Atheism
- Thread starter xUT
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I have a different prospective than you. I too am what could be considered an Atheist probably more like an agnostic I believe in a higher power but not necessarily god. I would say I live a more christian life than most christians do. I have found the most staunchest church goer to be the biggest hypocrites. I am a volunteer for animal causes and also St Jude childrens hospital in Memphis. I have never got a ticket in my life or been in trouble and I am 47 y.o. But Unlike you I do not want any reference to god taken out of any things that normally have had it like Christmas or graduations or anything else. I choose not to engage in religion but I do not feel it needs to be removed from things that have always seen it the pledge of allegiance for example. I am actually envious of people of faith they live better and more enriched lives than people like me. Now I do not want religion rammed down my throat if I personally do not want it but I do not object to others who have faith. I just have a problem with things that I cannot see as being scientifically facted. Religion requires faith which I lack at this point but I would never want to deprive people who want it and accept it.
Ms Tree
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I have never advocated removing god from anything that is religious. Christmas is about the birth or their god if I understand it correctly. Regardless, Christmas would not exist without their god being part of it. I have no issue with the celebration of Christmas or any other religion or celebration. What I take issue with is it being supported in any way shape or form by government by use of land, proclamation or money (tax payer money, aka my money. In my opinion it has no place there and I believe the COTUS supports my POV.
You mention the pledge. This is the original pledge. This is how it was originally written and recited for 30 years with out issue.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954 because of McCarthy and the bad commies, Congress in their finite wisdom decided that if they change the pledge it will show the godless commies that we are better than they are because we have god on our side. So they changed it.
BTW, they did the same thing to paper currency as well.
I do not personally care about god being on the money. I do not say the pledge so I could care less what they put in it. The problem I have with the whole issue of god being put on things which are under the public domain is that the US legal system works on the idea of precedent. God was on the hard currency so why not put it on paper currency. Well, god is on all our money why not put it in the pledge. Well, god is on our money and pledge, why not put a Christmas tree on government property using tax payer money ... and the cycle continues.
I have never once advocated the restriction of religious belief, practice or thought. Never. I do believe in a clear line between public and private. I believe that if my tax dollars are involved in any way shape or form, religion should not have anything to do with it.
Majorities in society seem to have a certain arrogance or ignorance about them. I am not sure which. They seem to assume everyone is like them They do not seem to understand or accept that there are those who are different and that their rights should be respected. Christmas is a perfect example. I was raised jewish and I guess for lack of a better description I still am although I have not been to temple well over 20 years. Regardless, I do not believe in Christmas. When I see people around the holidays I wish people "happy holidays'. I do not know what religion they are or if they practice. I do not assume that they are christian even though statistically they more than likely are. So many people seem to think this is an attack on christianity. How? How is wishing for everyone to have a happy holiday verses just one group of people an attack on anything? Christians already have their holiday as a federal holiday. What more do they want? Some times when they wish me a merry Christmas I'll wish them a happy Hanuka. That just confuses the heck out of them. Sometimes I get a response that they are not jewish. I tell them I am not christian. Some get it, most do not.
The bottom line for me is that their are different people in our society. They come from all walks of life. I believe they should all be respected. Not just the one who has the majority in numbers. Religion should be a private matter. Why people feel compelled to put in public is beyond me other than the fact that they are trying to get more followers. Fine. Go for it. Buy bill boards, hand out crap on the side walk. Just leave my tax dollars alone.
Ms Tree
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When I posted the item above regarding the the pledge I knew I was missing some stuff but I was in a rush.
The original pledge was written by ... wait for it ....... a SOCIALIST MINISTER. His name was Francis Bellamy and he wrote the pledge in 1892. It was publish in September of that year. Here is the original pledge:
In 1923 the words "the Flag of the United States of America" were added.
It was not till 1954 that the fear of communism and the insanity of McCarthy caused Congress to put god into the pledge.
So for those who say we should not mess with the pledge, I agree. Lets go back to the original pledge as written my a SOCIALIST MINISTER. I am willing to bet most of the folks who want to keep god in the pledge have no clue who originally wrote it. That right there is irony. ~said in my best Larry the cable guy accent~
The original pledge was written by ... wait for it ....... a SOCIALIST MINISTER. His name was Francis Bellamy and he wrote the pledge in 1892. It was publish in September of that year. Here is the original pledge:
In 1923 the words "the Flag of the United States of America" were added.
It was not till 1954 that the fear of communism and the insanity of McCarthy caused Congress to put god into the pledge.
So for those who say we should not mess with the pledge, I agree. Lets go back to the original pledge as written my a SOCIALIST MINISTER. I am willing to bet most of the folks who want to keep god in the pledge have no clue who originally wrote it. That right there is irony. ~said in my best Larry the cable guy accent~
xUT
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ويقول الذين كفروا ل، إذا كان (الآن) انتهوا (من الشك) ، وسوف يغفر لهم منها، ولكن إذا كانت لا تزال قائمة، ومعاقبة الذين من قبلهم هو بالفعل (على سبيل التحذير بالنسبة لهم). وقاتلوهم حتى في عدم وجود مزيد من الاضطرابات والقمع، وهناك تسود العدالة والايمان بالله وكليا في كل مكان، ولكن إذا ما وقف الله تعالى : أدارك نرى كل ما يفعلونه.
I bet it has a connotation that homosexuality ain't too cool in Allah's world. B)
Dog Wonder
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Try it backwards.
Ms Tree
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the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
In my opinion, when you get right down to it aside from age there is no more to support this religion than any other one. It all has to be taken n faith.
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
In my opinion, when you get right down to it aside from age there is no more to support this religion than any other one. It all has to be taken n faith.
Hebrew is read right to left, not left to right.
Ms Tree
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I knew that. Went to Hebrew school for 6.years when I was young. No idea why I said left to right. Thanks for the correction.
Ms Tree
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I knew that. Went to Hebrew school for 6.years when I was young. No idea why I said left to right. Thanks for the correction.
