Well, they couldn't cancel Christmas. Now, they are trying to take "so help me God" out of the inagural.
They? Who are they? Are you suggesting that
all atheists are out to "cancel Christmas" or are letigious about their respect for secularism?
Did the athiests ever stop to think that the President himself might actually WANT to say those words because he is a believer?!?!?
Correction: Not "the atheists"
an atheist. Also, if this is a matter of separation of church and state what Obama wants is irrelevant.
"Want" is no justification for violations of the first amendment (Not that I'm suggesting that an oath can constitute one.)
The athiests never quit, do they. They will stop at nothing to force their Godless beliefs on everyone else. If you don't believe, that is your right. However, most Americans DO as does the President.
Secularism isn't about "forcing godless beliefs on everyone" but respecting every religion by not playing favorites. Its about indifference, not skepticism. You see not everyone believes in your god, perhaps you might learn to understand why such an oath can be less meaningful than an oath to something they DO believe in...
Also, what most people "believe" is irrelevant to the point of the 1st amendment.
And whats wrong with a "godless belief" anyway? The usage of that term with such contempt is quite sanctimonious and arrogant. You're an atheist in respect to Zeus, whats wrong with that godless belief?
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All of that being said, I don't think an oath can reflect "congress respecting AN establishment of religion." Nor do I believe the term is "necessary" given that other Presidents did not say it, someone in the know please correct me if I'm wrong about that.
The term "god" or "creator" does not pertain to any particular establishment.
Also, I think the point of the term is simply because if you believe in a god, and your belief is sacred, it is no different that swearing on the life of a loved one... or as another suggested, swearing on the constitution itself; Which I REALLY like.