Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Secular Elation · 07-16-2002, 08:44 AM

This letter to the editor appeared in today's paper:

Quote:

When does honoring rights of one person, hurt the rights of others? Moreover, when does one person's beliefs have to hamper a whole group? One of the things this country was founded on was the principle of religious freedom. And I am grateful that I have the right to worship whomever, whatever, or nothing at all. However, it is not fair that the majority has to conform to the minority.

Why should people that want to say the flag salute not be able to? Isn't that being unconstitutional to them? Isn't that invading other people's right to free speech? Isn't that the same thing that was argued against the flag salute?

I cannot think of many more patriotic things than our flag, because of all it has gone through and all the men and women it has led into battle to protect the rights of the citizens of America.

The flag salute is every citizens' way of showing support for the flag and the men and women who fight and die under it. If someone doesn't want to say the flag salute, they certainly should not have to. However, don't take away the right of the people that do want to say it.

Let me responds to some specific points addressed in the letter.

When does honoring rights of one person, hurt the rights of others?

When should we put favoritism on particular rights?

Moreover, when does one person's beliefs have to hamper a whole group?

When does a whole groups's belief have to hamper an individual's?

However, it is not fair that the majority has to conform to the minority.

It is not fair that the minority must conform to the majority.

Why should people that want to say the flag salute not be able to?

*Knock knock* Hello? Anyone home? The court ruiling did not ban the Pledge of Allegiance. It only found unconstitutional the "under God" section of the pledge.

Shadowy Man · 07-16-2002, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Isn't that the same thing that was argued against the flag salute?

Simply, no.

scombrid · 07-16-2002, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Why should people that want to say the flag salute not be able to? Isn't that being unconstitutional to them? Isn't that invading other people's right to free speech? Isn't that the same thing that was argued against the flag salute?

Once again, no one is prohibited from pledging allegiance, invoking IPU, Hailing Mary, ... You just can't force somebody else to do it.

<Loud Rant>When in the hell are these assholes going to read and understand the ruling that the pledge is not banned. The ruling is that it is just unconstitutional to force somebody to pray to Yahweh, or Allah, or Vishnu, or Buddah, or IPU. THE GODDAMNED PLEDGE HAS NOT BEEN BANNED, NOR HAS PRAYER, OR ANY OTHER PERSONNAL FORM OF SPEECH. ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHYHHHHHHHHHH I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE

Buffman · 07-16-2002, 02:13 PM

I cannot think of many more patriotic things than our flag,..

Try the U.S. Constitution. We don't swear to defend a flag...or a Bible. We swear to defend the Constitution.

Shadowy Man · 07-16-2002, 06:21 PM

I forgot where I read this, but it seems appropriate:

Quote:

"I'd rather see people burn the flag and wrap themselves in the constitution than burn the constitution and wrap themselves in the flag.

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07-16-2002, 02:13 PM	#4
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	I cannot think of many more patriotic things than our flag,.. Try the U.S. Constitution. We don't swear to defend a flag...or a Bible. We swear to defend the Constitution.

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