Do you think America needs to drop God from the Pledge of allegiance? Do you think the Federal Holiday in December should recognize the Winter Solstice instead of Christmas? Do you think it's more politically correct to say Happy Holidays, or Merry Christmas?
Just curious to see what peoples opinions on this matter.
2006-12-21 02:16:29 · 27 answers · asked by conservativeguyfromnc 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
American needs to return to a separation of church and state. That boundary has become ever more porous since the installation of the Bush administration.
2006-12-21 02:19:32 · answer #1 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Yes. In the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment in the Constitution, it states that no form of government should try to establish a national/state religion. Reciting "God" in the Pledge is a direct hit to our Bill of Rights. I also think it's ridiculous to require students to recite the Pledge at all, considering the majority don't even know what they're saying. It's not like most of the young adults in America are here by choice.
As for the last question, I believe it's more "politically correct" to say Happy Holidays, but I don't think people should be prohibited from saying what they want. There's no need to get offended if someone says "Merry Christmas" and you're an atheist. Just accept the message and return it.
2006-12-21 02:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do think that the United States needs to become less religious, and of course the anti-American phrase "under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance - even George Will agreed on that point. Those who put their religious group ahead of their country can feel free to move out. I hear the Taliban are with you on that.
As far as "winter solstice" and "Happy Holidays", I don't really care whether or not Fox News wants to play those silly PC games. I'm not playing - call it Christmas or the Solstice or whatever you want. Just don't dictate religion to me.
2006-12-21 02:23:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think we need to become less religious..taking "In God We Trust" off our money or "One Nation Under God" out of our pledge of allegiance either.. yes, there are religious zealots that are very right wing, but there are also nutty Liberals on the far left as well. I am not a devoutly religious person by any means, but once you start taking "God" out of everything, what's left? Disappearing holidays, birthdays, etc.?? The people who want this removed, are not the majority by any means, they are just the people with the biggest mouths. Happens all the time, these people have nothing better to do and jump on any bandwagon that's rolling by. I think people should be able to celebrate whatever holiday suits them, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice.. and no one should dictate what that should be...
2006-12-21 02:23:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think that some people should not be so irate over it. Just be LAID BACK. CHILL!
I'm an Agnostic Atheist. I used to be Catholic.
I don't care of it says God in the Pledge. I'm not offended by it, and I no longer say it anyways. I just stand. I think that we should not just recognise Christmas, but also the Winter Solstice. I don't care if someone says Happy Holidays, or Merry Christmas to me. I think people should not be offended when someone says Happy Holidays though. We have other celebrations at this time, and they need to be recognized. If someone is Jewish and says Happy Hannukah, don't be offended. If they say Happy Holidays, they're still including your religion's celebration. It includes all of them. We need more respect, and acceptance.
2006-12-21 02:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by Tifferkins 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pledge of Allegiance and America can drop God, that doesn't mean that the majority of Americans will. God wins over country hands down.
Why would Winters Solstice be more acceptable than Christmas? They're both spiritual holidays.
Political Correctness has made us all much more bland than our forefathers intended. Apparently our melting pot has finished melting in some people's opinions.
Of course, these are just one Christian's opinions.
2006-12-21 02:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am all for Happy Holidays as that about covers all the December events. That is practical. The other question, God in the pledge. I haven't said the pledge in years so I haven't thought about it. But yes, I can see it might make some people uneasy.
2006-12-21 03:40:00 · answer #7 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the Pledge of Allegiance alone.
Leave the federal holiday of Christmas alone.
Winter Solstice holiday , um no.
Always Merry CHRISTmas!
2006-12-21 02:29:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am in agreement with most everyone here, Just leave things the way they are. Saying Happy Holidays encompasses everyone, so therefore should be the correct thing to say. There are many people who do not celebrate Halloween, but there is not a movement to stop that holiday, why change Christmas or any other holiday. celebrate what you like, and if it is something against your beliefs, as long as no one holds a gun to your head to force you to celebrate, ignore it, it doesn't pertain to your life.
Happy Holidays !!!! LOL
2006-12-21 02:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by Michele A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, it should not take "God" out of the pledge. I think they should actually recognize Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. as Federal holidays to be fair to everyone, yes. But if you are Jewish, then work Christmas so Christians don't have to, If you are Christians, give your Jewish friends a break and work through Hanukkah, etc. Be fair and allow everyone their time of celebration. As far as Politically correct.. I hate that saying with a passion.... it is courteous to say Happy Holidays to include everyone, Politically correct is trying not to offend.. if someone mistakenly says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" just politely correct them and go about your day, no reason for offense !!
2006-12-21 02:33:34 · answer #10 · answered by harvardcub73 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Less religious, less divided, sure. I think Christmas is just gonna be there no matter what. Who cares really, it's really just another excuse to hang with your family - I see nothing wrong with that. The mention of god on coins and the prayer of allegiance is gratuitous and wrong and yes, should be eliminated. I'm one of those people that thinks the first amendment DOES mean the government should be free of religion and that clergy that expound political agendas should lose tax exemption (just like other political advocacy groups like Sierra Club).
2006-12-21 02:30:43 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋