The original motto of the United States of America, that was part of the original Great Seal, was "E Pluribus Unum" -- literally meaning in In Unity One in Latin, signifying the bond created between the thirteen colonies. It was printed on US currency and stamped on US coins until the motto was replaced by "In God We Trust" in 1956 during the height of the cold war with the USSR. The tone of the original motto may have been too suggestive of the collectivist spirit embodied in the "godless" philosophy of the communist state.
Two years earlier, in 1954, The Pledge Of Allegiance which was originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942, was changed by adding the words "under God."
Little if any consideration was given to the atheist minority or the original secular intent of the founding fathers when these changes were made. And later as we have seen the religious right has gained even greater influence in Washington, and they have been making an even greater concerted effort to rewrite history in order to reach their religiously motivated goals. We now hear a continuous misrepresentation of the intent of the founding fathers, and a constant repetition of, "We are a Christian nation," with little consideration for people of other religions or the nonreligious.
But many doubt the Christian dominated GOP will not be satisfied until their ideas about their Christian god dominate all aspects of American life. The following video offers evidence of their growing desire for a Christian theocracy.
Pat I think, in fact I'm sure, that you are exaggerating the idea of the "religious right". And your characterization of the: "Christian dominated GOP" is laughable. I'll make you a deal: If you won't speak in such mind numbing generalities about the GOP/Christian complex, I won't belittle atheists purely because of their belief system. Deal?
ReplyDeleteNo deal. Well, I think it is a mistake to underestimate the influence of the so called "religious right" in the GOP. And although I know that some atheists can be just as pig-headed as any bible thumper it really irritates me that some GOP lawmakers presume to know what God wants all men to think and do.
ReplyDeleteThe founding fathers knew that to avoid religious conflicts and provide for freedom of beliefs, maintaining a secular state was essential.
This idea that we should just agree to disagree for the sake of harmony is ridiculous. Nothing is accomplished by avoiding conflicts of this nature. Once freedoms of thought is lost it is very hard to re-establish.
If you want to take a crack at "atheist beliefs," well, have a go at it. I think you will find you may have a lot to learn.
I would say that, certainly and obviously, the "religious right" prefers the GOP. As a result, because politicians are politicians, you will find most GOP candidates (notable exception: Ron Paul) posturing themselves into this groove of understanding towards Christian Evangelism.
ReplyDeleteIt is irritating to hear someone (like Rick Santorum) claim alignment with the founding fathers, when he is totally out-of-line with, for example, Thomas Jefferson. Perhaps one should recall that Virginia Colony was devoted to the Anglican Church by law. Thomas Jefferson fought "tooth and nail" in favor of the separation of Church and State to remove the entrenched Anglican bias in his homeland. Simply stated, it is Rick Santorum and many other GOP candidates and politicos who agree with them who are truly un-American!
Sadly, so many Americans remain ignorant of the political principles upon which our nation is founded. Are these candidates so ignorant themselves (let's leave out Bachmann, for whom the answer is a little too obvious) of America's own traditions? --Or is it more or less a case of posturing themselves for getting votes from people they actually recognize as ignorant? I think we need politicians who are not simply joiners to certain bandwagon-based principles.
Duane, I do not think the coupling of the "religious right" and the GOP could be termed laughable. I see it as a real problem. Where any group oversteps its own bounds (and not all evangelicals do this), is the point where other belief systems (and atheism is a belief system) come under attack.