Many of us remember the fairly recent photos of some of our troops in the Middle East serving our country who were photographed praying together in groups, and other photos of the brave troops saluting the American Flag. However, there are those in our country who view the words "Under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance to be something to be hated because God is in conflict with their perception of right and wrong. They wrongly assume that those words violate the so-called establishment clause, when in reality, the "establishment clause" does not exist as portrayed by these God haters.
22 comments
1) "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."
Right there in the First Amendment. It might help to have at least a basic understanding of your nation's founding document before you spout your nonsense.
2) When you are forced to pray to Thor, Osiris and Shiva and don't complain about it, we'll pray to your God without complaining also. Luckily for both of us, that will never happen.
Better read the First Amendment again, there, Jakey boy. I suppose he's another one of those idiots who thinks that the establishment clause only means that the government can't promote one Christian denomination over another.
Existence of praying soldiers proves that "Thou shall not kill" is not a valid commandment to them. So, it stands to reason, those soldiers are not praying to your God. Probably praying to Ares or Mars, or some other god of war. And, following that thought, you should pray to the same god of war, because soldiers have guns and training and therefore are stronger than you.
See, anybody can turn pictures anyway they want. That's why the establishment clause is important.
If the troops are out there risking their lives, they can do whatever they want to get through it with their sanity intact. And in fact, so can you, here in the states. I would never tell someone what to believe.
Which is sort of what your Pledge and monetary additions (yes, additions) seek to do, however passive aggressively. You touch on it perfectly. "You don't want this on the money? YOU HATE GOD!"
Actually, no, I cherish the idea of a kind and loving God, but these were meaningless additions proposed by Christians and designed to enforce Christian standards were none were before.
Oh, what's the use?
Yeah, we get it! Americans are the most special people on earth. YAWN!
One would have thought if God had such a special purpose for you, it would be mentioned in his book.
Um, are all these fundies total idiots, or are they just ignorant to US history? They act as if 'Under God' has always been in the Pledge. Here's a hint: It hasn't. It was added in the 50s as a slap to the Soviet Union, those Godless Commie bastards they were. Under God, in other words, is about as old as most Baby Boomers.
Pitures taken BECAUSE they knew Americans like to see that stuff.
No one suggest they can't pray and NOT saluting the flag can get them in deep shit.
What's constitutionally wrong is upper brass enforcing religious practice and basing promotions on what religion one is.
Let's shut all these idiots up and return to the ORIGINAL Pledge of Allegiance, as written by a Baptist preacher.
What's that, you say? The words "under God" aren't in it? Tough titty.
I remember the "America, Love it or Leave it" crowd from the late sixties and early seventies. Those of us against the Vietnam war thought you were assholes then, and we still think you're assholes now that you support another useless war in Iraq.
No, the words "under God" are not to be hated because God is in conflict with our perception of right and wrong, the words are to be hated because it's forcing nonreligious Americans to acknowledge God which is a violation of their freedom of religion.
Old Jake makes a good case for Utah being allowed to make his kids pray via the Prophet Joseph Smith, and Maryland to make them pray through the Blessed Virgin Mary, if only we can get rid of that pesky 'establishment clause'.
Anyone who has ever taken one of the various U.S. oaths of office -- which apply not only to politicians, but to enlisted and commissioned members of the uniformed services and, in many states, any state employees -- has sworn or affirmed their opposition to the theocratic version of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Constitution takes precedence over the desires of those who get hot and bothered at the thought of Sen. McCarthy -- and the Establisment clause is part of the Constitution that y'all have sworn/affirmed that you will protect.
So, basically: any members of the uniformed services that support the "under God" bullshit? Y'all are bound by your own oath to protect all Americans against enemies of the Constitution by committing suicide.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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