Question for Atheists

[piney]

A question regarding President Elect Obama. He closes his speeches with "God Bless the United States of America".

Personally, I like it. I believe in God, love my country, think the USA needs all the help it can get right now.

But today after listening to him, I began to wonder if anyone is bothered by it. If you don't believe in God is this offensive to you?

 

[legalsea]

Not a bit. I also enjoy earning and spending money with "In God We Trust" on it.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

It's not that I believe in God, but it's not that I don't either.

I just don't know. And tend to lean towards...no.

It dosen't offend me, but it makes me think..hmm..shouldn't there be a seperation btwn what someone personally believes and their position to lead the country.
I think it should be left out. COMPLETLEY.

That said, I will forgive Obama. I think he has great things planned for us.

 

[mom2rb]

As long he doesn't pass any laws based one what "god wants", I don't care how he ends his speeches.

 

[bumbershoot]

I try to not listen to politicians, so I hadn't heard that. He seems like he'll keep his personal stuff out of official things, or at least try, so I'm not overly worried. Then again, I'm not really atheist...somewhere between atheist and agnostic. Must come up with a word for that.

 

[lisadr]

As long he doesn't pass any laws based one what "god wants", I don't care how he ends his speeches.

HECK YEAH!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It bothers me a little.
On the other hand, if some entity is wiling and able to bless this nation I suppose I should just take the blessing and get on with it.

 

[MushyMushy]

Nope.

But if he tried to force me to end any speeches with that in it, then we'd have a problem.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I wondered about that as well, since many supporters of Obama I've encountered seem to be hostile towards religion in general and Christianity in particular.

 

[Handbag Lady]

A question regarding President Elect Obama. He closes his speeches with "God Bless the United States of America".

Personally, I like it. I believe in God, love my country, think the USA needs all the help it can get right now.

But today after listening to him, I began to wonder if anyone is bothered by it. If you don't believe in God is this offensive to you?

I'm agnostic and no, I don't mind at all. Someone needs to bless this country, it might as well be God.

I actually LIKE it when I'm around people with iron-clad beliefs, too. I can't go there myself but I'm so glad it gives peace to others in their times of need.

 

[daisax]

I believe in God, and Obama does, but I also know that the first President who stops saying that is going to take so much grief that it won't be worth the scandal, so Presidents will continue saying it even if they consider it a meaningless figure of speech.

 

[themarquis]

I think most of us athiests are pretty used to hearing all the god stuff in government ("god bless America", "in god we trust", "one nation under god", etc.)

Personally, I think it's problematic (particularly for non-Christians), as well as completely unnecessary to the operation of good government.

But I don't get upset about it every time I hear it, no. It doesn't make me feel differently about Obama, either. I think he sort of has to talk that way or people would pitch a fit.

 

[Disney Ella]

Doesn't bother me. As long as you don't try to force your religion on me, you can say anything you want.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'm agnostic. No, it doesn't bother me. I don't have a problem with others engaging in their faith. More power to them.

 

[TheZue]

Doesn't bother me at all. Making him stop saying that would be JUST as offensive as forcing me to say it. I'm secure enough in my non belief that I'm not bothered by any of that stuff.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I wondered about that as well, since many supporters of Obama I've encountered seem to be hostile towards religion in general and Christianity in particular.

Really? I hadn't noticed that. You'd think they wouldn't want a Christian president if they were that hostile toward Christianity.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Really? I hadn't noticed that. You'd think they wouldn't want a Christian president if they were that hostile toward Christianity.

That's what I would think too, and I've found it odd all along. It seems as Obama's Christianity is glossed over. Of course, the church he was part of for years isn't really what his supporters want to talk about....

 

[wvjules]

"God Bless the United States of America" will be soon be replaced with "I Bless the United States of America."

Heck, we already have Obama-pop. (Pepsi) I'm waiting for the 24 Obama network...oh wait, that's MSNBC.

I'm more agnostic than atheist but no it doesnt' bother me either.

 

[lisadr]

I wondered about that as well, since many supporters of Obama I've encountered seem to be hostile towards religion in general and Christianity in particular.

No just hostile toward people who try to shove their religion down my throat. Oh! and those who think they have the market cornered on goodness because they go to church every Sunday.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

"God Bless the United States of America" will be soon be replaced with "I Bless the United States of America."

Heck, we already have Obama-pop. (Pepsi) I'm waiting for the 24 Obama network...oh wait, that's MSNBC.

I'm more agnostic than atheist but no it doesnt' bother me either.