Freethought & Rationalism Archive

NFLP · 08-02-2002, 10:15 AM

It isn't theism to which most of us most-object but rather the pharisees and demagoguery of Corporate Christianity.

The majority of Americans have never in our history been particularly religious beyond lipservice. Most are Pascal's Wager Christians and it is the superstition of "As long as I call myself a Christian, I'm honky-dory" that they carry like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Most will also acknowledge a distaste for the likes of Falwell and Robertson.

Rather than cultivate vague visceral offense by demanding withdrawal of "...under God..." perhaps it might be more fruitful to introduce a bill which would insert "...and to the PLURALISTIC republic for which it stands...".

The pharisees would have a cow. They'd reveal their guile in the public light as they try to deny that there is no One Way which has a copyright on character and morality.

Autonemesis · 08-02-2002, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NFLP:
"...and to the PLURALISTIC republic for which it stands...".

It used to carry that message. Inserting "under God" obscured that message. Removing it will restore the pledge to its pluralistic form: one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Alonzo Fyfe · 08-02-2002, 10:53 AM

"under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" means that atheists have the same social rank as rebels, tyrants, and perpetrators of injustice.

If it is important to mention God at the pledge, mention it where it is mentioned in all other government oaths: "so help me God" at the end.

Then, it is a statement about the person making the oath, as opposed to being a statement about the nation.

NFLP · 08-04-2002, 02:33 AM

Yeah, we do have to insist the ninth circuit's ruling stand. When is it expected to get to the Supremes?

Reason; long may it wave because Superstition got a strong mojo working.

08-02-2002, 10:15 AM	#1
NFLP Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southeast Posts: 150	Let them have "under God" It isn't theism to which most of us most-object but rather the pharisees and demagoguery of Corporate Christianity. The majority of Americans have never in our history been particularly religious beyond lipservice. Most are Pascal's Wager Christians and it is the superstition of "As long as I call myself a Christian, I'm honky-dory" that they carry like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Most will also acknowledge a distaste for the likes of Falwell and Robertson. Rather than cultivate vague visceral offense by demanding withdrawal of "...under God..." perhaps it might be more fruitful to introduce a bill which would insert "...and to the PLURALISTIC republic for which it stands...". The pharisees would have a cow. They'd reveal their guile in the public light as they try to deny that there is no One Way which has a copyright on character and morality.

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08-02-2002, 10:53 AM	#3
Alonzo Fyfe Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 920B Milo Circle Lafayette, CO Posts: 3,515	"under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" means that atheists have the same social rank as rebels, tyrants, and perpetrators of injustice. If it is important to mention God at the pledge, mention it where it is mentioned in all other government oaths: "so help me God" at the end. Then, it is a statement about the person making the oath, as opposed to being a statement about the nation.

08-04-2002, 02:33 AM	#4
NFLP Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southeast Posts: 150	Yeah, we do have to insist the ninth circuit's ruling stand. When is it expected to get to the Supremes? Reason; long may it wave because Superstition got a strong mojo working.

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