Yes, I'm talking about a pretty key item of controversy. Now, don't say that it is right because "God is an ever loving..." (I'm not hating on Christians) So, anyway, if you're Atheist, what are your views on it? Do you still say "Under God" in the Pledge?
Before it get's brought up for the umpteenth time the original pledge did not include "Under God" this was an addition made in the 50s.
I personally think the government needs to remain secular in order to be all inclusive of the individual beliefs of the people. Acknowledging a God does not do this and as such I don't think it belongs.
Some argue that the word God is being used in a general sense. However God in it's capitalized form is almost synonymous with the Abrahamic God specifically, which is how it's written in the pledge. So in this form it is favoring one religion over another.
Before it get's brought up for the umpteenth time the original pledge did not include "Under God" this was an addition made in the 50s.
Thanks for mentioning that, though I would've.
Some argue that the word God is being used in a general sense. However God in it's capitalized form is almost synonymous with the Abrahamic God specifically, which is how it's written in the pledge. So in this form it is favoring one religion over another.
Right, I mean, I know it's freedom of religon, but they're just trying to force Christianity on every single person.
Some argue that the word God is being used in a general sense. However God in it's capitalized form is almost synonymous with the Abrahamic God specifically, which is how it's written in the pledge. So in this form it is favoring one religion over another.
That may have been how it was meant when it was written but I've always viewed it in the general sense. I mean to say that everything is subject to a person's individual interpretation.
Right, I mean, I know it's freedom of religon, but they're just trying to force Christianity on every single person.
When you live in a majority religious nation, sometimes you will have to put up with things in the government of a religious nature. I see no one complaining about "E Pluribus Unum" so why complain about one line in a pledge to the flag? They are not saying, "WORSHIP JESUS/ALLAH/ADONAI OR YOU WILL BE PUNISHED!!!!!" No, they are simply reaching out to a majority, and trying to not offend a very vocal minority.
However God in it's capitalized form is almost synonymous with the Abrahamic God specifically, which is how it's written in the pledge. So in this form it is favoring one religion over another.
I could just as easily take a Hindu god and capitalize it while just calling it "God." It wouldn't change the meaning.
When you live in a majority religious nation, sometimes you will have to put up with things in the government of a religious nature. I see no one complaining about "E Pluribus Unum" so why complain about one line in a pledge to the flag? They are not saying, "WORSHIP JESUS/ALLAH/ADONAI OR YOU WILL BE PUNISHED!!!!!" No, they are simply reaching out to a majority, and trying to not offend a very vocal minority.
No, I mean, if you read my post in "Atheism," I didn't say "Under God" in the Pledge, and the teacher pulled me over and yelled at me for not saying it. She is a Born-Again Christian, and I have no problem with that, but pausing to let other people say it is not grounds to get in trouble for. I almost got suspended for some reason. And then, of course, getting in trouble for wearing a t-shirt that just says "Darwin is my homeboy."
I didn't say "Under God" in the Pledge, and the teacher pulled me over and yelled at me for not saying it.
That is not the fault of the government though. That is the fault of an overzealous, completely religious teacher who clearly does not know the limits of what she can and cannot do. The government does not rub religion in anyone's face. I would side with you on this one, and probably make a complaint to the office.
....Does not invoke religious connotations.
In English, it means, "In God We Trust." If you are complaining about "under God" in the Pledge, than you should logically have a problem with "In God We Trust" being the US's motto.
And then, of course, getting in trouble for wearing a t-shirt that just says "Darwin is my homeboy."
Sounds like you have a bummer of a school. However, that is something to be looked into by the government, and it is no fault of the government that a school has decided to become completely religious.
That may have been how it was meant when it was written but I've always viewed it in the general sense. I mean to say that everything is subject to a person's individual interpretation.
I would still disagree with it as it ignores atheists and would appear to exclude pantheists. By not acknowledging any god, even in a general sense, you can than include everyone's views equally.
In English, it means, "In God We Trust." If you are complaining about "under God" in the Pledge, than you should logically have a problem with "In God We Trust" being the US's motto.
In English, E Pluribus Unum means "Out of many, there is One", which signifies the unified power of the many states. E Pluribus Unum cannot signify The Red Scare's new motto "In God We Trust" when it never surfaced until nearly 200 years later.
The government does not rub religion in anyone's face.
Except for in the pledge, on money, , in oaths, a courthouse trying to add the ten commandments to it's steps, the creation of blue laws, the fact several states won't allow an atheist to run for office...
the fact several states won't allow an atheist to run for office...
That brings back memories of a close friend of ours that was an Atheist. He ran for mayor, and he would've won, except for Texas Article 1, Section 4:
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
God can mean anything. I don't think it means necessarily mean Christian God, but as in a God of whatever they follow.
But if it means Christian God, you have to understand almost all of America is Christian, and that other religions should just believe that is just the general God.
