Atheists sue to stop use of 'so help me God' in inaugural oath

Thursday 15th January, 10:16 AM JST

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sharky1 at 09:18 PM JST - 15th January

Atheism itself is a religion that believes there is no God. Therefore, they should be fined for crossing the lines of separation between church and state.
KumaNiku at 10:01 PM JST - 15th January

Atheism itself is a religion that believes there is no God. Therefore, they should be fined for crossing the lines of separation between church and state.

Nope, Atheism is NOT a religion. Saying that it is shows lack of understanding and a populist attempt to dismiss it as just another kooky church like Catholicism or Christadelphian. For me personally being an Atheist, Atheism is not having a belief in a god, religious or otherwise and that a person's ethics is determined by themselves, thier community and thier practical application. In other words, we are answerable only to ourselves and others (being people) not some overly judgemental, omnipotent, senior in the sky. Besides, passing final judgement to a 'god' is the ultimate cop out, the ultimate denial of individual responsibilty.

The arguments that Atheism 'lessens' humanity are silly - all Atheists say is look around in our world, in nature in human achievements - there is all the depth and satisfaction you could ever need. The discovery of new things through science and explorations reveals more stuff to discover.

In my experience, being religious has very little to do with someone being a good person. I know and love people who are religious and who are not. In every case, thier reliogious beliefs have nothing to do with my choice to associate with them.

As for this case, It really doesn't bother me about the whole 'god' in the oath, etc. As another poster says, whatever Obama feels cements his obligation to himself and to others (namely the people USA). It would be cool to see it done in Klingon, though.
LHommeQuiMent at 11:02 PM JST - 15th January

Atheism itself is a religion that believes there is no God.

Atheism is not a religion. An atheist is NOT someone who believes that there is no God. An atheist IS someone who does not believe that there is a God. Religion is based on belief, but atheism is based on lack of belief.
nandakandamanda at 11:19 PM JST - 15th January

Just to clarify things.

In my dictionary right here it says:

Atheist, a person who believes that God does not exist.

Agnostic: A person who is not sure whether or not God exists, and who believes that we cannot know whether God exists or not.

Anyway I think it may be helpful to keep some reference to God, or the life force in the universe, for the practising Muslims and Christians and Jews to have something to agree on. The Buddhists generally don't make trouble and go along easily with everyone else, so it's a win-win situation.
Nessie at 11:54 PM JST - 15th January

Anyway I think it may be helpful to keep some reference to God, or the life force in the universe, for the practising Muslims and Christians and Jews to have something to agree on.

As long as by "God" you mean the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I'm in complete agreement.
bushlover at 01:26 AM JST - 16th January

What a waste of time and effort by any group. Utter stupidity. Even atheists are becoming a bleedin pain in the buttocks.
OssanAmerica at 03:11 AM JST - 16th January

I knew I should've become a Lawyer. They never run out of work to do. No matter how idiotic.
Good_Jorb at 05:33 AM JST - 16th January

It seems the Atheists in this case are slowly becoming like what some Atheists(possible including themselves) purport to be the most annoying feature of religious zealots; forcing people by any means possible in the loudest and most obnoxious fashion possible to "not believe"(believe) in what they do "not believe"(believe) in.
SezWho2 at 06:40 AM JST - 16th January

wuzzademcrat,

I have no love for fundamentalists but I have yet to meet a politically disinterested 'atheist.'

I have yet to meet a completely politically disinterested person. Atheists do not claim to be politically disinterested. What they claim is that political decisions should not be made on the basis of beliefs which derive from an authority which cannot be substantiated.
TheQuestion at 06:59 AM JST - 16th January

Why are the atheists so interested in this? So long as the oath is preformed and Obama bound to uphold his position can we agree that the wording of such an oath is irrelevant?
SezWho2 at 07:56 AM JST - 16th January

No, I don't think we can agree to that.
Nippon5 at 12:09 PM JST - 16th January

I could careless if he swears to Alah, God, Marty Martian, or Sezwho2. Its just words and we all know words really dont hold power over ones actions. He will be president for the good or bad of it, no matter what his religious belief is. Some lawyers just sue to get the media attention. Period.
wuzzademcrat at 01:57 PM JST - 16th January

"Atheists do not claim to be politically disinterested. What they claim is that political decisions should not be made on the basis of beliefs which derive from an authority which cannot be substantiated."

It is interesting how often you encounter a single atheist who speaks for all of them.

Is it the absolutist position of the atheist (in contrast to that of the agnostic, who admits of doubts) that produces this?

Why, the cynic in me is sometimes tempted to think atheists all have some kind of common scripture they have memorized...

The most influential atheist in Western history, as I recall, wasn't opposed to religion's role in political decision-making so much as he was hell bent on eradicating religion's supposedly opiating effect upon the masses.
Nessie at 02:16 PM JST - 16th January

It seems the Atheists in this case are slowly becoming like what some Atheists(possible including themselves) purport to be the most annoying feature of religious zealots; forcing people by any means possible in the loudest and most obnoxious fashion possible to "not believe"(believe) in what they do "not believe"(believe) in.

No-one is forcing a belief on anyone. They are suing to preserve an eroding Constitutional principle. The only belief they're forcing is that the rule of law is a good thing. And even there, it's not beliefs that are being forced.
SezWho2 at 06:13 PM JST - 16th January

It is interesting how often you encounter a single atheist who speaks for all of them.

What is really interesting is how often you encounter people who suggest that a person is doing something when they are not in fact doing that thing. Before casting stones, it would be good to have some examples of atheists who claim to be politically disinterested. Then perhaps, we could get a better idea of who is speaking for whom.