Let's say we throw away the non-establishment clause of the first ammendment, but keep the freedom to worship. For those Christians who like the ten commandments in front of... which building was it? Whatever. For those that like it there, would you be opposed to an athiest group petitioning for, say, a picture of some philosopher that posistioned that morality is a result of social effeciency, and is not inheritly moral in nature? Maybe somewhere along the line there'd be Nietzche with "God is dead" and "Beyond Good and Evil" inscriptions. Would you oppose that? If so, then obviously the petition would fail, creating a tyranny of the majority. So isn't the non-establishment cause essential to freedom of religion in the first place?
And anyway who wants to flame me, by all means: try and be creative. This question certainly isn't my best written one (I certainly don't represent the athiests well here, being agnostic and all)
2006-08-15 13:26:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay, I'm putting this to a vote: I didn't want to just go ahead and select whoever agreed with me. Thanks to everyone who thought I represented the athiest point well. And thanks to those who thumbs uped me and thumbs be down.
2006-08-15 17:02:10 · update #1
Actually I think you phrased the question quite well. Kudos.
2006-08-15 13:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
theycallmetomu,
Are you willing to admit that Atheism is a religion? It comes as an exception amongst Atheists if you do, rather than the status quo.
I would that establishments put up anything that those that work there desire. And if the said emblem, or symbol of belief deters from the sanctity of the establishment, the peoples voice may be heard.
I am also not of the status quo. I find that the Ten Commandments properly discerned comdemns me. Yet that condemnation drives me to Jesus, the Administer of Grace. It is the grace that I am grateful for.
So you see, the use of the Ten Commandments is widely misunderstood, even amongst the bretheren.
I find your question better stated than the typical ones.
2006-08-15 14:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well most atheists would agree with all ten commandments except "thou shalt put no other gods before Me"...
They just put themselves before God.
Other than that they are probably just fine.
What other commandment would they, as a moral person, disagree with?
And since atheists believe in science as the answer and society is the greater good. What about entropy?
Everything is wearing down and running down right?
We, nature, the world, the universe is not getting better but worse.
Well I look forward to something better than this.
2006-08-15 13:40:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The non-establishment clause is essential to freedom of religion. If the government has the right to dictate a religion to the public how is that freedom for anyone else?
2006-08-15 13:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say you have a right to be a agnostic, and I have a right to be a Christian. That's fine, everyone has a free choice and free will.
I do draw the line tho, when evil comes into the picture and wants to petition.
There's a difference between people who want to choose what they want, people who don't hurt other people or hate. When evil thinks they have a right to anything, I do draw the line there, they have no rights. They are evil and they made their choice, there is nothing good about evil, they are not welcome.
This answer isn't my best either! lol
2006-08-15 13:35:50 · answer #5 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well lets see... Every day I see billboards about codoms or alcohol and half naked women so I dont see why "Thou shall not steal" would be offensive. There have been no billboards claiming someone is going to Hell or anything so what is to be offended about? If someone doesnt believe in God, do they have the right to not allow others to read the words? If I dont believe in condoms, should I then not allow others to use them? Athiests dont believe there is a God so, I dont see why they would be upset at the 10 commandments, I dont believe in Santa Claus but Im not offended by Christmas decorations.
2006-08-15 13:38:34 · answer #6 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You assume that the right to post the commandments, which btw is the keystone to the building of the government building before which it resides, would infringe upon the rights of others to worship as they freely choose. Only infringement of rights can cause this "tyranny of the majority". That is rich btw, lol ... that a country based upon majority rule can tyrannize based solely upon their very foundation of majority rule.
However, regardless of your imperfect scenario, I would never oppose those who wish to post their founding morality upon the building it helped to build. I suppose the only problem is that atheism hasn't helped to build anything.
2006-08-15 13:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allow everything, or allow nothing. That's all I have to say.
P.S. I think you represented the atheists very well.
2006-08-15 13:42:14 · answer #8 · answered by Miasma 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question! I don't get why most fundies don't get the "what if the shoe was on the other foot" proposal. I can't wait to see the responses.
2006-08-15 13:33:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bit strongly-worded, but an idea with definite merit. (From an optimistic agnostic)
2006-08-15 13:36:18 · answer #10 · answered by RG 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The imagination is a dangerous thing to some.
2006-08-15 13:36:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋