Dismantle YOUR religion for ME!

[Ó Cathasaigh]

As we all know, in the United States, there is an almost constant battle between Athiests and...otherwise religious persons about displaying their religion in public. So, what we basicaly have here....is Athiests etc, trying to dismantle the religions of others because they don't agree with showing these symbols in the public or on government property.

For instance, they want people to get rid of a "statue" of the 10 commandments in front of a courthouse. This is kind of rediculous to me. For one, the 10 commandments are what our laws are founded on! Now, if they said, "Commandment 3. PRAISE JESUS!" on the statue, then I'd probably agree with them to take it down, but no.
Another Example, an Athiest wants us to remove "In God We Trust" from our money. Why? Is it realy that important to your beleifs or lack there of to waste loads of time and energy creating new currency?
In this country we have "freedom of religion". It doesn't say, "Freeom of religion...as long as you keep it behind closed doors away from Federal buildings or off the money".

If I told you I was a member of a certain religion known as "Religianity" thats soul beleif was that there is not a single Atheist on earth. Would it be acceptable for me to say, "Okay, according to my beleifs I don't want to see a single athiest EVER, or else i'll sue"?

Just kicking some thoughts around.

Feed me some Feedback.

[Tom Paine]

Let me put it like this. When your country is meant to, according to your Constitution (Bill of Rights but still);

make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

then any move which may be such to alter or remove this from its truth or abrogate it should be countered strongly. And its also a backlash from the hard religiosity of the nation (ID anyone?); you don't see it in the UK, in part because in the UK we don't have such a religious control, despite actually having a state religion.

[.Socrates]

I'm fine with atheists saying what they believe, and doing anything they want. I don't want our money being changed. I just spend it, and no one is really offended. It might be different for other schools but where I live no one cares if you do the Pledge of Allegiance. Hell, you can even skip "Under God", a few of the kids do, since they are atheist/agnostic. The statue should be kept where it is. There are more religious people than atheist/agnostic people in the world. The building is just there. So what if it has the ten commandments? It's not forcing anything on you, so you shouldn't worry about it. If it was nude and you have something against that, that would be something totally different.

[Tom Paine]

f it was nude and you have something against that, that would be something totally different.

Why? No really; what's the difference between the Ten Commandments and piece of nude architecture, in reality?

[.Socrates]

Why? No really; what's the difference between the Ten Commandments and piece of nude architecture, in reality?

Concered parents might find it "too revealing" for their young children's eyes.
They would be fine with a clothed person holding the ten commandments, since it's, well, just the ten commandments.

[Tom Paine]

Concered parents might find it "too revealing" for their young children's eyes.
They would be fine with a clothed person holding the ten commandments, since it's, well, just the ten commandments.

Ah, but these same parents would therefore want all naked statuary out of museums etc, and can we see that happening? Its just not on to apply that sort of double standard; a nude statue will not pervert a child's mind.

[.Socrates]

Ah, but these same parents would therefore want all naked statuary out of museums etc, and can we see that happening? Its just not on to apply that sort of double standard;

Who said that the parents would want statues in a museum covered up? They don't have to visit a museum, yet they HAVE to go by the statue that is outdoors, frequently if it's somewhere that they have to pass to get the child somewhere.

a nude statue will not pervert a child's mind.

Ahh, that might be true. But when have parents ever listened to what the opinion of a child's is? They "wouldn't understand" the subject at hand.

[Shaun]

Who said that the parents would want statues in a museum covered up? They don't have to visit a museum, yet they HAVE to go by the statue that is outdoors, frequently if it's somewhere that they have to pass to get the child somewhere.

What if they work in the museum? What about a school trip to the museum?

[Tom Paine]

Who said that the parents would want statues in a museum covered up? They don't have to visit a museum, yet they HAVE to go by the statue that is outdoors, frequently if it's somewhere that they have to pass to get the child somewhere.

They can take a different route, actually. And if its a matter of their personal problem with the statue they can avoid it.

Ahh, that might be true. But when have parents ever listened to what the opinion of a child's is? They "wouldn't understand" the subject at hand.

Same applies to the Ten Commandments. Who says it won't make them religious?

[Ó Cathasaigh]

But what if the money had refrences to Allah?

I probably wouldn't mind, for Allah is supposed to be the Same God I worship, just different name.

No, but you DO have separation of church and state, which tells exactly to keep your religion out of official business.

Actualy this can be debatable, as myself and many others beleive that this is supposed to keep the state out of the Churches buisiness. We didn't want anymore Henry VIII's hopping in to just change the church for his own benifit because he could do it.

it puts the ten commandments in front of their courts

In my opinion, it is a symbol of Law and Order and therefore perfectly justified in being there.

"In God we trust" on their banknotes?

The counry was founded by White Christian men who put references of God in early Government documents. We can't just shred those because some people Don't beleive in God.

And what do yo mean that there isnt a single atheist on earth? I am one.

It's my little way of showing an Athiest what it feels like. Athiest like to say "I don't beleive there is a God" when I "know" there is and they make it so I can't even see a symbol of him in public. It's the same as me saying "there are no athiests" when you Know there are.
I hope I didn't complicate that further, lol.

How can they be perceived to effectively judge a situation while flaunting their religious symbols?

Judges here aren't effected about what is outside their courtroom, They'll be an athiest or religious just as much if there's nothing outside.

[LSJ]

The only thing I don't like within the US about religion is how the presidents will say "God bless America". I don't think its a good thing to mix in religion with politics. If it really is just part of freedom of religion, then in theory a president could say "Shiva be with us!" as he makes a speech about a war. That wouldn't sit well with the Christian advocat groups, and they would complain. Maybe its just because most Americans are Christian that there hasn't a real debate over it so far... In any case I don't like it. And no, Im not an athiest.

Having the saying on the money doesn't cause trouble, but again I would prefer something non-religious. By having nothing about religion you are not saying you are athiest - you are just keeping it out of politics.
A politician should be judged by his ability and honesty, not by his religion or other stuff. The last thing imaginable in the US is an black Iraqi American, homosexual muslim woman being president (not that that has too much to do with the topic, except for the muslim part) Thats an issue for every country though...

Also, I don't know what could be so bad about having the ten commandments at a court house. They aren't about religion - they're simply logical human ethics.

[MaximiIian]

Csince it's, well, just the ten commandments.

It's not "just the ten commandments". It's religious laws. In a secular country, religious laws should have no bearing on real law.
And saying that the ten commandments is the basis of our country's laws is just plain ignorant. Only two of the commandments are actually laws: don't kill and don't steal. We could've figured that out without religion anyway: "Hey, don't steal my stuff, and I won't kill you, and vice versa, okay?"

[CaptainCernick]

As we all know, in the United States, there is an almost constant battle between Athiests and...otherwise religious persons about displaying their religion in public. So, what we basicaly have here....is Athiests etc, trying to dismantle the religions of others because they don't agree with showing these symbols in the public or on government property.

For instance, they want people to get rid of a "statue" of the 10 commandments in front of a courthouse. This is kind of rediculous to me. For one, the 10 commandments are what our laws are founded on! Now, if they said, "Commandment 3. PRAISE JESUS!" on the statue, then I'd probably agree with them to take it down, but no.
Another Example, an Athiest wants us to remove "In God We Trust" from our money. Why? Is it realy that important to your beleifs or lack there of to waste loads of time and energy creating new currency?
In this country we have "freedom of religion". It doesn't say, "Freeom of religion...as long as you keep it behind closed doors away from Federal buildings or off the money".

If I told you I was a member of a certain religion known as "Religianity" thats soul beleif was that there is not a single Atheist on earth. Would it be acceptable for me to say, "Okay, according to my beleifs I don't want to see a single athiest EVER, or else i'll sue"?

Just kicking some thoughts around.

Feed me some Feedback.

This is a battle that is also fought over here in Europe. Remember the headshawls in France?
It certainly is a difficult debate. IMO, people are allowed to express their belief, but not while they are in public office, for example, a judge, police officer or president. How can they be perceived to effectively judge a situation while flaunting their religious symbols?

For instance, they want people to get rid of a "statue" of the 10 commandments in front of a courthouse. This is kind of rediculous to me. For one, the 10 commandments are what our laws are founded on! Now, if they said, "Commandment 3. PRAISE JESUS!" on the statue, then I'd probably agree with them to take it down, but no.
Another Example, an Athiest wants us to remove "In God We Trust" from our money. Why? Is it realy that important to your beleifs or lack there of to waste loads of time and energy creating new currency?

In the USA, as in most Western countries, there is separation of church and state. Which means that it's basically not the state's business what goes on in church and not church's business what goes on in a state. Now, how can a country claim to separate religious and political matters when it puts the ten commandments in front of their courts and "In God we trust" on their banknotes?

In this country we have "freedom of religion". It doesn't say, "Freeom of religion...as long as you keep it behind closed doors away from Federal buildings or off the money".

No, but you DO have separation of church and state, which tells exactly to keep your religion out of official business.

[Shaun]

As we all know, in the United States, there is an almost constant battle between Athiests and...otherwise religious persons about displaying their religion in public. So, what we basicaly have here....is Athiests etc, trying to dismantle the religions of others because they don't agree with showing these symbols in the public or on government property.

For instance, they want people to get rid of a "statue" of the 10 commandments in front of a courthouse. This is kind of rediculous to me. For one, the 10 commandments are what our laws are founded on! Now, if they said, "Commandment 3. PRAISE JESUS!" on the statue, then I'd probably agree with them to take it down, but no.
Another Example, an Athiest wants us to remove "In God We Trust" from our money. Why? Is it realy that important to your beleifs or lack there of to waste loads of time and energy creating new currency?
In this country we have "freedom of religion". It doesn't say, "Freeom of religion...as long as you keep it behind closed doors away from Federal buildings or off the money".

If I told you I was a member of a certain religion known as "Religianity" thats soul beleif was that there is not a single Atheist on earth. Would it be acceptable for me to say, "Okay, according to my beleifs I don't want to see a single athiest EVER, or else i'll sue"?

Just kicking some thoughts around.

Feed me some Feedback.

Well i am an atheist, and am not constantly at war with religious people. I believe in a free country, so trying to abolish certian religions would be hypocritical of me, wouldnt it?

But what if the money had refrences to Allah?

And what do yo mean that there isnt a single atheist on earth? I am one.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Okay, let's say fish then? as Fish was a the first symbol of Christ, why are we allowed to eat it in the US? It's a religious symbol, surely it should be kept out of the publics eye, ESPECIALY if it's anywhere near a govt. building.

[Tom Paine]

Okay, let's say fish then? as Fish was a the first symbol of Christ, why are we allowed to eat it in the US? It's a religious symbol, surely it should be kept out of the publics eye, ESPECIALY if it's anywhere near a govt. building.

It used to be a symbol of Christianity but has lost that meaning in effect.

[Lasher]

As we all know, in the United States, there is an almost constant battle between Athiests and...otherwise religious persons about displaying their religion in public. So, what we basicaly have here....is Athiests etc, trying to dismantle the religions of others because they don't agree with showing these symbols in the public or on government property.

Also the removal of the cross atop the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorialhttp://www.soledadmemorial.com/news.html?nw_id=14
I think it's a horrible thing to get rid of history and heritage for the sake of political correctness. I wouldn't care if our founding fathers were Satanist and had a giant pentagram on money or the flag. Also people refusing to stand and should respect during the plead of allegiance because of the word "god". *gasp* A disgrace imo. This is coming from a person who is a devout Atheist.

Also why are most Atheist so intolerant of other peoples religions? A few prime explains on this forum.

Off topic

The last thing imaginable in the US is an black Iraqi American

No such thing as a black Iraqi.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

ah, but there are thousands of "Jesus Fish" upon the cars of Americans. You'll see them everywhere here, it's not lost it's symbolism at all.

[Lasher]

ah, but there are thousands of "Jesus Fish" upon the cars of Americans. You'll see them everywhere here, it's not lost it's symbolism at all.

I don't think Chrisitians should be allowed to eat fish near Atheist!

Like this story about a intolerant Christian eating PORK!!!
http://www.local6.com/money/3614199/detail.html

[Lord Tomyris]

ah, but there are thousands of "Jesus Fish" upon the cars of Americans. You'll see them everywhere here, it's not lost it's symbolism at all.

Indeed, we still see lots of Christian Fish around Britain as well! Crosses are easily more popular though, of course; for one, you don't make tombstones in the shape of fish!