to do it. i'm a christian too (because i'm too uninterested to actually become an agnostic), but when i take an oath i leave out the god-part cause for me it's a hollow phrase. in the end it's all about one's personal choice to say or not say something about some deity, it should never ever be expected or enforced (of course unless you are some bishop-guy in the vatican, but then it comes with the profession)

 

[Beelze]

I like to think of myself as an Agnostic, the middle ground between between Religion and Atheism, I can honesty say to Atheists that support this:

"Go fuck yourself..."

You can do that as an atheist, too. Unlike religion, atheism has no organization, leaders or common set of beliefs. The idiots who are pushing for this represent no one but themselves. Other atheists need not feel obligated to support them, as if the action comes down ex cathedra from whomever's the biggest douche. Likewise, you don't need to not be an atheist to criticize other atheists. Our lack-of-god doesn't care.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Simplest thing to do would be for you Americans to change the constitution so that the President-Elect just replaces God with the name of whatever deity he/she believes in. For example, if Christian say 'So help me God', if Muslim say 'Allah', if Buddhist say 'Buddha', if Atheist don't say anything, and if Rastafarian say 'King of Ethiopia' (sorry, couldn't resist that last one). Then no-one can argue and if an atheist or Muslim or Sikh or whoever does ever get elected, they can stay within the bounds of their religion. Obama is Christian so it's right that he should say 'So help me God' tommorow. Just for the record I am Christian but am tolerant of other faiths and even Atheists.

I would even question wasting time even on this. This is merely a ceremonial event, much like when the Queen disolves parliament before an Election in the UK. It doesn't actually mean a whole lot to the British people that she does this before an election, and nobody except a few fringe loonies appear to be bothered.

If Obama got up there and said "Pineapple Tennis! No rackets allowed!", I don't think it would actually make much a difference except possibly increase the amount of dignity involved.

 

[RobinHood3000]

Hopefully the U.S. won't go completely secular. Whether you all like it or not, the country was founded on the belief in God. We are a tolerant country--come and practice whatever you want. Just because you are offended by "In God we Trust" on our money or mentioning God in an oath or in the courtroom...

No other nation has rose to power so quickly. To get to where the US currently is in status, it took the Roman Empire 500+ years.

This is mindboggling. All religious laws have a "ten commandants", all modern law is based off of that document. So why can't we have a sculpture of the Ten Commandants outside of a courthouse??

Pardon?

The US was not founded on the belief in God, I doubt that all religions have an analogue to the Ten Commandments any more than the community pool (and even if they did, I imagine some of them predate the Ten Commandments), and I would argue that claiming that all modern law is based on them requires at least a supporting statement or two.

If you could provide a source or a deeper argument, though, I'd be glad to take a look.

Also, isn't a little bit of a stretch to compare the US with the Roman Empire? Arguing that one is clearly better than the other based on how quickly they could grab power, considering the differences between the state of the world at their respective times, is hardly a legitimate parallel.

 

[Daniel Cygnus]

Obama is the damn PRESIDENT, he can do what he wants when it comes to oaths. He can swear by a tablecloth and no one should be able to stop him.

 

[I Stomp on Kittens]

If they don't like it, screw em. This isn't an Athesist nation and God help us if we ever do elect an Athesist.

What would be bad about an Atheist president? i never get all woried because all the presidents are christians or what ever they are...o ya its probably cause we eat babies, destroy buildings and kill anything insight. ok never mind i understand now

as an atheist (or whatever people call us) i dont even care if he says a word in an oath it just dosnt matter

 

[Joeshie]

Hopefully the U.S. won't go completely secular. Whether you all like it or not, the country was founded on the belief in God. We are a tolerant country--come and practice whatever you want. Just because you are offended by "In God we Trust" on our money or mentioning God in an oath or in the courtroom...

No other nation has rose to power so quickly. To get to where the US currently is in status, it took the Roman Empire 500+ years.

This is mindboggling. All religious laws have a "ten commandants", all modern law is based off of that document. So why can't we have a sculpture of the Ten Commandants outside of a courthouse??

Wow, what a totally narrow-minded and ignorant view.

Last time I checked, this country was founded on the notion of democracy and freedoms, one of which includes freedom of religion. In order to better safeguard these freedoms, the founders declared that the government should not take sides in the religious debate. This was done to not only to protect the government from religious influence, but also to protect religion from government influence.

Also, your idea that all modern law is based off of the ten commandments is ridiculous. Where was that law that says I can't take the Lord's name in vain? Oh wait, I can, because I have the freedom of speech. Imagine that, one of our most sacred laws, goes in direct conflict with one of the ten commandments. I know it might be hard for you to understand, but there were religions with rules and "commandments" far before the ten commandments. Or how about that whole "Worship only the one God". That sure falls in line with the freedom of religion.

And don't pull the whole, "Well, it says to not murder and that's in the laws...", because there are many cultures outside of Jewish/Christian faith that condemn murder/violence/stealing. These laws come out of a desire for human order and society, not the Ten Commandments.

 

[Ago Iterum]

"Hey, I'm an athiest, I hate the way members of religion try to push their beliefs on everyone"

It's crazy, yo!

 

[edinflames]

No other nation has rose to power so quickly. To get to where the US currently is in status, it took the Roman Empire 500+ years.

Don't forget that the Roman Republic (the only Republic in history to rise to a position of world no.1 power besides the USA) took precisely three generations to evolve into the Roman Empire. Republic to absolute monarchy via Sulla, Crassus, Julius Caesar and his adopted nephew Octavian/Augustus.

Coincidentally the good ol' U.S. of A. wasn't the first nation to utilise the Eagle in its symbolism.

my2cents: I'd rather see an atheist who doesn't believe in the coming apocalypse with his finger over the nuclear holocaust button than a evangelical christian (who for all i know might be thinking "tell me when oh lord, tell me when"). Any ideology/religion can be taken to destructive extremes, so we must act with pragmatism and restraint; remembering the mistakes made by our predecessors.

 

[Ezekel]

Don't forget that the Roman Republic (the only Republic in history to rise to a position of world no.1 power besides the USA) took precisely three generations to evolve into the Roman Empire. Republic to absolute monarchy via Sulla, Crassus, Julius Caesar and his adopted nephew Octavian/Augustus.

Coincidentally the good ol' U.S. of A. wasn't the first nation to utilise the Eagle in its symbolism.

my2cents: I'd rather see an atheist who doesn't believe in the coming apocalypse with his finger over the nuclear holocaust button than a evangelical christian (who for all i know might be thinking "tell me when oh lord, tell me when"). Any ideology/religion can be taken to destructive extremes, so we must act with pragmatism and restraint; remembering the mistakes made by our predecessors.

Atheists can be fundamentally crazy as well, so back off the hate on religion.

 

[Specter_]

Atheists can be fundamentally crazy as well, so back off the hate on religion.

but the percentage is a lot lower than religious fundamentals

 

[DarkLordofDevon]

We can but dream...

At least here in the UK things are much more atheist-friendly. I am never going to America.

Its such a shame Americans who are so called 'Christians' are hostile to atheists. What happened to 'love thy neighbour'?

Ah well.

 

[Specter_]

What happened to 'love thy neighbour'?

didn't that already get a kick in the groin during the crusades?

 

[awmperry]

Seems a simple enough question; if the president-elect is religious, let them call upon whatever power they like. "So help me God", "So help me Allah", "So help me Flying Spaghetti Monster", I'm not bothered. But if they don't believe in a god, then making them swear on one is just disingenuous.

 

[Taerdin]

Damn atheists, always trying to push their beliefs on other people. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090116.ATHEIST16/TPStory/] Why can't we all just believe what we want to believe. Its not religion that causes people to be crazy or dumbasses, thats just how they express their dumbassery, imo. The day I tell atheists 'there is a God! So grow up!' is the day I become a sad pathetic person, I don't see why they feel the need to constantly try to convince believers that they're wrong and that God doesn't exist. That in itself its pretty childish, it reminds me of kids in elementary school convincing other kids their favourite tv show is stupid or something, and shouldnt be watched (Barney?).

 

[Jennacide]

To quote Lewis Black:

"What I don't get is what drives aethists to throw it in everyone's face all the time. I mean christ, these people don't even have the patience to even believe in anything."

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Atheists can be fundamentally crazy as well, so back off the hate on religion.

but the percentage is a lot lower than religious fundamentals

Only due to the fact that religious people are still have a very large majority. Just like in religious groups, certain atheists are getting seriously out of hand and are seeking the erradication of all opposition to their own religious beliefs, much to the chagrin of more reasonable atheists.

 

[beddo]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090115/ap_on_go_ot/obama_under_god

Title was taken directly from news story.

The gist is some Atheists what "So help me God" taken away from President-Elect Obama's inauguration speech. Thoughts?

I thought it was quite clear that religion is supposed to be seperate from state. Why was it introduced in the first place?

 

[Specter_]

Atheists can be fundamentally crazy as well, so back off the hate on religion.

but the percentage is a lot lower than religious fundamentals

Only due to the fact that religious people are still have a very large majority. Just like in religious groups, certain atheists are getting seriously out of hand and are seeking the erradication of all opposition to their own religious beliefs, much to the chagrin of more reasonable atheists.

honestly, do you grasp the meaning of "percentage"? this is not intended as flame, just checking

 

[Taerdin]

Atheists can be fundamentally crazy as well, so back off the hate on religion.

but the percentage is a lot lower than religious fundamentals

Only due to the fact that religious people are still have a very large majority. Just like in religious groups, certain atheists are getting seriously out of hand and are seeking the erradication of all opposition to their own religious beliefs, much to the chagrin of more reasonable atheists.

honestly, do you grasp the meaning of "percentage"? this is not intended as flame, just checking

Could you post some supporting statistics on this? Or is it something you're just pulling out of your ass?