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Into the spiritual void
There is a movement, “Atheist Activism,” that is attempting to stop the phrase, “In God We Trust” from being placed on the new Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.
Basically, these people, self-described as good Americans, don't believe in God. They've sued to have ‘Under God’ removed from the Pledge of Allegiance and In God We Trust from our currency.
They also are upset seeing The Ten Commandments presented in American courtrooms.
I'm sure newly elected Presidents placing their hand on The Bible during Inauguration ceremonies causes sleep deprivation.
Playing devil's advocate, which is appropriate, if In God We Trust and all references to God, The Bible, are removed from American culture, where does that leave us? As a people horribly lost, morally vacant and spiritually void.
I hope their lawsuits fail at every attempt and turn.
Paul D'Argent, 37209
Send comments via e-mail to letters@nashvillecitypaper.com
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Im with you D'Argent.
Occasionally you sound rational 7 and this is one of those times.
Mr. D'Argent: Perhaps you are a traditionalist after all.
Boys: "You can take the Yankee out of the North, but not those Northern values from the Yankee".
...and ID, what do you mean by "occasionally"?
Good morning.
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Even if this does become law, it want change my belief in God or what is the right thing to do.
There are people that go to church all the time, but that does not keep them form doing wrong.
wow, all this time waiting for an LTE and that's the best you can do???
By the way, there's some great papers on the subject of separation of church and state you should read.
I have no problem with "in god we trust"...as long as "god" isn't capitalized. The Ten Commandments in federal or state buildings would seem to me that the government is adopting that as the state religion. A big no no, don't ya think? Why not put some Islam in there as well...I'm waiting...yeah, I thought so...
Ask yourself this, gd: what would Clapton do?
gd: Out of hemmoroid creme today? If Muslims or the Nation of Islam broke away from England and came to America, fought in Civil Wars, then I have no problem seeing the Qu'ran displayed in courthouses and the US President putting his hand on it. But, not one Muslim fought for our sovereinty back in 1776. So, screw 'em.
And, when you recite the "Pledge of Alleigence", read the Ten Commandments, or say the word "God", either you feel something inside, or you don't. Sorry you don't.
Ahem...the "god" reference in the pledge of allegiance was put in during the "red scare" days...and you should really familiarize yourself with the founding of our nation, it wasn't to establish a theocracy.
The real point, that you miss, is that I guess it's ok for you to subject everyone to your religion, but if the tables are turned (yes, I went there), you have a problem. That's why it's best for the separation. It's just a good idea.
As a confirmed atheist I see things like this and it causes me ZERO concern. We don't live in a vacum, and unlike many other minorities in the US, I don't think people need to abandon all tradition of the culture, just because a few of us believe differently. Actually worrying about such minor, stupid things hurts "the cause" when there are real issues that need addressed.
Worry about teacher lead prayer in school, teaching Adam & Eve as if it were science, tax privilages for churches, etc..
dooley and idagaf, I must admit that I have to get on board D-7's train for this post. He is articulate today and makes absolute sense. When we took God out of the school system, we replace him with other G words - guns, gangs, grafitte and other graphic scense. Too bad. A little bit of God goes a long way to instill what I call a healthy fear. For instance, I love rattlesnake boots and belts, but I'm not going to tangle with a live rattlesnake. I have a healthy fear of that sucker! Keep up the good work D-7. You touched my heart today.
Captain "There are people that go to church all the time, but that does not keep them form doing wrong". They go to church to hear a spiritual message. IF the ten commandments were strictly followed, we'd live in a more civilized world. BUT just going to church alone, does not make a person become a good person or a christian automatically. It's about the heart; the motive and the deepest depths of the soul. So I'm a christian. By the strictest of christians, I'd be a remiss or "jack" christian. But by God's judgement of me, I might just make it through this life with little or no major pain and agony. I know when I do things that are "wrong" or "hateful". It's a choice. I wish I could be perfect, but Ieave that title to people like aethists and non-believers.
Tsk tsk sidney, thou shall not judge...
Anyone see the Daily show last night and how they absolutely destroyed the right, specifically Fox News, and illustrated their hypocrisy? Brilliant stuff.
I saw it. It did make FOX look pretty silly.
It's interesting how many people are offended by religion. Somewhere in the constitution, there is a right not to be offended.
Getting ready for the big game tomorrow, house? I think I'm more interested in seeing their stadium than the game...how weird...lol
Yes Dragon, it's the 69th amendment
I got talked into going to the Sounds game tomorrow night.
I'll be taking a radio with me, though.
If it were a regular season game, you couldn't get me away from the TV.
\Tsk tsk sidney, thou shall not judge...
Gdiafante, you are obviously unable to comprehend plain english; I was not judging anyone but myself and I was praising others. BUT I will comment on you: Bia-assed!
And Dragon "It's interesting how many people are offended by religion. Somewhere in the constitution, there is a right not to be offended." We live in a society that has a disease with no cure: Hypersensitivity Politically Correct Overly Cautious Gonna Getcha' Disease otherwise known as HPCOCGGD or Hipcogged! LMAO (wish I could "laugh it off"; oh if it were that easy to lose pounds, I'd laugh 24/7).
BY sid: "I wish I could be perfect, but Ieave that title to people like aethists and non-believers."
I believe that is called "judging", Sid. Consider yourself corrected.
Here goes the table again...wheeeee...
to every table...turn, turn, turn...there is a reason...turn, turn, turn...
lol
I heard that Fisher slammed Schefter for the Harrison story. lol...
Yeah, Schefter don't need no stinkin' facts.
Well said Big Papa
Let's talk about something we can all agree on.
Why has the media refused to follow up on Bredesen's "party bunker" and the millions of tax dollars wasted on this and the refurbishment of the mansion.
I realize "some" private money was used but they could have bought a brand new place for half of what they have spent so far.
What about the bunker?
I will fight for everyones to right to beleave in what ever they want. But I will fight harder if that belief tells me how I am to beleave.
Not beleave in God is in itself a belief.
gd: You've either been listening to the "White Album" backwards too many times or started dropping that acid you were warned to stay away from at Woodstock.
I do not care who injected the word(s) "In God We Trust" or "Under God", or "So Help Me God" into America's vernacular. I like it, legal or illegal. Look at the state of affairs in America today. You cannot say it's in the shi*tter because we referrence "God" too much. It's the opposite...we referrence God too little.
Athiests are a joke, and maybe God is laughing...but I wouldn't count on it.
slacker:
You ask me yesterday if the short man was a wrestler. He thinks he is. He also thinks he is a ploit and cowboy amoung other things. lol
I think God laught alot and cries a lot when it comes to man and his doings.
Dargent,
I hope this doesn't cause you concern but...
I concur with your letter. BTW, if we could no longer put our hands on the bible to swear in, then how would one determine if you were lying under oath (as you wouldn't BE under oath) in a court of law?
Ok....dargent likes it so it should be so. LOL
I'm so glad that Dargent solved our country's ills with one good sentence..."we reference god too little"...that certainly explains our horrendous educational system...kids don't know math because they are taught the Pythagorean Theorum rather than god's obsession with the numbers 7 and 40...who knew?
Nemo,
Well, at least you believe in God! LOL
Gdia,
Well gee, I guess there is no correlation between all the problems we have in our schools (shootings, etc) and our losing the ability to pray there.
Or better yet, if they would allow prayer in school maybe god could raise those test scores a little...
GD: I much rather fancied "Avagadro's Number" than Pythagoren.
That's right Chief, no correlation. Glad you agree.
new
By: chiefpayne568 on 8/20/09 at 9:21
Nemo,
Well, at least you believe in God! LOL
*******************************************************************************************
So beleaveing in God is a laughing matter to you.
Just as I though. You are a low life and a hypocrite.
have got to go to work now.
Yeah, when we had prayer in school we did sooooo much better. Just ask the Cherokees or the Nisei/Sensei citizens. And of course the "thou shalt not steal" of Texas, California, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawai'i etc
Dargent, I'm partial to Pythagorus because of the work he did with musical tuning/frequencies.
If religion (and let's be plain, we're talking about Christianity here) was such an important part of our founding fathers lives, then why Article VI of the Constitution which states....
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."...
or why no mention of Jesus in ANY of our founding documents?
The founding fathers understood that religion, more than any other thing, was such a personal thing that a fair and unbiased government framework could never be able to deal with all faiths. They saw the effects of theocracies and knew the inherent dangers of explicit connections between ANY religion and ANY government.
OMG... nemo, I hope you don't mean Little Jimmy Dickens, I'm a fan.
Thomas Paine was one of our founding fathers. Read what he had to say on the matter.
Brrrrk, there is a profound difference between religion and faith. They recognized the importance of faith and tried to instill protections such that all people are free to practice the religion of their choice. Ergo, you can not discriminate based on a person's religion and the government can not interfere (see establishment clause) with that freedom.
This concept has been corrupted into a freedom FROM religion, where some clamor for the elimination of any faith practice or exposure within the public realm. The founding fathers would vigorously protect the inclusion of God in the hearts and minds of public servants, rather than chase them into a closet where they can only practice their religion in secret, lest it offend someone.
Dragon said:
" rather than chase them into a closet where they can only practice their religion in secret, . "
Jesus said:
"But thou, when thou prayest , enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly .
By: Dragon on 8/20/09 at 9:44
This concept has been corrupted into a freedom FROM religion....The founding fathers would vigorously protect the inclusion of God in the hearts and minds of public servants, rather than chase them into a closet where they can only practice their religion in secret, lest it offend someone.
oh, that is so not true. having a secular government does not mean that people would have to practice their religion in secret. that is just not logical or correct.
nice, Kosh.
8~)