A question for the Atheists?

Question

I've heard so many atheists complain about having the word "God" in the Pledge of Alleigiance and "In God we trust" on our money, but at the same time many of them still use the exclamations "Oh my god" and "Jesus Christ." I simply want to know why it is ok coming out of their mouths if they are so mightily offended seeing it anywhere else.

Ok, people, calm down. It's just a question, there's no reason to develop an ulcer over it.

Answer 1

Actually I have no problem with having it in the Pledge or on money. I view this and other references as a historical tradition and acceptable as it reminds us where we came from (an idea to have freedom, not being created). I also don't really like using *any* deity's name as a swear word, just strikes me as disrespectful to believers.

Answer 2

1. the swear words of all languages are either religious oaths or bodily functions. There are not the many choices for swearing. I tend not to use religious oaths. I find the bodily function words so much more fun and expressive.
2. "God" in the pledge and on the money isn't necessary to either, and both were added in the 50's. Personally, I just don't say "under god" and I don't use cash that often.
3. It isn't about being offended. It is about why "god" needs to be on the money or in the pledge to begin with. This country is diverse with people who worship many different gods. These national symbols should reflect the nation. In addition, there is a bit of a conflict with the 1st Amendment establishment of religion when the government prints money with "god" on it.

Answer 3

The issue I have with "In God we Trust" and "Under God" is that both phrases where added during the McCarthyism. Neither was around until the great "godless commie" threat came about

When I say "Oh My god or Jesus Christ" I am just using a figure of speech that has been picked up from where I was raised. It in no way means that I endorse a religion or anything else it is just a way for me to express how I am feeling at the moment.

Answer 4

one, you are assuming all, or at least the majority of atheists use "God" in that way.

two, there is a big difference between using a common secular expression without thinking of the actual word being used and actually meaning it. People yell out "Oh God" and "Jesus" during sex all the time, but I doubt they are begging the Lord to come watch.

Three, there is also a big difference between choosing to use a word and having it mandated. I doubt you would like having to say "One nation under Vishnu" or have to see "In Pan we trust" on all of your money. Forcing elements of specific religions into official government documents, etc is highly unfair to those who don't follow that faith. It's not about limiting you practicing your faith. It's about the freedom for those who choose not to follow your faith.

Answer 5

Because one is a habit that is allowed. I'm allowed in this country to use God and Jesus in a deroguatory vain way. That is my right.

The other is the government claiming there is a god. By saying one nation under god, it assumes that there is a god and violates my seperation of church and state. But so do many other things in this country that people don't think about. Like that I don't get my mail on Christman or any Sunday. That there are laws on the books in my state that you can't buy alcohol on Sunday. These all are because of Christian belifes. I want my ******* mail on Sunday.

Answer 6

By keeping god in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God we trust it could lead to a government that is based on a Theocracy. That would be a very bad thing.

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist, but saying oh my god and jesus christ is a bit different then having in god we trust on money. because they do not put any trust in god as they feel he doesnt exist. and by having it in a national anthem or pledge of alleigiance is wrong because those things are supposed to be honouring your country which these people cant do without having god forced upon them. I believe in god but I dont not follow him or put any faith in him and I also think its wrong to have it mention god.

Answer 8

It's not just atheists who don't like "God" so much in the government. Even when I used to go to church, I was upset. My friend is agnostic, and when she didn't say the pledge of allegiance in class, she was sent to the office and get a 20 minute detention.

Answer 9

The quotation on the money says something that is not true - it makes a claim about the views of all Americans that in fact only applies to some. When people use those words as exclamations, that is all they are, so they don't mean anything. That's the difference.

Answer 10

"The issue I have with "In God we Trust" and "Under God" is that both phrases where added during the McCarthyism. "

No, they were not. "under God", was indeed, added to the Pledge in the 1950s, but "In God We Trust" has been on U.S.coins since 1864. According to the U.S. Treasury,
"IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin."

I agree that both phrases have no place on U.S. money or in the Pledge, but let's get the facts straight.

Answer 11

Have you ever said "Holy cow"? That is based on Hindu religion. And yet, how would you feel if there were Hindu religious messages printed on our government documents? How would you feel if every dollar bill and coin had the term "In Balrama We Trust"? While you might not be *offended*, you would certainly find it to be inappropriate to be printed on legal government currency.
Religious messages do not belong on government documents. Period.
If "In God We Trust" was taken off of currency, how would that honestly affect those who are believers? Would it affect their faith? Would they suddenly say, "Our currency doesn't say 'In God We Trust' anymore, so I guess I don't trust in God"? Of course not. It wouldn't affect them in the least. So why is it *SO* important to them to keep it on there? Think about it. There's only ONE possible reason they insist that it remain, and that is so they can continue to push their religious beliefs on everyone else in every little way possible.