As others have said, the heated blood of theists over the pledge court ruling seems to be cooling down. It might just stick, and here are two articles in my local newspaper that are in FAVOR of it. Very well written also, I should say. (both by theists it seems [positive that one is a theist, but not sure about the other])
Article-1
"The Pledge flap didn't bother me: Here's Why"
(summary)
America is a secular country
America is "one nation under God."
America should celebrate diversity
America is a melting pot
America is a religiously pluralistic country
America is a Christian nation (quote from it)
Quote:
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While I wouldn't use the phrase, I think I understand what many people mean when they say "Christian nation." They mean that America is a nation mostly made up of people who profess themselves to be Christians. If that is the meaning, then they are technically correct. In an April 2001 Gallup poll, 82 percent of Americans called themselves Christian. If, however, someone means that being a "Christian nation" requires everyone to recite the Lord's Prayer in school or that the government should put Nativity scenes on public property, then, noooo, we are not a "Christian nation." (Go back to the "America is a secular country" entry above.
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Article-2
"Atheists aren't viewing court's pledge ruling as a godsend"
Quote:
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LASTS WEEK'S Pledge of Allegiance debate reaffirmed at least one political lesson: While elected officials usually try not to offend anyone, there's one group no one worries about alienating - atheists who believe in the nation, though not a deity
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Quote:
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Religion always has been integral to American culture. But only in the past half-century, with many Americans feeling threatened by communism and scientific secularism, has God taken on greater prominence in government. "Under God" in the pledge and "In God We Trust" on our currency are both products of the 1950's, a Cold War defense.
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Quote:
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But, in that same time, a nondenominational God has become so fundamental to our political discourse that nonbelievers - who make up anywhere from 5 to 18 percent of the population, depending on the poll - say they have no voice. Freedom of religion means that it doesn't matter which monotheism you subscribe to - as long as you pick one, Cheek said.
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That article also has tons of other "pro-atheist" views and also talks about how many view atheists as unmoral and not as citizens (also quotes Presidents Bush's famous 1987 "atheists should not be considered citizens" chat).
Anyways - I don't know about you guys, but it seems that this might actually turn out to be a GOOD thing!
[ July 06, 2002: Message edited by: vonmeth ]</p>
07-06-2002, 09:48 AM
Might not be so bad ....
