John Page

From my CNN breaking news email:

-- Federal appeals court rules Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of words 'under God,' according to The Associated Press.

Writer@Large

<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/LAW/06/26/pledgeofallegiance.ap/index.html" target="_blank">Indeed.</a> There is a topic in <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=59&t=000271" target="_blank"> C/S Separation right now.</a>

--W@L

[ June 26, 2002: Message edited by: Writer@Large ]</p>

WJ

"But the appeals court said that an atheist or a holder of certain non-Judeo-Christian beliefs could see it as an attempt to "enforce a 'religious orthodoxy' of monotheism."

I'm curious, does an atheist feel that same sense of 'pressure' when they exchange paper money with the words, in god we trust?

Should we eradicate this language on american currency?

Walrus

WJ

Ohh, did you notice that word "beliefs" again!!!!!

Writer@Large

Yes, we should. Just because it's there, doesn't mean it belongs. So far, challenges to the motto on our currency have been unsuccessful; with this decision, however, perhaps we can begin to remedy the situation.

--W@L

[ June 26, 2002: Message edited by: Writer@Large ]</p>

WJ

Writer!

I think you raise a good point which beggs for examination:

"Just because it's there, doesn't mean it belongs."

Do we know for sure that it doesn't 'belong'?
I mean, have things changed so much in the psychology of america that this trust no longer applies? In your view, was it always innapropriate? What should 'belong'?


Walrus

Philosoft

What part of the word 'unconstitutional' do you not understand?

Atticus_Finch

Do you think it is also unconstitutional to have government entities (i.e. cities) named San Francisco, Santa Fe or Los Angeles or mountain ranges to be called Sangre de Cristo (blood of christ)?

Regards,

Finch

WJ

Philo!

I'm not sure; care to explain the differences in currency, freedom of speech, etc. as it relates to democracy (and the judicial system) and what is considered as appropriate? For instance, could the particular State in which the decision was made make a difference? What is the Judges "belief"?

Walrus

[ June 26, 2002: Message edited by: WJ ]</p>

copernicus

Originally posted by WJ:
<strong>I'm curious, does an atheist feel that same sense of 'pressure' when they exchange paper money with the words, in god we trust?
Should we eradicate this language on american currency?</strong>

Well, I don't "trust in God", and I have always felt that that statement excluded me. Would I like to see it removed? Yes. Do I think that it is unconstitutional to print it on our money? Yes. It was put there by people who wanted to make the point that most Americans are not atheists. The first amendment was put there by people who wanted to make the point that whether most Americans are theists or atheists is none of the government's business.

[ June 26, 2002: Message edited by: copernicus ]</p>