Question for Atheists

[wonderlanne]

my friends, santosh (u.s. citizen for 19 years) and saritha (u.s. citizen for 8 years) tell me this:

hindu: saritha considers "under god" in the pledge to mean her hindu god(s) "representation" bhagavan and ishvar, and something about personal traits, creator, and destroyer (?)...i don't understand it all but she says "under god" to her means that to her, not the christian god.

also hindu: santosh says it would be the same thing as saritha said, but he does not practice his religion and so he figures "under god" means the christian god. he said he doesn't care, his children were born here and they say the pledge the way it is, because they believe in "live and let live".

that's all i can give you right now.

 

[Uncle Remus]

God means imaginary friend to me.

 

[wonderlanne]

God means imaginary friend to me.

me too.

 

[Planogirl]

Personally I don't know what I believe. I'm just not sure if the words "under God" or "God bless America" are really that big a deal. It doesn't bother me if others say them because I just feel like they are speaking for themselves and that's fine. I'm not even sure if the government using them means that much because it seems like such a small thing in the overall picture.

It could also be that if I was an Atheist or a Wiccan or a member of any other belief system that didn't believe in God that I might feel differently. I respect those who feel that the phrases have no place but I personally can't get that worked up about it.

Now laws involving religious beliefs? I'm all over that like a rabid dog.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

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?

Since the First Amendment lets him say whatever he wishes (unless it is akin to "Fire!" in a crowded theater), why would anyone want to deny him his Constitutional right to free speech?

 

[GeorgeG]

NOW i see the pyramid!!! that is soooo neat that you performed there.

I can die happy...

 

[wonderlanne]

I can die happy...

i can imagine! i've always wanted to be a snowflake in the christmas parade. then i'll die happy too.

 

[perla75]

As an agnostic, Obama's "God bless the USA" in his speeches doesn't bother me at all.

Really, how is this different than how every other president has ended their speeches???

I haven't read the replies to this thread, but I think the topic is sort of silly...

 

[piney]

Since the First Amendment lets him say whatever he wishes (unless it is akin to "Fire!" in a crowded theater), why would anyone want to deny him his Constitutional right to free speech?

I agree. I just wanted to know if it bothered those who do not believe in God. I have found a very nice bunch of people here with open minds and hearts. Sorry if anyone found the topic "silly", I was just starting a discussion on a "discussion board". I have seen much sillier topics posted here.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I agree. I just wanted to know if it bothered those who do not believe in God. I have found a very nice bunch of people here with open minds and hearts. Sorry if anyone found the topic "silly", I was just starting a discussion on a "discussion board". I have seen much sillier topics posted here.

Amen!!

 

[DisneyMomOK]

I have seen much sillier topics posted here.

I sometimes wonder how people can type while , considering some of the subjects addressed.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree. I just wanted to know if it bothered those who do not believe in God. I have found a very nice bunch of people here with open minds and hearts. Sorry if anyone found the topic "silly", I was just starting a discussion on a "discussion board". I have seen much sillier topics posted here.

Not to mention that the silly subjects sometimes lead to even sillier fights.

 

[piney]

Not to mention that the silly subjects sometimes lead to even sillier fights.