It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having "In God! We Trust" on our money and having "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Shouldn't we just tell the 14% to Shut Up ?
2007-06-22 05:46:48 · 13 answers · asked by Cherie 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Geek--how does that step on the 'right' of anyone? We do not have the right not to be offended--it is ALSO a part of our history.......maybe the Statue of Liberty should be taken down. I don't like France.
2007-06-22 05:58:20 · update #1
Awww Joshy! Shut up!
2007-06-22 06:29:26 · update #2
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=359
2007-06-22 06:45:50 · update #3
Hey Matt--looks like that is what our 'next' motto should be........
2007-06-22 07:39:35 · update #4
Yes we should !
We live in a tyranny of the minority. People who feel that the wishes of the Majority should be subjugated to protect their "right" to believe differently.
2007-06-22 05:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
If the religious right don't like the fact that some people overreact and make an issue over the word "God" on money, etc.--they brought it on themselves.
Here is how such things actually work--based on history and the evidence of social scientists' research.
The religious right has--and continues--to push a religious agenda that includes, among other things, demanding prayer in public schools, laws regulating a wide range of personal behavior based on their religious doctrine, racial profiling of Muslims, etc.
When a group attempts to push such an agenda on tthe rest of society, people are going to push back. And push hard. Isues like these--which few non-believers would pay any attention to otherwise--become important because they are a way to counterattack.
The term scholars use is "radicalization." Meaning that reasonable people who disagree will be flexible and willing to compromise. When pushed by extremists, they harden teir positions and will give no ground at all.
2007-06-22 13:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some things are NOT a question of majority rule.
There is a document called the Constitution of the United States of America.
It says (among other things) that the government cannot shove religion down the throats of citizens.
Even if a majority of the citizens believe something, they don't have the right to force everyone else to believe it.
2007-06-22 21:51:07 · answer #3 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know what's great about this country? That we're afforded our opinions of most things and can have dissenting views and not be persecuted for such things.
I think it's rather funny, hypocritical, and sad at the same time that someone trying to push God and Christian ideals wants to tell the other 14% to shut up.
Less preaching, more taking your own gd advice.
2007-06-22 12:58:13 · answer #4 · answered by Josh 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
The problem is that many of that 86% mistakenly see a letter from Thomas Jefferson as saying that the founders were proponents of a seperation of Church and State. Thus many who say they believe in God still do not see this as a Judeo-Christian republic.
2007-06-22 12:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by ALASPADA 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Can you please provide a link showing that 86% of Americans believe in organized religion?
Let's amuse you for a second. Maybe 60% of those actually believe in "something", but certainly not what catholics, or mormons, or jews, or whatever believe in.
Maybe I believe in the Yen, and the Yang.
Or that God is a gigantic turtle.
Religion is such a subjective thing, you know. It's based on beliefs.
And does your pastor, or reverend, or whatever, advocate that you go around telling your neighbors to just "Shut Up" if they don't like something?
I'm sorry, I wouldn't want to belong to that church.
How rude!
2007-06-22 12:53:52 · answer #6 · answered by powhound 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
How about changing the pledge of allegiance and our money to "Poseidon". I believe in Poseidon and feel that the 99.999999% of this country should just shut up and respect only MY religion.
2007-06-22 18:37:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is the second time I've had to give your question a star today. You come up with some really good points.
There's nothing wrong but just like the immigrants, the minority of atheists what their way and to hell with everyone's wants.
2007-06-22 13:22:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't have a problem with that. I understand that some people do. Nice guy that I am, I'm willing to take that evil money off their hands free of charge.
2007-06-22 13:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If someone passed a law that said "Satan Bless America" what would you do?
The bill of rights are there to protect the rights of the individual. As such, it does not matter how many are Christian, or what percentage supports it. If it steps on the rights of one, it is wrong.
Is your religion so weak it needs the government to support it?
2007-06-22 12:52:40 · answer #10 · answered by Atheist Geek 4 · 7⤊ 3⤋