Do we need to pledge of alliegence in the U.S? Should it be modified?

[Mise]

Maybe "GOD" were the initials of the bank that issued the coins?

 

[skadistic]

Because God is part of the history and heritage of this nation.

So how did this non-exsistent god become a part of our history? Was he a citizen? Where is your imaginary friend mentioned in the Constitution? Bill of rights? Has every person had fairytale friends since this has been a nation? Were all the founding fathers god fearing? God is not part of the history. And it wasn't a part of the pledge.

 

[Xanikk999]

I doubt that was true. You fail to realize during that time that it was the Cold War in which Communism was associated with Atheism (case seen in religious persecution and suppression of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Soviet Union).

However, your statement about "In god we trust" being on our money starting in the 1950s is utterly false and quite inaccurate. It's been around since the US Civil War. "In god we trust" has been on the penny since 1864 with the passage of the Coinage Act or 1864.

Here is a sample of one of thoes coins from the era:

Note the "In god we trust" and the date of coinage 1864.

I didnt say 1960.

 

[MobBoss]

I don't think "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" has been amended to regard the candidacy status of the neighbor, has it?

But did he 'bear false witness'? Was this in a courtroom? Part of a lawsuit? Nope. Was Dobson under oath? Nope.

Sheesh. Why do atheists have such a hard time when christians actually give a personal opinion about something?

 

[IglooDame]

But did he 'bear false witness'? Was this in a courtroom? Part of a lawsuit? Nope. Was Dobson under oath? Nope.

So the 8th Commandment only applies to courtrooms? MobBoss, that's beyond even what I'd expect of you.

 

[MobBoss]

So the 8th Commandment only applies to courtrooms? MobBoss, that's beyond even what I'd expect of you.

Bottom line, Dobson gave his opinion. He gave his thoughts, he didnt lie about Thompson. I know you atheists have a hard time with opinion, but I hope you are able to tell the difference.

If not, then /oh well.

 

[Guangxi]

when was it ever needed?

 

[GenMarshall]

I didnt say 1960.

You did say "60s", did you not?

The funny thing is that these were added by christian fundamentalists in the 50s/60s and it wasnt in the pledge or on our money earlier.

60s is the same as saying 1960s.

 

[Bill3000]

So the 8th Commandment only applies to courtrooms? MobBoss, that's beyond even what I'd expect of you.

Technically speaking, the 10 Commandments only apply to Jews.

 

[warpus]

Technically speaking, the 10 Commandments only apply to Jews.

Can we call them Judaists instead? Has a nice ring to it.

 

[bhsup]

You do not have to. Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, in this nation are you required by any government agency to recite the Pledge of Allegience. Nowhere.



Really, nowhere.


As no....NOWHERE.

EDIT: Criminy, this was in reply to a post I forgot to quote. Someone was stating they shouldn't have to recite it.

 

[Bill3000]

You do not have to. Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, in this nation are you required by any government agency to recite the Pledge of Allegience. Nowhere.



Really, nowhere.


As no....NOWHERE.

EDIT: Criminy, this was in reply to a post I forgot to quote. Someone was stating they shouldn't have to recite it.

Only since 2006.

 

[JollyRoger]

Technically speaking, the 10 Commandments only apply to Jews.

Yep. Why do we want to import all that foreign law into the United States? The Conservatives have a fit anytime a Supreme Court Justice cites foreign law in their opinion.

 

[Perfection]

Why? You dont respect the opinions of the majority. So quid pro quo.

I respect the opinions of the majority and minority.

Who is questioning your loyalty?

The pledge of allegence is all about loyalty to the United States.

Sorry, but its just a fact that the USA and religion are joined at the hip in just too many ways to ignore. Even as an atheist, you have 'god given inalienable rights'.....does that mean you want to waive your rights since they are perceived as being 'god given'?

I don't advocating ingoring the religious impact on the United States, just pointing out that you can have allegiance to the United States without the belief in God. The pledge should reflect this.

Not at all. Listen you want to create your own version of an atheist plymouth rock somewhere go right ahead. Draw up your constitution and bill of rights utterly devoid of God what-so-ever and be happy. But thats not what happened here. So please, stop trying to change my country...I like it the way it is.

The Bill of Rights IIRC is devoid of religious notion. The only one that really uses it is the declaration of indepencance and the argument works about as well without an appeal to a creatior

 

[JollyRoger]

Not at all. Listen you want to create your own version of an atheist plymouth rock somewhere go right ahead. Draw up your constitution and bill of rights utterly devoid of God what-so-ever and be happy. But thats not what happened here. So please, stop trying to change my country...I like it the way it is.

Uh, we have, it's called the United States Constitution. If you want one referencing a higher power, perhaps you would be happier in Iran.

 

[Phlegmak]

You do not have to. Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, in this nation are you required by any government agency to recite the Pledge of Allegience. Nowhere.



Really, nowhere.


As no....NOWHERE.

What! So what the hell did I recite it 4000 times from 1st grade to the end of high school for?? So those bastards were breaking the law???

EDIT: Now that I reread your post, you were talking about government agencies. Isn't that completely irrelevant? Who was talking about government agencies in this thread?

 

[mdwh]

Considering that about 80-90% of the USA claims to be Christian, do you think that has any basis in reality? No.

It's a hypothetical question.

But as for myself, if the pledge did indeed include those words, I wouldnt say them.

And you wouldn't object or be bothered? Fair enough.

 

[mdwh]

So, what is smarter? Pissing off 80-90% of your population over a couple of little words or the very small section of activist atheists? You figure it out.

How about we insert the words "There is no God", whilst keeping "Under God" in. That way, people can simply not say the bits they don't agree with (weak atheists will say neither, I guess), and everybody is happy!

 

[Xanikk999]

Mobboss if you wouldnt say the pledge over such a silly thing then that means you are really not as loyal to your country as you say you are.

And you call yourself a former soldier? PTU! I spit on your medals (if any).

 

[MobBoss]

Uh, we have, it's called the United States Constitution. If you want one referencing a higher power, perhaps you would be happier in Iran.

No...but I am rather tired of atheists complaining that living in American is like living in Iraq because of things like the Pledge. Its not anywhere close.