Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 04-22-2003, 03:45 PM

To be fair, Bush has also issued an Eid greeting, although it's a little tamer than the Easter message:

Quote:

I am pleased to send greetings to all of those celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the culmination of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

. . .

The spirit behind this holiday reminds us that Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind.

and a Passover message

Quote:

For Jewish families across the United States and around the world, Passover is a time of joy and renewal. This holiday celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from oppression and marks their birth as a nation. In remembering the Israelites' liberation from enslavement and their Exodus from Egypt, Passover reminds individuals of God's faithfulness and of the triumph of good over evil. It is also a time for families and friends to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers and to gather at the Seder table to eat special foods, offer prayers, and sing songs that celebrate their rich heritage, the power of faith, and the eternal blessings of liberty.

The story of the Exodus, as found in the Scriptures, is timeless and universal. More than 3,000 years ago, the children of Abraham learned of our Creator's love and mercy as they reaffirmed man's natural desire for liberty. Every year since then, Jews remember the miracles that led their ancestors out of bondage and to the Promised Land.

As the international community works to face great challenges and embrace important opportunities, the United States remains committed to peace, justice, and opportunity. During this time of great consequence, we resolve to bring about a rebirth of freedom and promise in troubled regions around the world.

Nothing for Diwali or any Buddhist holiday.

-RRH- · 04-27-2003, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Bush said:
Since Christ's miraculous Resurrection on Easter, more than 2,000 years ago...

???

PandaJoe · 04-27-2003, 04:42 PM

What? Expecting Mr. Bush to be able to do some math is askng a bit much, don't you think?

Jewel · 04-27-2003, 05:07 PM

It certainly shouldn't be asking too much for the leader of the country to be familiar with history, the Constitution and basic math. But alas....

Godot · 04-28-2003, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dangin
Just work to get someone else elected. 2004, will you never arrive?

I thought the shrub got in despite not having been democratically elected. Someone else was elected.

04-28-2003, 12:50 PM

I dont see it as offensive, disrespectful, or any of that. The majority of the nation is Christian. When the leader of a country(who happens to be Christian also) notes the most important holiday of the year that the majority celebrates, I can't see it as being offensive. A holiday is a simple statement that "Hey, the majority of this nation recognizes this day as special."

NYCparalegal · 04-28-2003, 12:59 PM

So, if the majority is of the same religion I guess this justifies having the President of a supposedly secular nation basically satisfying the whims of the majority at the expense of the minority? Doesn't this really make the President really the President of the Christian majority, rather than the US of A?

My point is simply this. Because this nation of over 250 milliion people with varying faiths, beliefs, etc. is governed by a republican form of government, not a theocracy, its leader should refrain from selecting one of these varying beliefs, even if it is the belief of the majority, when making public addresses, speeches, etc.

CALDONIA · 04-28-2003, 03:52 PM

Pardon my disgust, I gag when I see posts in this forum from "the Majority Rules" morons. These half-wits need to read Madison's writings of the tyranny of the majority. That is, after having developed some talent for critical thinking.

Oresta · 04-29-2003, 12:28 PM

Speaking of Madison, while its true he declared a day of fast and prayer, as SDL mentions earlier in this thread, he only did so once.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/day_pray2.htm

Quote:

Circa 1813: President James Madison proclaimed a day of prayer. He later said such proclamations are not appropriate. "They seem to imply and certainly nourish the erroneous idea of a national religion." 2

id.s · 04-30-2003, 06:14 PM

BUSH IS MERELY ENGAGED IN THE TRADITIONAL BLENDING OF CHURCH AND STATE. SINCE LONG BEFORE ANY WRITTEN WORDS OUR LEADERS HAVE BEEN CO-CONSPIRATORS AND HAVE LONG UNDERSTOOD THE PROCESS OF MANUFACTURED EVIL. USING THE IDEALS OF LOVE, FEAR, HATE, ANGER, JEALOUSY AND APPEALING TO YOUR PATRIOTIC VISIONS OF IDEALISM(Bush-they wish to destroy OUR way of life....... our hard fought for freedoms). The Eden of a dream state(see 1776,scrap of paper with elitist ideals on it-refer to Mayflower Compact).gOD is entrenched in your constitution because it gives your leaders the final mechanism of deception required. Only two forces can appeal to your need to kill or die for-beliefs and state. Family values is just repressed anger, hatred and bigotry masked by a belief in the systemic structure of society.Everyone, is always objectively lost/ disoriented-lost in math, traffic, boyfriend breakup,popstars movie idols,the web, believing, preaching, dreams,trivial pursuit,typing,.....ETC- to stop and pay attention. All Easter is ,is a celebration of the rebirth of spring that goes back long before christians came up with a rebirth story.It's the search for that common bond of beliefs that trigger responses, that gives Bush the right to mobilize us. If money, religion, politics,schools and laws(systemic structures) could change the world we'd have that Eden by now instead of 'war begets war'. Whether we are a/theists, nihilists,pacifists or street people- why we believe whatever it is that we believe can be manufactured as required.Cementing a bond to us- like good and evil, implies the intrusion of god or gods. Us and them, civilized and animals,right and wrong- dichotic thinking is a powerful herd glue- hate and aggression are all you need to stir up underlying animal urges and instincts. A non-exclusive public sphere is impossible. We all live in a central role of antagonism. All Bush has to do, is remind us of our god given duty to the garden and let him get on with his weeding out the misfits. Thank you Amerika for never waking up. Signed -All the presidents so far

04-30-2003, 06:14 PM	#30
id.s Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: VICTORIA B. C. CANADA Posts: 206	why we believe BUSH IS MERELY ENGAGED IN THE TRADITIONAL BLENDING OF CHURCH AND STATE. SINCE LONG BEFORE ANY WRITTEN WORDS OUR LEADERS HAVE BEEN CO-CONSPIRATORS AND HAVE LONG UNDERSTOOD THE PROCESS OF MANUFACTURED EVIL. USING THE IDEALS OF LOVE, FEAR, HATE, ANGER, JEALOUSY AND APPEALING TO YOUR PATRIOTIC VISIONS OF IDEALISM(Bush-they wish to destroy OUR way of life....... our hard fought for freedoms). The Eden of a dream state(see 1776,scrap of paper with elitist ideals on it-refer to Mayflower Compact).gOD is entrenched in your constitution because it gives your leaders the final mechanism of deception required. Only two forces can appeal to your need to kill or die for-beliefs and state. Family values is just repressed anger, hatred and bigotry masked by a belief in the systemic structure of society.Everyone, is always objectively lost/ disoriented-lost in math, traffic, boyfriend breakup,popstars movie idols,the web, believing, preaching, dreams,trivial pursuit,typing,.....ETC- to stop and pay attention. All Easter is ,is a celebration of the rebirth of spring that goes back long before christians came up with a rebirth story.It's the search for that common bond of beliefs that trigger responses, that gives Bush the right to mobilize us. If money, religion, politics,schools and laws(systemic structures) could change the world we'd have that Eden by now instead of 'war begets war'. Whether we are a/theists, nihilists,pacifists or street people- why we believe whatever it is that we believe can be manufactured as required.Cementing a bond to us- like good and evil, implies the intrusion of god or gods. Us and them, civilized and animals,right and wrong- dichotic thinking is a powerful herd glue- hate and aggression are all you need to stir up underlying animal urges and instincts. A non-exclusive public sphere is impossible. We all live in a central role of antagonism. All Bush has to do, is remind us of our god given duty to the garden and let him get on with his weeding out the misfits. Thank you Amerika for never waking up. Signed -All the presidents so far

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04-27-2003, 04:42 PM	#23
PandaJoe Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 188	What? Expecting Mr. Bush to be able to do some math is askng a bit much, don't you think?

04-27-2003, 05:07 PM	#24
Jewel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Northern Virginia, USA Posts: 1,112	It certainly shouldn't be asking too much for the leader of the country to be familiar with history, the Constitution and basic math. But alas....

04-28-2003, 12:50 PM	#26
himynameisPwn Guest Posts: n/a	I dont see it as offensive, disrespectful, or any of that. The majority of the nation is Christian. When the leader of a country(who happens to be Christian also) notes the most important holiday of the year that the majority celebrates, I can't see it as being offensive. A holiday is a simple statement that "Hey, the majority of this nation recognizes this day as special."

04-28-2003, 12:59 PM	#27
NYCparalegal Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manhattan, NYC Posts: 183	So, if the majority is of the same religion I guess this justifies having the President of a supposedly secular nation basically satisfying the whims of the majority at the expense of the minority? Doesn't this really make the President really the President of the Christian majority, rather than the US of A? My point is simply this. Because this nation of over 250 milliion people with varying faiths, beliefs, etc. is governed by a republican form of government, not a theocracy, its leader should refrain from selecting one of these varying beliefs, even if it is the belief of the majority, when making public addresses, speeches, etc.

04-28-2003, 03:52 PM	#28
CALDONIA Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sunnyvale,CA Posts: 371	Pardon my disgust, I gag when I see posts in this forum from "the Majority Rules" morons. These half-wits need to read Madison's writings of the tyranny of the majority. That is, after having developed some talent for critical thinking.

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