Posted on 09/14/2001 8:31:13 AM PDT by careyb
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P.O. Box 750, MADISON, WI 53701 Contact: Annie Laurie Gaylor Statement on September 11 TerrorismActs of Terrorism the Ultimate "Faith-Based Initiative"?September 13, 2001 This statement was released by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wis.-based national association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics) working to protect the constitutional separation of church and state since 1978. Representing our national membership of freethinkers, as well as the 18.5% of U.S. citizens who are not religious, we join in the national mourning over the events on September 11, a horrible and senseless human tragedy. However, Bush's proclamation of Friday, September 14 as a "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance" shows the pitfalls of the "God is on our side" mentality, and the dangers of religious patriotism. While it may be natural for religious persons to turn to religion or prayer for solace, it is not the role of the President of the United States, or his spokespersons, to urge citizens to pray, to go to church, to turn to faith, or to observe a National Day of Prayer with worship. In fact, it appears that the terrorist disasters of September 11 may well have been the ultimate "faith-based initiative." These terrorists apparently expected to find a reward "in heaven" and were bent on starting a "holy war" with our nation. Our country should not fall into the trap of religious terrorists: Holy wars don't have solutions, they just have body counts. Religion is not the answer, it is probably the problem. As Pascal put it: "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." Prayer had its chance on September 11, and it failed. Imagine the unanswered prayers of hundreds or thousands of the victims of these terrorists. Official prayer will not solve any problems. We believe it is appropriate for President Bush to call for a Day of Remembrance, but leave prayer up to individuals. Civil War Col. Robert G. Ingersoll reminds us: "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." The nonreligious are among the victims and their families, and are represented in the ranks of the heroes, the firefighters and police officers risking or giving their lives to save others. It is offensive that the President of all Americans disregards the convictions, even the existence, of the more than 10% of the population that is not religious. The "God is on our side" mentality was responsible for these tragic acts of terrorism. We must not compound the dangers by a "One Nation Under God" response. # # For media members:
For others:
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May God hold us in his arms during these dark days!
Do these idiots really believe the President is forcing people to pray?
It is offensive that the President of all Americans disregards the convictions, even the existence, of the more than 10% of the population that is not religious.
So, it's okay to offend 90% of the population? If he is a man of faith, why shouldn't a president LEAD the nation in the way in which the MAJORITY of the people receive COMFORT?
Sheesh.
I sent each a private message telling them it was very easy to delete these emails. All they have to do is go to "File--delete" and they'd be gone. Then I told them I'd pray for them and their loved ones and asked God to bless them. One replied with a "Thank you." LOL.
My company decided to set up a site on our intranet to discuss the attacks and pass messages, links, and graphics.
How can you say that? How many millions of children AREN'T killed each day?
How is it your mind is so warped that you could compare our President encouraging prayer, to masturbation or watching gay porn? If you can't get a proper perspective in your life, I would recommend self-commitment to your local insane asylum.
I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I found out his class teacher taught the whole class after hearing about the attack on our country.
That may be right but those who originally had the intention to pray are doing so nonetheless and those who don't believe in prayer (or don't pray for other reasons) are not going to pray just because the president (or some other autority) says so.
Re-reading the second half of that statement, you'd think George was speaking directly to the FFRF.
Truth has a way of doing that.
Who said this?
The government should govern. Leave all else to the people.
Our "Leaders" should lead. And that's what he's doing. Do you really think our country is better off today than it was 30 years ago when more people practiced their faith more than they do today?
Who said this?
The government should govern. Leave all else to the people.
Our "Leaders" should lead. And that's what he's doing. Do you really think our country is better off today than it was 30 years ago when more people practiced their faith more than they do today?
Actually, you're wrong. They set up the Constitution to allow each state to make it's own decisions on such things as even religion. It was the intention of the founding fathers that if a state wanted a state religion, they could establish it. Only Congress could not hinder the expression of religion.
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