Comments on: Happy 4th! http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th A Blog of Atheist Thought Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:27:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: fireemblem555 http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th/comment-page-1#comment-85546 fireemblem555 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-85546 The United States was founded by religious immigrants leaving Britain because they were persecuted for having beliefs considered too reactionary at the time, meaning that they were dangerously conservative, and opposed the Church of England's reforms towards relative liberalism. If an official church were established in the United States it would have been based on these extremist values, and would ultimately be worse for atheists. Its not whether or not there is a state church, its the popular religion of the people themselves that matters. The Church of England is so weak, and wishy-washy that Atheism come easily. The United States was founded by religious immigrants leaving Britain because they were persecuted for having beliefs considered too reactionary at the time, meaning that they were dangerously conservative, and opposed the Church of England’s reforms towards relative liberalism. If an official church were established in the United States it would have been based on these extremist values, and would ultimately be worse for atheists. Its not whether or not there is a state church, its the popular religion of the people themselves that matters. The Church of England is so weak, and wishy-washy that Atheism come easily.

]]> By: Augustine http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th/comment-page-1#comment-85549 Augustine Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-85549 Didn't the golden age of Persia end when they began to push for a more "official" religion? Didn’t the golden age of Persia end when they began to push for a more “official” religion?

]]> By: psycho-sam http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th/comment-page-1#comment-85550 psycho-sam Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-85550 I agree, our official church has nothing to do with our secular nature. I'd imagine europe's secularism has more to do with our generally more liberal political views.<br /> <br /> Although, the Archbishop of Canterbury is enough to turn anyone atheist, so maybe you have a point there.<br /> <br /> If in the times of the founding fathers, they had adopted an official religion, I'd imagine America would have gone more the way of Saudi Arabia than Europe, but this is all just speculation...<br /> <br /> Happy we-let-you-have-independence day! I agree, our official church has nothing to do with our secular nature. I’d imagine europe’s secularism has more to do with our generally more liberal political views.

Although, the Archbishop of Canterbury is enough to turn anyone atheist, so maybe you have a point there.

If in the times of the founding fathers, they had adopted an official religion, I’d imagine America would have gone more the way of Saudi Arabia than Europe, but this is all just speculation…

Happy we-let-you-have-independence day!

]]> By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th/comment-page-1#comment-85551 alexatheist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-85551 An official American Church would be the absolute best thing for atheism here in the "Colonies". The establishment would have been terrible for liberty at first but very quickly the number of people who rejected the mandated religion would swell until atheism was the default position just like in Europe. People don't like to be forced into believing or accepting what the government tells them.<br /> An official American Church would be the absolute best thing for atheism here in the “Colonies”. The establishment would have been terrible for liberty at first but very quickly the number of people who rejected the mandated religion would swell until atheism was the default position just like in Europe. People don’t like to be forced into believing or accepting what the government tells them.

]]> By: david715 http://atheists.org/blog/2008/07/03/happy_4th/comment-page-1#comment-85552 david715 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-85552 I look forward to the day the USA declares independence from religion! I look forward to the day the USA declares independence from religion!

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