?GOD-FREE CALIFORNIANS? TO RALLY FOR REMOVAL OF RELIGIOUS REFERENCES IN THE PLEDGE AND ON CURRENCYTuesday, December 4, 2007San Francisco Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals BuildingAmerican Atheists California is holding a rally in front of the San Francisco Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building on Tuesday, December 4, to support the removal of religious references in the Pledge of Allegiance and on national currency. Joining them will be a number of Atheist and Humanist groups and others from the Bay Area and across the state.This peaceful demonstration will be held on the day that California Atheist Dr. Michael Newdow presents arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in two lawsuits: one seeking to strike the phrase ?under God? from the Pledge, the other challenging the inclusion of ?In God We Trust? on currency. Congress mandated both phrases in the mid 1950s.?Those words were added during the height of the Cold War, and should never have been included,? stated Dave Kong, California director for American Atheists. ?The intent was to differentiate the United States from what was then perceived as ?godless communism? by touting the country as a religious, god-fearing nation, and in the process it divided Americans on religious lines. As a result, many citizens think that if you do not believe in a god, you cannot be a good American. It is time to put an end to such an outdated, false notion.??Dr. Newdow was the catalyst for our rally in 2003 when he argued before the Supreme Court in his original Pledge suit. This rally is a celebration of the progress we have made since then. The Atheist community grows stronger in its solidarity, we have bestselling authors among our ranks and a presence on Capitol Hill. We have joined with our affiliated groups and other Atheist, Humanist and freethought groups ? the ?god-free Californians? ? to cheer on Dr. Newdow, applaud the Ninth Circuit for its landmark 2002 decision, and urge removal of these archaic and inappropriate religious references.?The event at the Ninth Circuit will begin at 9:00 a.m. and include a program of speakers. WHAT: Rally to support the removal of religious references in the Pledge of Allegiance and on national currencyWHERE: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Building (Seventh and Mission)WHEN: Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 9:00 ? 11:00 a.m.INFO.: http://www.atheists.org/ca , dksf@atheists.org, (415) 771-9872 (AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)
I think I might be in SF next week. It’s a possibility.
You should definitely go. They need every person, and it’s a great way to meet other ATheists. And it’s your patriotic duty to speak out!
boy that sure stopped those godless commies didn’t it.somehow though i think it kind of fits that we have in god we trust on the money if you know what i mean.
“As a result, many citizens think that if you do not believe in a god, you cannot be a good American. It is time to put an end to such an outdated, false notion.”
I would argue that if you believe in God, you cannot be a good American. American values (even though they state they are) are not necessarily based on authentic Christian morales and values.
And this opens up a new can of worms.
Unfree,
Agreed. Though I would also argue that the phrase “authentic Christian morals” has no meaning. The Bible can be interpreted any number of ways.
Most Christians interpret The Bible so that it teaches a halfway decent set of morals. But a number of Christians interpret it in a way that is completely disgusting.
The problem here is that The Bible supports both groups of people. If The Bible teaches you to be evil, then you’re ignoring all the good stuff in it. Likewise if it teaches you to be good, then you’re ignoring all the evil stuff in it.
Since both of these two extremes are mutually exclusive and both supported by The Bible, we can only conclude that The Bible isn’t a reliable teacher of morals. Therefore, “authentic” Christian morals don’t exist.
All the various Christian sects are just developing their own morals and falsely attributing this to The Bible. Instead of taking credit for their morals, they’re hiding behind their religious beliefs.
alatham,
He shoots, he scores!
Can’t believe I missed this. Stuck in the office. What a bummer. I wish I could have at least driven by and honked! Lets see how the ruling goes.