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LTE: One god proposal flawed on many levels
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In her editorial essays of Sept. 20 and Nov. 22, Darryn Beckstrom was quite willing to be contemptuous of atheists by dismissing their objections to having a god jammed down their throats by the theistic majority.
I would like to remind her that atheists have fought, bled and died for this country, contrary to the theistic lie that there are no "foxhole atheists."
Beckstrom needs to be reminded of the obvious truth that the Constitution is a godless document. It forbids religious tests for public office and separates church and state. By having an agent of government — the American public school — forcing children to say America is under a god, certainly not Allah, not Zeus, is certainly having government cramming theism down the throats of children.
How insulting to atheists, and thoughtless of Beckstrom, to claim that not having "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is a renunciation of our history, constitutional principles and out commitment to the rule of law.
Beckstrom needs to be reminded that "under God" has only been in the Pledge since 1954.
Concerning our heritage: The modern American republic was founded by men of the 18th-century Enlightenment. It was not founded by people with the theological mindset of Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell.
Here is how Charles A. Beard and Mary R. Beard, in Volume I of "The Rise of American Civilization," described the religious beliefs of the leading founding fathers of this country:
"When the crisis came, Jefferson, Paine, John Adams, Washington, Franklin, Madison, and many lesser lights were to be reckoned among either the Unitarians or the Deists. It was not Cotton Mather's God to whom the authors of the Declaration of Independence appealed, it was to Nature's God. From whatever source derived, the effect of both Unitarianism and Deism was to hasten the retirement of historic theology from its empire over the intellect of American leaders and to clear the atmosphere for secular interests."
As an atheist who served in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957, I was indeed shocked that a person teaching political science could write such stupid nonsense.
Her silly essay certainly needs a response. It makes about as much sense for the state to endorse monotheism as to endorse polytheism. Let the state be neutral in matters of religion as our founding fathers intended it.
As for getting rid of "In God we Trust" on our money, is our political scientist aware that our original motto was "E PLURIBUS UNUM?" God has been on our coins only since the Civil War and our paper money since the 1950s.
Which god am I supposed to be under? Which of the 20,000 gods humanity has worshiped am I to trust?
Robert E. Nordlander
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Just be glad that they don't demand human sacrifice and that most only go in for symbolic cannibalism!
I'm glad that the editorial board under Darryn Beckstrom allowed this one to be published. It shows a commitment to allowing both sides of this issue to be stated.
This reminds me of a saying. You and I are both atheists. The only difference is that I disbelieve in one more of the infinite number of possible Gods than you.
Tell 'em what it is, Mr. Nordstrom. Word.
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Searching for excitement, power? Seeking a higher cause, one worthy of your very life?
The Campus Crusade for Cthulhu offers all this, AND MORE!
REVEL IN THE WONDERS OF THE UNDEAD GOD WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
JOIN NOW! AVOID THE PANICKED RUSH OF THE MOB LATER!
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If I worship my dog as the only true god, will I be recognized as a monotheist?
Thank you. Someone REALLY needed to say that.
Right on!
By the way, Thomas Paine is considered to have been an atheist.
Dan
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted
Her silly essay ?
could write such stupid nonsense?
definetly thoughtful and respectful.
at least you kept a cool head i suppose.
i still have yet to meet a foxhole atheist, by the way when did the airforce start using foxholes?
I was honorably discharged from the US Navy and am an atheist. Dan, I suggest reading Thomas Paine's book "The age of reason". He declares himself a deist. Even if you only read the first 70 pages, first section, its a great book. It is silly to say that there are no foxhole atheists. It's like saying there are no true christians, it's just plain ridiculous to say.