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.
He should never have appologized fot the bring it on remark. Now people will see him as weak and they will be jumping on every thing he says hoping they can get him to appologize again.
You didnt mention your preference. Atheist, or Homosexual?
Not that it matters.I am not looking to save you nor date you.
What is this guy talking about? He has obviously never lived in a country where the government bullies its citizens. Our government is not being turned into a "bully" that enforces religious belief and correctness. This is simply not happening. Leaving "under God" in the pledge of allegiance is not enforcement of religious belief. Those words have been in the pledge for fifty years and nobody complained until a few years ago.
Finally I have to say that Ellen Johnson does not know much about our constitution when she says we have a "constitutional commitment to separation of government and religion." There is no such commitment in our constitution to the kind of extreme and total separation of government and religion that these atheists and the ACLU advocate. It's just mind-boggling the way the ACLU wants to remove all references to religion from all government property in America. They remind me of the Stalin regime in the old Soviet Union that tried to remove all religion from the Soviet state. The ACLU has lost its collective mind, leading to their outrageously extreme efforts to remove a cross from the LA county seal and to remove a religious plaque from Grand Canyon National Park that was a gift from a group of nuns.
The whine and complaint of the godless is music to my ears.
As I was beginning to formulate my response about others he could have said he can not imagine as president, I read your reply.
I can't imagine someone being president of the United States who is not a Republican. Divisive? Maybe.
That is what I wanted to say, but you said it first. I do however disagree with your "maybe." Its not the least bit divisive.
Hello atheists--GET OVER IT.
You want an atheist country--Go to Russia. Better, Cuba. Even better, North Korea. Help yourself. Soonest, please.
Atheist. Sexually speaking, I have children and wife I'm still hot for after 14 years.
You express clearly the motivating factors behind the atheism of most of the anti-Bush atheists. Well stated. I'm an anti-Bush atheist who is really put off by these people, who you accurately describe as being primarily motivated by anti-American socialism/communism.
I'd tell them to go to h*l, but I guess they don't believe in that either!
You're right. I take it back. ;-)
screw them all
Atheists offend me. Big deal.
I think you are only half right. I'd say got it, at least as far as their initial reaction. But then their desire to control others speech kicks in, they lie to themselves over and over, until they actually believe it.
Let them get over it!
Anytime you feel up to kicking me out, come on by. Bring friends.
Excellent idea, it has merit.
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