Response to "God Bless America" - pass around
"God Bless America"
www.pearlharborsurvivorsonline.org/html/GOD%20BLESS%20AMERICA.htm
I get things like this once in a while in a fwd from family members usually around election time. Such is the case here. The last time I saw something like this was around the 2004 elections. After I received it in 2004, I organized a response which still holds true since what they are passing around hasn't changed at all. It's essentially exactly the same - even this:
"It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!! "
Here's an opportunity for me to update what I did 4 years ago. Here's what they don't seem to be aware of, THE FACTS:
First of all, the first six US Presidents never finished any public speech with "God Bless America."
The fact is that the words "under God" weren't part of the original pledge. They were added in 1954. Supporters of the new wording said it would set the United States apart from godless communism. The original Pledge was published in 1892. It was written by Francis Bellamy, a socialist, thirty-seven year old, ex-Baptist Minister. The original pledge read as:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all"
After a few small changes ("my Flag" to "the Flag of the United States of America") the Pledge stood for a half a century. Then, in 1954 the Cold War started moving into its most intense period. The United States' deep hostility toward communism caused the "Red Scare" to pervade our society. Seizing the opportunity, Senator Joseph McCarthy spearheaded what is now recognized as one of the most shameful epochs of our history. McCarthy looked to demonize any and all whom he disliked by branding them communists. Then, as often happens when pounding the drums of patriotism, religious piety gets mixed in with being a true patriot.
"In god we trust" on the U.S. $1 -
In 1955, Congress passed a law requiring that "In God We Trust" appear on all U.S. coins and currency. The first paper currency with the motto appeared in 1957. This was right after the McCarthy era, during the early Cold War, when no congressperson would dare be seen voting against "God." "In God We Trust" did appear occasionally on a few coins, starting with a 2-cent piece in the 1860s, in an attempt (it is surmised) to put "God" on the side of the north during the Civil War. In 1956, an Act of Congress adopted "In God We Trust" as a national motto. The original motto, "E Pluribus Unum" ("out of many, [come] one,") celebrating plurality, still appears on the Presidential Seal and on some paper currency.
"14%" - Freethinkers, all together, out number any one religious denomination!
"86%" - We have laws that protect minorities from any Tyranny of any majority. No one has any right to tell anyone else to sit down & shut-up. That would be breaking the First Amendment, which includes the Freedom of Speech.
All too often, people misunderstand "separation of church and state" & the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, what it is, what it means & why it was created in the first place.
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"
The U.S. Constitution is a wholly secular & legal document. It contains no mention of Jesus Christ, Christianity or god. In fact, the Constitution refers to religion only twice –in the First Amendment, which bars laws "respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and in Article VI, which prohibits "religious tests" for public office. Both of these provisions are evidence that the country was not founded as officially Christian (which version or denomination out of thousands?).
Our nation was founded as a secular government, based on the authority of "We, the People," not a god, king, or dictator. The U.S.A. is the first nation in history to separate church and state. And for very good reasons too.
Separation of church and state is the only principle that can ensure religious and philosophical freedom for all Americans. Church-state separation does not mean hostility toward religion. Rather, it means that the government will remain neutral on religious questions, leaving decisions about God, faith and house of worship attendance in the hands of its citizens.
The results of Americas policy of church-state separation can be seen all around us: Thanks to separation of church and state, Americans enjoy an unparalleled amount of religious freedom. In some nations, churches remain dependent upon government for support and aid. Religious life in these nations is often devitalized, and many churches are near empty on Sundays.
Other countries merge religion and government into theocracies. Religious liberty cannot flourish under that system either; attempt by the government to enforce a version of religious orthodoxy foster only repression. By contrast, religious liberty has flourished in America and separation of church and state can take the credit.
Today we are an open and free society of nearly 300 million Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Pagans, Secular Humanists, American Indians and many others. All live side by side in harmony. All have the freedom to proclaim their views. All enjoy the right to worship or not worship unmolested by government officials or state-appointed religious leaders. All are equal in the eyes of the government.
To oppose the separation of church & state is therefore to oppose the First Amendment, the US Constitution & is thusly, one of the most UN-American, unpatriotic, hypocritical things one could do as an American who supposedly values Freedom & Democracy.
Theocracy is another weapon of mass destruction.
It's time that people know the facts. Here's some recommended reading.
Please take the quizzes:
1. Separation of church & state quiz
2. The Bible quiz
www.ffrf.org/quiz/
Enjoy these must see VIDEOS
1. "Life and Liberty for All Who Believe"
2. "The Rise of Dominionism"
www.theocracywatch.org/audio-video.htm
Other Great websites:
www.au.org/site/PageServer
"The United States: A Country founded on Paganism"
www.nobeliefs.com/pagan.htm
U.S. Treasury Department FACT SHEET "in god we trust" - History
www.ustreas.gov/education/...-trust.html
history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm Pledge History
restorethepledge.com/
Senator Joseph R. McCarthy - audio
www.gpo.gov/congress/sen...e12cp107.html
www.americanrhetoric.com/speec...y.html
The U.S. Constitution, The Declaration of Independence & The Bill of Rights:
memory.loc.gov/ammem/constRedir.html
thomas.loc.gov/
www.cato.org/ - Get your pocket Constitution before it's to late.
----------
This website suggests that because Moses is placed in an architectural embellishment of the Supreme Court it means America is a Christian nation.
www.pearlharborsurvivorsonline.org/html/GOD%20BLESS%20AMERICA.htm
The fact is that there are actually 18 lawgivers: Menes, Hammurabi, Moses, Solomon, Lycurgus, Solon, Draco, Confucius, Augustus, Justinian, Mohammed, Charlemagne, King John, St. Louis, Hugo Grotius, William Blackstone, John Marshall, and Napoleon.
The tablets Moses is holding are blank. The oak doors inside the court only contain roman numerals. Not one time are the actual words of the 10 Commandments reproduced in the Supreme Court building in full. No sign anywhere that the Judaeo-Christian religion is above any other. candst.tripod.com/tnppage/arg8a.htm
About the 10 Commandments fiasco
A Constitution that conforms to Biblical Law will rely on the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament as its guiding source. Dominionist lawmakers are trying to pass legislation in various state legislatures that would allow government posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings.
The first four Commandments are theological directives-they have nothing to do with morality or ethics and are unconstitutional. What is the real motivation behind the Ten Commandments campaign? The Ten Commandments are the foundation of Biblical Law, so placing them in public buildings has great symbolic value to Christians. It represents the supremacy of the Bible over the U.S. Constitution. The principle of religious liberty has become the legal tool used to make the U.S. Constitution conform to Biblical Law.
www.theocracywatch.org/biblic...htm#Ten
Also there are 3 versions of the 10 Commandments - Hebrew, Catholic and Protestant. www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm
"Why The Ten Commandments Shouldn't Be Posted In Government Buildings"
www.au.org/site/PageServer
"What's Wrong With the Ten Commandments?"
ffrf.org/nontracts/10comm.php
“When you consider that God could have commanded anything he wanted--anything!--the Ten [Commandments] have got to rank as one of the great missed moral opportunities of all time. How different history would have been had he clearly and unmistakably forbidden war, tyranny, taking over other people’s countries, slavery, exploitation of workers, cruelty to children, wife-beating, stoning, treating women--or anyone--as chattel or inferior beings.”
~ Katha Pollitt
"A profession that we are a nation "under God" is identical, for Establishment Clause purposes, to a profession that we are a nation "under Jesus," or a nation "under Vishnu," a nation "under Zeus," or a nation "under no god," because none of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion."
~ Judge Alfred T. Goodwin, 2002 the Ninth Circuit Court, in Newdow v. United States Congress
;
"God Bless America"
www.pearlharborsurvivorsonline.org/html/GOD%20BLESS%20AMERICA.htm
I get things like this once in a while in a fwd from family members usually around election time. Such is the case here. The last time I saw something like this was around the 2004 elections. After I received it in 2004, I organized a response which still holds true since what they are passing around hasn't changed at all. It's essentially exactly the same - even this:
"It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!! "
Here's an opportunity for me to update what I did 4 years ago. Here's what they don't seem to be aware of, THE FACTS:
First of all, the first six US Presidents never finished any public speech with "God Bless America."
The fact is that the words "under God" weren't part of the original pledge. They were added in 1954. Supporters of the new wording said it would set the United States apart from godless communism. The original Pledge was published in 1892. It was written by Francis Bellamy, a socialist, thirty-seven year old, ex-Baptist Minister. The original pledge read as:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all"
After a few small changes ("my Flag" to "the Flag of the United States of America") the Pledge stood for a half a century. Then, in 1954 the Cold War started moving into its most intense period. The United States' deep hostility toward communism caused the "Red Scare" to pervade our society. Seizing the opportunity, Senator Joseph McCarthy spearheaded what is now recognized as one of the most shameful epochs of our history. McCarthy looked to demonize any and all whom he disliked by branding them communists. Then, as often happens when pounding the drums of patriotism, religious piety gets mixed in with being a true patriot.
"In god we trust" on the U.S. $1 -
In 1955, Congress passed a law requiring that "In God We Trust" appear on all U.S. coins and currency. The first paper currency with the motto appeared in 1957. This was right after the McCarthy era, during the early Cold War, when no congressperson would dare be seen voting against "God." "In God We Trust" did appear occasionally on a few coins, starting with a 2-cent piece in the 1860s, in an attempt (it is surmised) to put "God" on the side of the north during the Civil War. In 1956, an Act of Congress adopted "In God We Trust" as a national motto. The original motto, "E Pluribus Unum" ("out of many, [come] one,") celebrating plurality, still appears on the Presidential Seal and on some paper currency.
"14%" - Freethinkers, all together, out number any one religious denomination!
"86%" - We have laws that protect minorities from any Tyranny of any majority. No one has any right to tell anyone else to sit down & shut-up. That would be breaking the First Amendment, which includes the Freedom of Speech.
All too often, people misunderstand "separation of church and state" & the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, what it is, what it means & why it was created in the first place.
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"
The U.S. Constitution is a wholly secular & legal document. It contains no mention of Jesus Christ, Christianity or god. In fact, the Constitution refers to religion only twice –in the First Amendment, which bars laws "respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and in Article VI, which prohibits "religious tests" for public office. Both of these provisions are evidence that the country was not founded as officially Christian (which version or denomination out of thousands?).
Our nation was founded as a secular government, based on the authority of "We, the People," not a god, king, or dictator. The U.S.A. is the first nation in history to separate church and state. And for very good reasons too.
Separation of church and state is the only principle that can ensure religious and philosophical freedom for all Americans. Church-state separation does not mean hostility toward religion. Rather, it means that the government will remain neutral on religious questions, leaving decisions about God, faith and house of worship attendance in the hands of its citizens.
The results of Americas policy of church-state separation can be seen all around us: Thanks to separation of church and state, Americans enjoy an unparalleled amount of religious freedom. In some nations, churches remain dependent upon government for support and aid. Religious life in these nations is often devitalized, and many churches are near empty on Sundays.
Other countries merge religion and government into theocracies. Religious liberty cannot flourish under that system either; attempt by the government to enforce a version of religious orthodoxy foster only repression. By contrast, religious liberty has flourished in America and separation of church and state can take the credit.
Today we are an open and free society of nearly 300 million Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Pagans, Secular Humanists, American Indians and many others. All live side by side in harmony. All have the freedom to proclaim their views. All enjoy the right to worship or not worship unmolested by government officials or state-appointed religious leaders. All are equal in the eyes of the government.
To oppose the separation of church & state is therefore to oppose the First Amendment, the US Constitution & is thusly, one of the most UN-American, unpatriotic, hypocritical things one could do as an American who supposedly values Freedom & Democracy.
Theocracy is another weapon of mass destruction.
It's time that people know the facts. Here's some recommended reading.
Please take the quizzes:
1. Separation of church & state quiz
2. The Bible quiz
www.ffrf.org/quiz/
Enjoy these must see VIDEOS
1. "Life and Liberty for All Who Believe"
2. "The Rise of Dominionism"
www.theocracywatch.org/audio-video.htm
Other Great websites:
www.au.org/site/PageServer
"The United States: A Country founded on Paganism"
www.nobeliefs.com/pagan.htm
U.S. Treasury Department FACT SHEET "in god we trust" - History
www.ustreas.gov/education/...-trust.html
history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm Pledge History
restorethepledge.com/
Senator Joseph R. McCarthy - audio
www.gpo.gov/congress/sen...e12cp107.html
www.americanrhetoric.com/speec...y.html
The U.S. Constitution, The Declaration of Independence & The Bill of Rights:
memory.loc.gov/ammem/constRedir.html
thomas.loc.gov/
www.cato.org/ - Get your pocket Constitution before it's to late.
----------
This website suggests that because Moses is placed in an architectural embellishment of the Supreme Court it means America is a Christian nation.
www.pearlharborsurvivorsonline.org/html/GOD%20BLESS%20AMERICA.htm
The fact is that there are actually 18 lawgivers: Menes, Hammurabi, Moses, Solomon, Lycurgus, Solon, Draco, Confucius, Augustus, Justinian, Mohammed, Charlemagne, King John, St. Louis, Hugo Grotius, William Blackstone, John Marshall, and Napoleon.
The tablets Moses is holding are blank. The oak doors inside the court only contain roman numerals. Not one time are the actual words of the 10 Commandments reproduced in the Supreme Court building in full. No sign anywhere that the Judaeo-Christian religion is above any other. candst.tripod.com/tnppage/arg8a.htm
About the 10 Commandments fiasco
A Constitution that conforms to Biblical Law will rely on the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament as its guiding source. Dominionist lawmakers are trying to pass legislation in various state legislatures that would allow government posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings.
The first four Commandments are theological directives-they have nothing to do with morality or ethics and are unconstitutional. What is the real motivation behind the Ten Commandments campaign? The Ten Commandments are the foundation of Biblical Law, so placing them in public buildings has great symbolic value to Christians. It represents the supremacy of the Bible over the U.S. Constitution. The principle of religious liberty has become the legal tool used to make the U.S. Constitution conform to Biblical Law.
www.theocracywatch.org/biblic...htm#Ten
Also there are 3 versions of the 10 Commandments - Hebrew, Catholic and Protestant. www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm
"Why The Ten Commandments Shouldn't Be Posted In Government Buildings"
www.au.org/site/PageServer
"What's Wrong With the Ten Commandments?"
ffrf.org/nontracts/10comm.php
“When you consider that God could have commanded anything he wanted--anything!--the Ten [Commandments] have got to rank as one of the great missed moral opportunities of all time. How different history would have been had he clearly and unmistakably forbidden war, tyranny, taking over other people’s countries, slavery, exploitation of workers, cruelty to children, wife-beating, stoning, treating women--or anyone--as chattel or inferior beings.”
~ Katha Pollitt
"A profession that we are a nation "under God" is identical, for Establishment Clause purposes, to a profession that we are a nation "under Jesus," or a nation "under Vishnu," a nation "under Zeus," or a nation "under no god," because none of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion."
~ Judge Alfred T. Goodwin, 2002 the Ninth Circuit Court, in Newdow v. United States Congress
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