U.S. group wants religion pulled from Obama's inauguration ceremony »
Posted By greenmac 11 months ago in NewsA group of atheists is taking legal action in hopes of having all religious references removed from U.S. president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in January.
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greenmac
Ok..Ok....This is where I say something great about myself.....hmmmm. I like daylight and night time as well. How am I doing so ...
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greenmac11 months ago
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I don't see any need for religion to be part of the ceremony. Religion and politics are two separate things. Why the USA brings religion into the equation when choosing a leader is beyond me. In Canada we say who cares. If a candidate runs in the USA I guess they can just join a religion to promote an image.... I believe this happens a lot as seen by the actions of those that are elected and claim to be a person of faith. So maybe all religions and beliefs should be represented on the stage.... then equality will be shown.
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Spadecaller11 months ago
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greenmac,
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Former governor Mario Como's comments on this issue support your contention; this invocation should not become a source for division or unity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWU3MGS2bY -
Locky12Comment removed: Spammer, Abusive31 Replies
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Endoscopy11 months ago
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This country was started by Christians as the early settlers and the creators of the Constitution were almost all Christians. There were a few deists. So the Atheists are trying to say the establishment clause is a separation clause. What else is new. The establishment clause is there to prevent any denomination from being the one true denomination like was in many parts of Europe and in some of the colonies early on.
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They hate the idea of God since the definition of atheist is one who actively does not believe God exists. Therefore they try to push their views down the throats of everyone else. Just look at what they were allowed to put up in a Christmas display in Washington state.
Hate, hate, hate. -
SandmonsterComment removed: Hard Banned9 Replies
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susiecuez11 months ago
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Helllooouuuu! Here's the words to YOUR National Anthem:
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O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
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I do see the word "God" in those lyrics. -
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Bucotch11 months ago
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SandmonsterComment removed: Hard Banned1 Reply
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greenmac11 months ago
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Hi BB....Yes Obama requested it....... I agree it is his show and he is free to call the shots. Now ....what I am saying is religion seems to be a cause of separation in political beliefs for some and I see no need of it when it comes down to the "business" of running a country. It appears to be a negative influence more than a positive one.
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Eagle_Eye11 months ago
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In the beginning our founding fathers separated church from state and I agree it should be left that way. For personal reasons I don't like the Minister he choose, but I understand him wanting a blessing. If he wanted to be fair then he should of chosen a "Unitarian" Minister which are totally non denominational.
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amazed11 months ago
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sorry, but that's not exactly true. What our founding fathers did was insist that no one particular religion (or lack of religion) could be the official state religion, such as the Church of England was the state religion of Great Britain. From George Washington right on through Obama has invoked God and asked for his blessing.
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Once again, the establishment clause guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. The idea of freedom FROM religion being the way of the US didn't surface until Madelyn O'Hair filed her lawsuits in the 1960's. -
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Dionys11 months ago
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"chosen a "Unitarian" Minister which are totally non denominational."
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They're supposed to be non-denominational, but often times Unitarians are decidedly anti-Christian because of their experience with a toxic Christian church. They're no more or less unbiased than any other. -
HomerJS49Comment removed: Abusive
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bbi113111 months ago
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Drop it out, Hussien has proven beyond any doubt he is a Muslim.
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Let this piece of camel dung take his oath on the Koran so the brain dead idiots that voted for him can see what they bought.Isn't Kenya (where he was born) a Muslim country? -
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slate11 months ago
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The founders never separated church from state. There have always had prayers to open their official meetings/events, they have always uttered God Bless America and have given credit to God for our inalienable rights. In fact that credit is in our official Charter When starts with "We The People".
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Many people confuse one letter written by Jefferson as a catch all for saying separation of church and state was the intent of the founders. One letter by one man of the many, even he talked about believing in God. He just wanted to make it very clear that he feared the Government deciding which religion was acceptable, not removing GOD from the picture.
Government can not keep us from choosing whether we are religious or not, or which religion we choose. They can not pick a state mandated religion as did England when they made the Church of England the only church of the state and any other was considered Heresy and the penalty of not obeying was death.-
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Pecossam11 months ago
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Slate,
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Well stated and thank you. If these folks want true "Separation of Church and State" they'd best start revising MOST of our Judicial System, which is primarily Judeo-Christian in origin. There is no TOTAL separation of Judeo-Christian beliefs from OUR Nation and they need to get over it
Happy New Year, my friend!
P.S. Atheists have the best reason of all to pray---they better pray they're right! -
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jordan1111 months ago
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Slate, the founders did separate church and state. You're confusing that with spirituality which they expressed in the vernacular of their day. They weren't saying political figures shouldn't be spiritual. They were saying the purveyors of ORGANIZED religion had no place in government, with their theocratic dogma. Freedom under the rule of theocrats is an oxymoron.
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ellsworth-tooheyComment removed: Hard Banned3 Replies
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Newenglander11 months ago
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amazed11 months ago
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and the majority of the country prefer not.
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No one is stopping you from being an atheist nor your narrow-minded and bigoted opinion of those who are not atheists, but since the majority of this country profess to believe, why should we all have to stifle ourselves so that we don't offend a rather small (about 10- 15% ) minority that is loudly intolerant of the rest of us. As long as we don't insist that you believe, you should grant us the same courtesy. -
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robertraystevens11 months ago
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Didn't Jesus teach us not to pray in the temple as the Pharisees do, but to pray in a closet!
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Is it asking too much to evaluate this bellowing of God God God in the public life of the United States! To whom is all this appealing: parents who drill this into their kids' heads before the age of 10?
I, for one, hope that the Europeans are doing their homework or are otherwise not paying attention to this land where 47% (Oh My Gosh) actually voted for the 'godful' insult to all decency, McCain/Palin! As long as such **** continues, America will remain the Bush endowed land of ignoramuses-- scorned by the world as a pariah warmongering godful state.
I believe in God (certainly NOT that of the bible, Thank You), but meknows that our friends, the atheists, are right on this one!-
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Dionys11 months ago
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"Didn't Jesus teach us not to pray in the temple as the Pharisees do, but to pray in a closet! "
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Something along those lines, but it was more the idea that one shouldn't pray or give alms for the sake of one's own ego, or to prove to others that they were better, but that they should pray for the sake of prayer, give selflessly and without expectation of external, material, earthly reward.
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robertraystevens11 months ago
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The oath of office? The oath of office?
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Do you mean the one that Barbara's Inarticulate Conception mouthed in 2001 and again in 2005!
And look how that turned out: the torture president made a mockery of THE OATH. THAT 'man of God' killed 4000+ US soldiers with his lies and bullying his intelligence sources into swearing to his lies! And you want me to believe another 'So Help Me God'!?!
We must agree with the atheists on this one! -
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THOMNH6211 months ago
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let the left not forget that under Clinton we lost more military personal then Bush, if Obama wants to mention religion in his ceremony than it is his decision. Funny how the left turns on their own when they do not act exactly how they think they should. Remember lefties your only going to be able to Blame Bush for about another 3 months, then it is all Obama.
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jordan1111 months ago
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"The left." What left? WTH are you going on about? A group of people are challenging the practice of using the church in the inaguration. And you sweep up millions of people on 'the left' into that action? You're a partisan hack. Nothing more.
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Spadecaller11 months ago
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Our nation should not be allied to any sect, denomination, or religious institution and it should not involve itself in endorsing or opposing either the religious views of any member of a clergy or a religious organization.
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If we followed that approach of strict separation of church and state, we would not be wasting valuable time on quarreling over stupid issues like this. I say that because, the invocation is only a few minutes and it should not become a source of controversy.
What does it accomplish? Warren's invocation will not bring more peace. There is no need for an invocation to begin with.
If our government were to remain uninvolved in religious matters or affiliations on any level, our collective commitments to resolving the serious problems facing our nation would strengthen. -
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4thchance11 months ago
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I say it's two way street.
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The atheists want to rid us of all religion. Well maybe us religious people would like to be left alone. So, I say, remove all atheists from the inauguration ceremony. If they hate God and hate religion, then stay the hell away from religion and religious people. Live and Let Live, ya damn idiot fools! -
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greenmac11 months ago
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Does religion equate to votes when choosing a leader ..... did Bushes professing to be a God fearing man get him into office. If that is so, I believe using religion as an election tool hurt the USA in this case. as I said in my opening statement... religion is used by candidates seeking office. That is why I believe it has no place in the running of a government.It does contribute to political debate for the general public and also serves to cloud some of the more important issues that should be discussed.
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4thchance11 months ago
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You know, I'm a bit curious here.
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Why are these people so intolerant of religion. Can't we all just make our own choices and leave everyone to beleive what they want to beleive. I don't see anyone shoving religion down anyone else's throats, so what's the problem? I'd like to rid TV of all the gay crap that IS BEING SHOVED INTO OUR FACES. But, we always have the option of simply changing the channel. If you don't like something, then pay it no mind. I say, live and let live. If Obama wants religion to be part of his inauguration ceremony, then so be it, It's his choice.
If you don't like coffee, then don't drink it. So don't be criticizing me if I do like to drink coffee!
In other words, GET A LIFE!
NUF Said!-
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Dionys11 months ago
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"I'd like to rid TV of all the gay crap that IS BEING SHOVED INTO OUR FACES."
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Why? Christ never said anything about homosexuality and the Bible only speaks about a particular homosexual act.
Frankly with 10% of the public being homosexual, I think it's fine that a percent or two of the crap on TV is "gay crap."
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greenmac11 months ago
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Now do you believe a statement like that would be appropriate for a real religious person... I don't think so.
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If you are going to be religious at follow the doctrine. I have nothing against people who believe and practice their religion. I just don't like people who pretend to be religious. -
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betsyindigo711 months ago
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Seems to me that all these so called"atheist", are afraid of thier own beliefs. If they are so convinced that there is no God, What are they so afraid of? Afterall if Obama or anyone else for that matter chooses to believe in God thats thier right. It's time people realize and stand up for our God in which we believe. By the way the bible does state," the fool has said in his heart there is no God". Hey God said it. So take that up with him. For you nonbelievers why worry?
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memestryker11 months ago
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They aren't afraid. They are tired of being hounded by the religiously indoctrinated and having religion spit in their faces at every turn. They have freedom of speech and freedom to believe or not and they are exercising those rights. Would you deny them their rights?
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nlknlk744211 months ago
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Why should this country throw out 200 plus years of tradition? Some people need to get a real life. We say we are multi cultural but then someone wants some tradition scrapped. I prefer what Lee Quan Yeu said in Singapore. Paraphrase: We are, unlike the US, most concerned with the well being of the majority rather than the often unreasonable protection of the minority. No one is demanding any obsevance of religion. You listen or not, your choice. To stiffle some other's speach or thought is not freedom, it is the opposite.
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ashiraladonai77711 months ago
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I have to respectfully disagree on religion & politics being mutually exclusive. One the one hand, yes, they are different items, but when it comes to politics & voting, people's worldviews & ultimately the way they choose to vote comes down to what they believe. Religion influences politics whether that religion is theistic or even nontheisic. It has in fact even influenced movements for the betterment of humanity. Take Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., for example. He was a Baptist minister who spearheaded the civil rights movement in the US back in the 1960s. He strove for equal rights for people of color in the US based on his faith's teaching that all men are created equal. Would you dismiss his beliefs as illogical & untenable because they were religious in nature? How about Mahatma Gandhi & his movement to free India from foreign control long ago? How about William Wilberforce, who'd worked back in the eighteen century tirelessly until slavery was abolished from England long ago? His work was the result of his faith...
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ashiraladonai77711 months ago
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I have to respectfully disagree on religion & politics being mutually exclusive. One the one hand, yes, they are different items, but when it comes to politics & voting, people's worldviews & ultimately the way they choose to vote comes down to what they believe. Religion influences politics whether that religion is theistic or even nontheisic. It has in fact even influences movements for the betterment of humanity. Take Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., for example. He was a Baptist minister who spearheaded the civil rights movement in the US back in the 1960s. He strove for equal rights for people of color in the US based on his faith's teaching that all men are created equal. Would you dismiss his beliefs as illogical & untenable because they were religious in nature? How about Mahatma Gandhi & his movement to free India from foreign control long ago? How about William Wilberforce, who'd worked back in the eighteen century tirelessly until slavery was abolished from England long ago? His work was the result of his faith...
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drpolyphemus11 months ago
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If there truly is separation of Church and Sate then this is a no-brainer. Of course all religious references should be removed except for any he might make in his address. It is up to Obama to write his own speeches. But from the ceremony itself by all means remove all religious references.
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preddyred6311 months ago
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I dont believe this!Isn't it freedom of religon? That means if we want to belive in our holy father we can? Don't we have enough problems with our surrounders without belly acheing.I don't tell atheist they have to go to church and believe and god,but they think they can tell me not to have it in the presidents swearing in.It's a part of our history. Some know it all people want to get together to change it.Are your lifes so dull and boring that you have to go around causeing conflict to others? My advice to all you who are against it.........dont PARTAKE of it..........problem solved.
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