Here's the back story: The American Humanists Association in Massachusetts brought a suit saying the Pledge - with the words "under God" violates the state's Equal Protection amendment.
Fox News pundit Dana Perino said she's "tired" of atheists attempting to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, adding, "if these people really don't like it, they don't have to live here."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/09/09/fox-news-...
How do you feel about this? As an atheist, I am highly offended, as you might guess. But I want to know what you think. I'm especially curious to hear opinions from religious folks.
Update:@Mark: You're response is both wrong, and ignorant.
First of all, removing someone who objects to the pledge is akin to punishing them. It's a form of alienation and discrimination. Furthermore, it reinforces the idea that you are a second-class citizen by not allowing you to participate in a patriotic display because you object to those two words.
Secondly, you confuse the fact that America is a nation with a Christian majority for it being a Christian nation. Last time I checked, there is nothing in the Constitution which specifies a national religion, or even suggests the US is based on Christian values. The idea we are a Christian nation also ignores the fact the some of our nation's first settlers came here seeking religious freedom from England and their state religion.
Thirdly, you obviously don't understand that "under God" is a recent addition to the Pledge (1954), just as the addition of "In God We Trust" to our currency is relatively
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The government has no business telling people to express a religious belief. It is flat out contrary to the principle of freedom of religion.
And @Mark is as big an idiot as is Dana Perino. This country is NOT founded upon Christian principles and, contrary to what he thinks, it is NOT a theocracy.
Added
The problem with people like him and Dana Perino is they think freedom of religion means the freedom to impose their religion upon others.
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One more point:
@Mark: "Being offended by someone expressing their right to free speech is not uncommon among people who do not love their country and God."
YOU are the one who is offended by someone expressing their right to free speech. Government-imposed speech is not free speech. Those who are speaking out against government-imposed speech are the ones expressing their right to free speech.
And your characterization of those expressing their free speech as not loving their country is contemptible.
But then, what else can be expected from someone who hates freedom of religion, except as it applies to himself, and who thinks that the principle of free speech also applies only to himself?
Dana Perino Religion
Why does Dana Perino hate our freedom of religion so much?
If she doesn’t like living with religious pluralism, then she too can leave, and take the rest of the American Taliban with her.
Fox news the station of 24/7 whining since 2008, is telling people to stop complaining or leave the country?
How ironic.
If we took this issue in America and applied it to NZ, we'd have to rewrite the whole damn national anthem (which is titled "God Defend New Zealand".) I'm kind of glad there aren't many NZ atheists who share the average US atheist view, to be honest. Most people view it symbolically. And it'd mean having to relearn the anthem again...
Then again, I'm extremely unpatriotic.
Dana is a moronic shill. The part of the pledge, "under God," wasn't part of the pledge until 1954.
I the attention seeking small groups should hold their own events or go to the bathroom and not offend those attending the event.The idea that people should leave here is OK with me. I am of American Indian decent, so I think everyone should leave OUR land and go back to their homeland!
I think equality, freedom are a great ideals but we are not meant to be equal or the individuals would not even have the option to have an opinion.Love it or leave it! Do not want to participate stay home!
Those are my thoughts and feeling on the subject to the poor humanist and atheist cry for attention.
Dana Perino is a moron.
I like how the other moron, Eric Bolling, completely ignores the question of "Was the 'under god' part added?" "Doesn't Matter".
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My Vote is for @Robin_Lionheart for her SUPERB answer.
I think the parents should ask the school to remove their child from the classroom during the pledge. Not to go so far as to remove God from the pledge. We are still, a Christian nation. Of course you are offended. The very thought of the word, 'God", entering your brain can cause fear in those who don't know Him. Being offended by someone expressing their right to free speech is not uncommon among people who do not love their country and God.
Not offended, more amused.
"If you don't like it, leave" is the attitude of an idiot and a defeatist.
It can be changed, why leave?