When did we become an Atheist country?

Question

I'm not a bible thumper, but I just read about an atheist group that wants crosses taken down that honor fallen CHRISTIAN police officers in Utah. What next, take down crosses in front of churches because they are in public eye? I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. I completely understand the separation of church and state, but it does not state any where in our constitution that we cannot celebrate our religious beliefs when it comes to honoring the dead (such as the flag folding controversy at funerals - give me a friggin break!). Can I get some intelligent feedback here? Rude and ignorant comments will get ya reported. GOD BLESS!

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/71092

And I do mean what I said - the moment an atheist group complains about something, the ACLU and all the other liberal groups get involved. And I ask the same question - when did we become an atheist country??

Answer 1

You're absolutely right , we're turning from fanatic religion to fanatic non-religion . I have given up all of my religious beliefs many many years ago , but I have no desire to deprive anyone else of whatever they believe in.
To me , a small country church in a rural picturesque setting is a thing of beauty . I certainly would hate to see them disappear .
I sure would not care to see the rows and rows of crosses taken off our cemeteries .
There are two main groups of Atheists . One in just personally non-religious . The other is anti-religion . You have the very same thing with religious people . Some run non-believers into the ground , while others simply accept the fact that they don't share the same beliefs .
Decide for yourself , which you are .

Answer 2

They want the 12 foot high crosses taken down and frankly 12 feet high does seem a bit excessive to have by the side of the road. Here in Florida they have a size rule on such things and no one has complained about it.

I think its amusing that they are trying to argue that the cross is NOT a religious symbol and merely a way or memorializing the dead officers. 11 of the 14 were Mormons who apparently do not use crosses in their beliefs. So who exactly is benefiting from this anyway?

Answer 3

The problem is that some equate church with theistic religion, and since there's an order to have a separation of church and state, the state basically become a non theistic entity if church was equated with theistic religion.

So the solution is to stop equating church with theistic religion.


It's true that the leaders of the country shouldn't be governed by religious leaders who only focused themself on religious matters, but that doesn't mean the leaders of the country should disregard their own religions.

Personally, in the past and today the U.S.A. is too much governed by non theistic religious communities, or secularist religious communities as some claimed to be.


Anyway. While the govenment of the U.S.A. might look non theistic, most of its population are theistic.

Answer 4

I don't think you realise the difference between atheist and secular.

I'm an atheist/agnostic, the crosses in your story don't bother me.

Edit:

"And I ask the same question - when did we become an atheist country??"

You didn't, and you aren't. You are mostly secualr, although religion still has power in office in certain states.

I wonder how you'd feel if you couldn't run for office because you were religious?

Atheists can't run for office in the following states. Don't you find that a bit 'odd', in what you call an 'atheist' country?

Arkansas (article 19, section 1), Maryland (article 36), North Carolina (article 6, section 8), South Carolina (article 4, section2), Tennessee (article 9, section 2) and Texas (article 1, section 4).

Each of these states constitutions require that you acknowledge the existence of God or a Supreme Being in order to hold state level public office.

Texas: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being".

Like I say, you seem to have secular mixed up with atheist.

Answer 5

Yeah, I would like a link to this as well.

People should be able to have whatever they want on a memorial. If someone is a Christian, by all means have a cross.

On the other hand, a fallen pagan should be able to have a pentacle if their memorial is raised right next to that Christian's without anyone screaming about it.

Answer 6

Just getting ready to ask this exact question. I think if the officer's family wants them up leave them up. I think this Atheist group needs to find something better to do than complain about something like this. I really don't get why they are making such a big deal. And, I don't think we've become an Atheist country , there are some of us who still believe in God.

Answer 7

Christians have constantly felt they have been justified in asserting nasty issues approximately non-Christians, Jews as properly as Muslims, or maybe Buddhists and Hindus. purely despite undesirable issues they might think of up. And Christianity grew to become into additionally 'unfold by making use of the sword'. at present in the US the Christians are Republicans, and that they experience justified in telling malicious lies approximately President Obama. They did the comparable with Clinton, accusing him of each and every crime they might think of of, and repeating the accusations repeatedly long whilst they were thoroughly discredited. fact be damned. definite, Jews have been very secure in Spain under the Muslims. The 365 days Ferdinand and Isabella chased the Muslims out of Spain grew to become into the comparable 365 days they expelled the Jews. And Jews have been alright tolerated under the Ottoman Empire, a minimum of the ecu area (they nonetheless fought over the midsection East, as they constantly have).

Answer 8

We became an atheist country (or we should have) the moment the Bill of Rights and The Constitution we ratified. Separation of religious bodies and the state.

Answer 9

Taking crosses down from graves is going too far, however religious preference should be removed from government buildings, currency, and the pledge of allegiance.

Edit: If these are crosses in a police station placed on a wall, what would they put for a fallen jew, buddhist, or satanic worshipper? Would you be OK with a pentagram next to the crosses?

Answer 10

I believe the United States is a predominantly Christian society. I do believe people should beable to celebrate their religious beliefs and I do find it peculiar that they would take down crosses since Christianity is so prevelant, not just in America, but throughout the entire world due to missionaries converting native peoples.