Why do you have to belive in "God" to be american?

Question

I thought we had a free country w/ freedom of religion but i keep hearing people on here complain about liberals taking god out of "everything" (schools, govt buildings etc...) I'm not religios, my philosophy is that I know I don't know the answer basically, and anyone who says they "know" how the world started or which religion is right is full of ****. You don't know if the christian god is any more correct then buddah. Belive what you want but in america we should feel free to not have to support a christian deiity if we choose not to. I'm very moral, i agree with the ten commandments and a lot of christian ideology, but I also always cringed when we had to do the pledge of allegience in school because I don't neccesarily belive in god( i'm not convinced he doesn't exist either), but i was punished If I got caught not saying his name...in public school. Religion shouldn't be part of state run affairs. Agree/disagree and why?

would you guys be ok if your money said in allah we trust? Or one nation under buddah? Try looking at it from an opposing view. Why should our state endorse any religious figure esp. when we have such a large mix of religious beliefs?

ok, guys, I guess my point here is that we all have our own beliefs, so for our government, which represents all of us, there shouldn't be "god" on our money, or whatever other instance you can think of. Just because you believe in god and it doesn't bother you is no reason for the rest of us to have to put up with it. And to annalucy: you're a disgrace to your faith. I'm not trying to hate on anyone just trying to challenge people to think about these issues. I'm sorry you couldn't have actually thought about the question before talking ****.

Answer 1

Hi Reuben,
We as Americans have to understand that Christian morals form the foundation of American Judisprudance and American society. The founding men and women of this country also happened to be predominantly Christian. I am not religious myself, but I do believe that it will never be possible to eliminate the theme of religion from Government.

I remember in public high school being alienated for objecting to saying the pledge of allegiance. I was branded anti-American. I objected because I did not believe in the phrase "under God." Nevertheless I was forced to recite the pledge.

My point is that Christians founded this country and Christians run it for the most part. Life just isnt fair sometimes. It's sad to believe that in the USA we must make compromises with our moral values to acomodate the majority. But when we come to the bottom line, it's not about who's interpertation of the constitution we will accept. It's all about who's making the laws. Who we vote for.

Answer 2

The obvious answer is that there is no such requirement.

Our founders were predominantly Christian, yet they drafted a document stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

The existence of God cannot be proven or disproven. There is no evidence that belief in the God so frequently referenced by our founding fathers is unfounded. If you are ever forced to recite the pledge of allegiance you may comfort yourself with the knowledge that the phrase "under God" likely as not refers to a real entity.

Your philosophy is called "agnosticism," and by definition it is a religion. Appointing only agnostics to government positions, or allowing only agnostic language in government documents runs counter to freedom of religion.

You stated that "religion shouldn't be part of state run affairs." Unfortunately this is not possible. Those who run affairs of state are human beings. Until that changes religion, or personal "philosophy" will always be a part of all human affairs.

As long as we continue to elect Christians we should expect Chrisitan rhetoric to endure. This is not a problem, it simply illustrates that most Americans identify with Christian beliefs and moral structures more than others.

Removing "God" through legal intimidation is not a true representation of the spirit of the American people. This is why you hear complaining. The American people are standing up for their right to manage the government through elections, rather than allow their beloved country to be retooled by lawyers.

Whether or not you agree with the outcome, your rights are being circumvented.

Answer 3

The Constitution specifically forbids a religious test for public office, that is, you can believe in any religion or no religion and still be elected. The First Amendment guarantees freedom OF religion, NOT freedom FROM religion. (By the way, it's in two parts: the government can't ESTABLISH a religion, but nor can it prohibit the free exercise thereof. The first is widely known and litigated, the second is virtually ignored). I agree that if one doesn't have a religious affiliation, that person shouldn't be forced to participate in reciting a prayer. But, I am old enough to remember a daily prayer in public schools, and I don't know anyone who was harmed by it. If it doesn't apply, just courteously ignore it. A bit of tolerance on both sides would go a long way!

Answer 4

Not really, saying "God" for allegiance and such are for formality. You can say it as part of procedure and so on, but doesn't necessary mean you have to believe it. You should be grateful as it is.

On the other hand, Mideast countries you would probably wind up dead. Remember the Iraq or the Afghan guy that who supposedly christian and people there tried to kill him for that? It was in the news not long ago.

Having said that, being American is being having freedom to express certain speech rights without being severely punishable by death like those country.

To be honest, I do not know their laws or rules regarding the religion. I do know that they are very conservative when it comes to the religion than here. They are more fundamentalist government than us in my opinion.

Answer 5

I stongly agree. They want to keep state and religion seperate, but yet try to force other beliefs on people such as religion. It all goes back to those who state that America was founded on "God we trust" and that anyone who doesn't believe that, should leave. I say to them to f off. People come from all over the world to live here and so did all the ansestors of all of us. The Indians were here first. That says how much of America is about control. Even those who tell others to "leave". Everyone has the right to their own beliefs. Just don't push them off on someone who don't want to abide by "your" beliefs.! We are a mix of people, beliefs, cuture, etc. Even religions or not religious. So for those who don't agree, then that is their right. Or we wouldn't have the freedom to discuss this here.
For me, I will believe what I want because it does not efffect others nor is it their business. As long as I am a law abiding citizen, teach my children their freedoms, responsiblilities, then who is anyone to judge?
Let's keep America "FREE" but "responsible".

Answer 6

You don't have to believe in God if you don't want to. Heck, America is so free on what people believe that you don't even have to believe that the world is round to be an american. Yes, people argue about things. Religion is a great way to start an argument. If the Pledge is your problem, you don't have to say it. There have been all sorts of court cases to that effect. As for not saying God's name...what's wrong with saying a name? Just saying a name doesn't make you a Christian, or force you to become one. That's like saying that saying a girl's name makes you a girl. You don't have to support our god. Heck, you don't even have to believe he exists. You have my official permission to be an atheist.

Answer 7

Here is a letter that I found roaming the website... I hope this helps!!

"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.



An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.



An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.



An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.



An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

Answer 8

I agree that religion and politics dont go together. I strongly feel that you dont have to believe in God to be an american, that is why we live in america so we can think the way we want and believe in or dont believe in. It is your choice to believe in God or not too, and you are no less of an american if you dont. Freedom of Religion is in the constitution, and that includes those who do not believe in God. It does not make you less of a person either.

Answer 9

You can believe what you want and live in America....thats one of the few great things about it. There are many Phony Christian groups out there that try to make it look like all Christians are pushy and over zealous. I consider myself a Christian, but I also believe that God will open the door when he's ready to "Save" someone. People who try to "save" fail, because its not suppose to be about them, but about God, and they forget that;)

Answer 10

Because either we believe it or not.Every person derive from eternity to time needs a supernatural Spirit empowerment.This does not come from any other place but the creator of mankind which is God.we all need God and god need to be worship.