Posted on 01/14/2005 3:32:57 PM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - An atheist group is criticizing President Bush for saying he can't see how one can be president without a relationship with the Lord. Bush's comments were "divisive," they say, and an insult to those who don't believe in religious creeds or a deity.
Bush's interview with the Washington Times "demonstrates clearly that he does not respect the diversity of the country, and the fact that nonbelievers and so-called 'seculars' are one of the fastest growing segments of American society," said Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists.
"He just doesn't get it," said Johnson, "and he seems to ignore the fact that in our Constitution we do not have a religious test for those seeking public office."
When Washington Times' editor-in-chief Wesley Pruden asked him about the role of prayer in next week's inauguration and what he thinks is the proper role of his personal faith in the public arena, Bush said: "First of all, I will have my hand on the Bible. I read the article today, and I don't - it's interesting, I don't think faith is under attack.
"I think there are some who worry about a president who is faith-based, a person who openly admits that I accept the prayers of the people, trying to impose my will on others. I fully understand that the job of the president is and must always be protecting the great right of people to worship or not worship as they see fit," Bush said.
"That's what distinguishes us from the Taliban. The greatest freedom we have - or one of the greatest freedoms - is the right to worship the way you see fit. And on the other hand, I don't see how you can be president - at least from my perspective, how you can be president, without a - without a relationship with the Lord," he added.
Johnson was also offended by Bush's claim that the difference between America and the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan was simply "the right to worship the way you see fit."
"The real distinction between American and governments like the Taliban is that at least on paper, we have a Constitutional commitment to separation of government and religion," she said. "We have freedom of and freedom from religion."
Policies like the president's faith-based initiative or efforts to keep the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance show that Bush is dedicated to using the power of the state to advance religion, argued Dave Silverman, communications director for American Atheists.
"He wants all Americans, including over 30 million non-religious citizens, to subsidize religion-based social programs, and he wants to protect ceremonial religious rituals like the post-1954 Pledge of Allegiance," said Silverman.
Silverman accused Bush of trying to turn the government into a "religion bully."
"President Bush goes far beyond keeping his faith to himself. He's trying to turn our government into a 'religion bully' where the state enforces religious belief and religious correctness. That's un-American," he concluded.
AMEN!
You said atheists tended to be neurotic, stupid et al. As an atheist, I naturally refute anything of the sort. Newdow isn't a nutbar because he's an atheist. He's a nutbar who happens to be an atheist.
Me too!
When you arrogantly set yourself up as a greater expert on what *I* believe, than I myself am, you just look like a colossal fool. I'm pretty damned sure I have a better handle on what I believe than you do.
You are free to try to come up with a convincing argument for human rights. Other atheists have tried, and failed.
That's where you're making your biggest mistake. I don't have to come up with an argument for human rights, I only have to recognize them. I don't have to understand how gravity works to break a hip if I fall down the stairs.
Actually, with the President's resounding victory, I would suggest these people don't 'get it'.
Which is good, since imprisoning themselves in their own ignorance bodes well for future elections.
Atheists that are offended by references to God are hilarious as they are hypocrites.
Atheists dont believe in God and demand His mention be removed from all public forums.
However, many atheists dont beleive in Santa Clause either...are they demanding the same treatment for old Saint Nick?
42 years here--Thank God.
"You said atheists tended to be neurotic, stupid et al."
Neurotic and stupid are different things. I did NOT say you are stupid. Read my frickin' post!
As for neurotic, why else would you be carrying on this desperate defense of your "normality" depsite lack of faith in things unseen? It isn't worth the candle, really.
But you have some kind of abnormal need to defend yourself against an accusation I didn't even make.
That's neurotic. Live with it. It isn't fatal.
Ah, Pascal's wager. It's bad logic my friend.
I apologize for that reply; it was uncalled for on FR.
My apologies to all, for this post; it was uncalled for.
Worried again about how their kids' impressionable young minds will get confused. Why do so many of these cry-baby atheists have such dumb children?
>I've never encountered anyone who proselytizes as much as some atheists.<
Well, they've got a big job on their hands, because they are working for "the other guy".
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