[E Rocc]

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.

Even the Founders might have been bothered by this part (as the nation was not founded on solely Christian principles, and this is clearly documented). The rest is very good.

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

-Eric

[Anamensis]

Oh boy are you going to get flamed. Freepers don't want to hear that Jefferson was a deist, even though he was. They are really maniacal on this point. Take it from a patriotic atheist who knows: you have really kicked the hornet's nest this time. Good luck, friend. I'll be rooting for you.... from a safe distance. (-;

[Drew68]

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

Well said.

[another cricket]

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

Funny but I can find no right for you not to be annoyed anyplace in the Constitution. The world is full of people who believe differently then you do. You do not have the right to make them be silent because their religious beliefs do not coincide with yours. You do not have to recite the pledge or sing the "Star-Spangled Banner". You do not have the right to keep others from doing so either no matter where they are.

a.cricket

[Mudboy Slim]

"The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious."

It's not that you have to be religious to be patriotic, but it is important to recognize that religious morality is mandatory for the functioning of a decent society based on the Power of the Individual, even if said morality is not based on one's belief in a particular religion. I think what the email was arguing against are those who come in and declare their religion--i.e. agnosticism--as the only valid accompaniment fer a secular bureaucracy.

FReegards...MUD

[martian_22]

I understand your annoyance but human nature makes it unescapable.

I you look at any nation's social/cultural espressions, politics and religion are intertwined in the most secular-claiming systems.

Religion is the first great political divide and vice-versa. To me it's kind of like trying to eat one-half of a twin-popcicle without licking the juice from the other half.

Wether one is Deist or Atheist most definitely shapes their acceptance of political origins and destiny. - Not to mention doctrines. IMHO

[grumpster-dumpster]

"The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious."

I'm not trying to start a flame-war here, but I am confused by your statement. Are you suggesting the author of the editorial should have denied himself his right to express himself, as he sees fit, to appease your opinion?

IMHO the editorial was a comdemnation of the "Political Correctness" which your statement seems to worship. I would like to ask you to clarify your opinion a little so there can be no misunderstanding... Do you really believe this country was founded by men of no religious character? Or men who didn't want God to have any influence over their lives?

Again, not meant to be a flame, but please help me understand what is your real complaint?

P.S.: Will be gone for an hour or so... Thanks in advance for the reply (if you see fit).

[longjack]

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

I remember reading an essay years ago that dealt with the Christ principle in thought patterns. I believe the author was Rudolph Steiner, and I believe the title was similiar to 'The Christ Figure in Historical Perspective' or thereabouts. The essay was in the German original.

Steiner said, and I'm paraphrasing and summarizing, that analogous to the centrality of the Holy Land in the geographical context (at that time of Christ's birth), was the centrality of the Christ principle in the philosophical context. Regardless of the origin or direction of your philosophical development, you would at some point encounter and have to deal with the Christ principle.

From the little I've read of Steiner, his thinking seems to have been based on aristotelian logic, and, the few of his writings I've read weren't particularly religious.

I'm not a proponent of Steiner, and not necessarily religous, although god-fearing, but I always remember this essay when I see sentances such as yours above with the word 'annoying' in it. It's supposed to be 'annoying', and I say that in a positive sense, because you are a person who obviously wants to think through his/her beliefs. The power and, in my opinion, the beauty of the Christ principle, is that at some point, at some time, as a critically thinking person you're going to have to deal with it.

longjack

[jwalsh07]

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

Eric, there is no right in the Constitution against annoyance. There is a right to freely "exercise" religion.

Having said that I don't think that being agnostic or atheist excludes you or anybody from being a patriot.

As long as the federal government, and the states through the auspices of the infamous fourteenth amendment, do not establish a religion, then the widest latitude should be given to the principles upon which this nation was founded. Judeo/Christian principles of unalienable rights granted by the Creator and not by the state.

[Lancey Howard]

The need for some to mix religion into American patriotism is sometimes annoying to those of us who are patriotic but are not religious.

Doesn't bother me, but then I have no fear of Christianity.

What I do find annoying is the need for some people to squint real hard, switch their brain to 'stupid', and falsely claim that the Constitution says something about a "separation of church and state". These are the people who can't be trusted.

[TheBlackFeather]

Even the Founders might have been bothered by this part (as the nation was not founded on solely Christian principles, and this is clearly documented). The rest is very good.

Please provide some solid references by the founders on this, because so far I've missed all this documentation.

[TexConfederate1861]

Shall I provide you with some appropriate quotes from our Founding Fathers that dispute what you have stated?

Most of the Founding Fathers were practicing Christians, and even some that were not, such as Ben Franklin believed in invoking divine help!

Don't fall for the liberal, college, view of History!