WTF!?

[jackofallgeeks]

Shirley, You Jest.

I can't even believe this is actually still running. The Pledge of Alligence declared Unconstitutional? It makes me sick. I mean, for crying out loud, this nation was founded in an effort to promote religious tolerance, and I'm all for that -- but it seems to me that we are fast on our way to smothering anything remotely religious, all in the name of not offending anyone.

Fuck that, it's my Constitutional Right to offend someone if I so choose (read the Bill of Rights, it's in there implicitly). Shouldn't we be interested in TOLERATING religion, rather than smothering it?

Comments

[naughtjennifer.livejournal.com]

for the record, their judgement was based on a false premise. If it were specifically mentioning the Christian God, it would be "under Jehova" or "under Yahweh." "God" is a religiously neutral term, referring to what a person beleives is the one superior being. By logic, someone needs to beleive somethign is supreme, whether it be man, morality, science, nature, public opinion, etc, that supremem being is their god. If all are equal, the everythin is god, also known as pantheism.

This is not seperation of church and state. This goes against seperation of chrch and state. This is making America an Atheist state.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

My point precicely. Religious Persecusion under the guise of Tolerance.

Take this to historical context...

[serenabuny.livejournal.com]

We know for a fact that the founders of our country meant the Christian god. They were mostly Protestant men. It's not smothering religion to make it unconstitutional, it's making children of all religions speak for a God whether he's there's or not. If children weren't made to say it I'd be fine, but you know, I don't agree with God being on our money either. It gives the US an official religion. The entire world sees us as mostly Christian so they all think the Christian God when they read and hear that. Not right for the rest of the country. Just my opinion of course. Hope you're having a lovely day up there! Huggles!...

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

-nods- I see your point, and if that were the the Historical context, I would concede the point. However (and the article mentions this), the "Under Gog" was not appended until the late 1950s. I would argue the Religious basing of America have changed little enough in 50 years, as compared the the rest of our history.

Furthermore, America doesn't have an official Religion, but it does stand as a matter of fact that both the Plurality and Majority of Americans are Christians, and so anyone who thinks of America as a 'Christian' country is not far off, as that's the type of people who live here. The Government, however, does not promote nor discourage any particular religion. As far as the Government is concerned, they're all equal.

And Finally, I would concede the point on 'God' being on our money. I personally see no harm in it with what's already been said, however I could understand the argument. HOWEVER, as Josh noted above, 'God' does not necessarily mean YHWH (I believe it's spelled), or Elohim, or Allah, or Jehovah, or whatever you want to call the Christian God. If you would like to argue the fact that everyone 'knows' that Zeus was a god and Jesus was God, I direct you to Webster.com (www.webster.com), where they have the definition: 1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality. Thus, 'God' as such is a religiously-ambiguous term. And Christian spin anyone puts on it is strictly personal.

The biggest problem I have with this general trend to American Government is that, as Josh pointed out, it isn't separation of Church and state so much as instituting Atheism as the 'National Religion.'

Disclaimer: Of course, don't you or anyone take this as an attack of any sorts. You hold valid arguments, and everyone is entitled to their opinions. I simply hold that the reasoning for this removal is mostly-unfounded and greatly-unnecessary, meant to please a small minority over a mostly insignificant matter.
-shrugs- I have my own opinions, as well.