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Faith

Prominent Atheists Lash Out at DNC’s Reinstatement of ‘God’: ‘Precisely What Our Founders Aimed to Avoid’

Sep. 7, 2012 6:52am Billy Hallowell

Atheists were likely elated by the Democrats’ initial decision to remove “God” from the party’s 2012 platform. But, their joy was quickly diminished when liberal political leaders, realizing the political fallout from its decision, quickly moved to reinsert the language. Now, secularists are responding with disappointment and frustration, claiming offense, discrimination and poor manners on the behalf of Democrats.

The platform’s new language reads (emphasis added), “We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential.”

The Secular Coalition for America, an atheist group that lobbies for non-belief, responded strongly to the Democratic Party’s decision. Executive Director Edwina Rogers put out a statement, alleging that religion already plays too massive of a role in the political system and that the decision to add “God” back in wasn’t warranted. While America’s founders purportedly understood the need for separation of church and state, Rogers believes that contemporary politicians simply do not.

“The co-mingling of God and politics that we are increasingly seeing from our politicians at both the state and federal levels is precisely what our founders aimed to avoid,” she said in the statement. “The separation of religion and government is one of our nation’s core founding principles and it should be embraced by both parties, because it really is the best guarantee of freedom for all Americans-including the religious.”

Atheists Respond to Democratic Platform Re Insertion of God | FFRF, American Atheists

Credit: FILE

Before the Democrats’ latest controversy, Rogers and her group took issue with the presence of the word “faith” in the platform (while “God” wasn’t originally mentioned, the benefits of a faith community in America were). The Secular Coalition isn’t alone in voicing its frustrations. American Atheists, the non-theist group that is currently suing to prevent the presence of a cross at the 9/11 Museum, also condemned the re-insertion of a deity in the platform.

The group’s president, David Silverman, called the decision “divisive” and claimed that it “unnecessarily alienates about 16 percent of the American voting population. This proportion he’s referring to accounts for the subset of the nation that does not believe in a higher power.

“I am shocked that the Democratic Party caved in to the pressure they were receiving because of their choice to use inclusive language in their platform,” Silverman announced in a statement.

On Thursday, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an organization known for its litigious activity against people and institutions of faith, also wrote a scathing article on the group’s web site addressing the “God” issue.

FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor (Credit: AP)

“Yes, it’s wrong and frustrating that in a nation predicated on a godless Constitution, a political party must inject ‘god’ into its platform to avoid a ‘gotcha’ moment,” Gaylor wrote. “But I’m hopeful someday soon that gratuitous political piety will once again be seen as tasteless pandering, and that public dissing of freethinkers and atheists will be seen as just plain bad manners.”

While non-believers maintained that the Democrats had overstepped a boundary by re-inserting the language, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the opposite. According to Romney, the initial removal “suggests a party which is increasingly out of touch with the mainstream of American people.”

The Democrats also reinserted the notion that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, a factor that didn’t seem to rile the atheist activist community. In fact, most of the activists seemed to ignore it in their responses.

–

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Comments (125)

Qoheleth
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:58am
Well these folks haven’t a clue what “our Founding Fathers aimed to avoid.” What they wanted to avoid is clear in the language “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” Party platforms are not law. It doesn’t matter if the party platform contains the tenets of Brickism as long as there are no laws either establishing it or prohibiting it. The founding fathers expected religious people (being some themselves) to be active in government and making choices informed by their faith(s). They sought “only” to protect the individual from government religious mandate.

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- objectivetruth
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:25am
  So true.They sought to prevent rule by theology.
  
  Report this comment
- the_system_disconnect
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:34am
  Wow, so now the founding fathers were trying to avoid God? I think not. They wanted us to be free to worship God, and live our religion, even those who are in government.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:39am
  Objective- too bad that the reloigious right ignores that idea. They want to “return” this country to something it never was. They do want rule by the Christian Bible. I’ve read as much, many times, on this site. They don’t want religious freedom, they don’t believe that people should be able to make up their own minds, determine their own morality, or rule their own lives and bodies.
  
  Report this comment
- booger71
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:53am
  Our Founding Fathers tried to avoid religion so much they took to praying for wisdom during the Constitutional Convention on a regular basis.
  
  Report this comment
- no_more_harkin
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:17am
  Got a question for you, Reallibertarian, and all other atheists.
  Where do laws come from if not from a higher power?
  If we are left to “determine their own morality” then is it OK to not only kill the unborn, but also those who provide no benefit to society? Do we start eliminating the handicapped, move on to the homeless, then the elderly?
  Do you know nothing of history and where the slippery slope of allowing MAN to place value on human life leads us?
  I’m no staunch Christian, but history shows that when man determines morality, and passes laws for the “benefit” of the whole, genocide is not far behind.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:32am
  No More- first, I’m not an atheist, I’m Wiccan. Of course, that gets me lumped in with all the other non christians and we all get called ‘athiests’, just because we don’t believe as you do.
  We have our own commandment ‘An ye harm none, do what ye will’. Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, and most other religions have laws and dogma that deal with getting along with your fellow man, so your argument is moot. Christianity does not have the lock on rules to live by. Unfortunately, in this country they think they do, and they are trying hard to legislate those laws.
  
  Report this comment
- Glynrd Skynrd
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:47am
  According to the American Atheist leader (David Silverman) for the Democrats to “allow” God back into their platform it “unnecessarily alienates about 16 percent of the American voting population. Of course it was irrelevant that his (God’s) exclusion from the platform offended only 84% of the American voters… Do the Math.
  
  If those % are true then what we saw at the DNC Convention was actually the DNC Re-invention, sadly what we saw was far far left.
  
  Report this comment
- usedCZARsalesman
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:48am
  @REAL…I’m sure you can provide some sources showing that the “religious right” is attempting to make laws that limit the free expression of religion, correct? Cause I can show you about a dozen (just this year) of Atheists trying to limit MY free expression of religion and the free expression of religion of entire towns…forcing 60 year old monuments to be torn down, belittling and spewing hate at everyone that dares to humble themselves before the Lord, cramming secularism down the throat of an OVERWHELMINGLY Christian nation, ect…I’ll be waiting for your proof of Christians doing the same to you!
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:11pm
  Real, I’ve seen this argument time and time again.
  
  http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/allreligions.html
  
  Report this comment
- Sparky101
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:20pm
  These “prominent” atheists are way too full of themselves (along with their cone-head leader).
  
  They don’t know history (of course that’s not entierly their fault as products of today’s dumbed down liberal colleges). They tend not to know that the very men who crafted and voted to include the amendments to the Constitution, were the very men who wanted all their meetings to be opened with prayer, the very men who recommended prayer in their chambers when things got bogged down. It is intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer, that they never intended to keep God out of our government. But they did intend to keep any religion from telling anyone how to worship or what books to read or not read, or that anyone’s opinion was not worth hearing, especially that of a man of God.
  
  Report this comment
- Lucy Larue
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:56pm
  @REALLIBERTARIAN,
  Congratulions on your “SOULQUEST” and discovering that Wiccan floats your spiritual boat.
  You do not understand that when GOD is removed it affects ALL religions!
  in a Christian nation you are FREE to be Wiccan,Taoist, Buddhist whatever! Roving bands of Methodists are not going to come and take away you wand and magic herbs.
  
  Atheists believe in nothing! they tolerate NO religion….,to include Wiccan!
  oh wait…they DO tolerate Islam and Allah because they are spineless idiots who are too afraid to complain about Muslims. You know,be headings,fatwas , and stuff.
  
  The point is….,being a JUDEO CHRISTIAN NATION is the REASON you’re able to practice Wiccan so suck it up!
  
  Report this comment
- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 1:00pm
  “No More- first, I’m not an atheist, I’m Wiccan.”
  
  Nuff said.
  
  In a cemetary here where I live, Agnes Moorhead (Samantha’s mother on Bewitched) is buried close to my mother-in-law (ironic). The cops are constantly chasing the local Wiccans away who gather to perform whatever it is they do at her grave.
  
  New Flash: SHE WAS AN ACTRESS. NOT A REAL WITCH!
  
  Dude, you have robbed yourself of any intellectual credibility. You are a Monty Python sketch.
  
  Report this comment
- Lucy Larue
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 1:14pm
  QOHELETH,
  They DO have a clue. They do. They are not JUST sad little Atheists. They are Marxists.
  
  Report this comment
- guntotinsquaw
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 3:05pm
  I guess the left is going to have to really explain this quote then…
  When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
  
  Report this comment
- pavepaws
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 3:08pm
  What is their choice? Voting for Romney? Right
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 3:08pm
  Remember “Birthers”?
  Remember “Truthers”?
  Prepare yourselves for “Faithers”!
  Soon to be defined by God-haters as anyone who believes that this nation was founded on Christian principles,and our Founding Fathers were anything but deists and atheists or freemasons depending on who you ask.
  
  Report this comment
- tcseacliff
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 3:16pm
  I think atheist’s don’t exist . I do not believe in atheism ! oh ****! I think I may brun Hell?? wait, is there even a hell? sweeett! not gonna burn, hey, atheists” -BLOW ME!
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:01pm
  I’m tired of Democrats, secularists and atheists falsely stating that the mere mention of the word “God” institutes some form of religion. LOL. If that were true, then, the Declaration of Independence in proclaiming a Creator created a faith called America; every time our former Presidents stated “So help me God” after their Constitutional Oath they became Priests; every time our Supreme Court begins their sessions by invoking God’s aid they hold Mass; and every time our representatives hold a prayer before Congress they form a Church called the United States in Congress Assembled. LOL. These lefties are ignorant, deluded and hold no logical argument to anything in respect to our history or lawful customs.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:14pm
  Colt1860 can debate this in his sleep.
  
  Report this comment
- BigPawz
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:57pm
  @ REALLIBERTARIAN, you might want to pay very close attention to @Lucy Larue. She speaks eloquent truth. The potential removal of some allegiance or faith in God or another supreme being will truly affect all other religions…to the negative. If the atheists have their way, there would be no religion… There would be no belief system. In effect, Satan would win and humanity would lose. And, if I remember the verbiage of the Constitution correctly, not only does the law of our land prohibit the establishment of a state religion as well as prohibit the prohibition of a religion, it also guarantees our citizens FREEDOM OF RELIGION. Atheists, pay attention!! The law of our land does not guarantee you the right to your belief system which is NOTHING! If you believe that religion should not exist, then that does not fall under freedom of religion. The Constitution does not guarantee you freedom of thought or emptiness of head.
  
  @ REALLIBERTARIAN, as @LUCY LARUE said, no one is looking to take away your magic herbs and your wand. BUT, your wand and magic herbs put you on the same level as a Satanist. After all, Satanism the espouses witchcraft and the negation of any God believing religion. But then, that would mean that Satan is the father of Islam. Come to think of it, it is possible that Islam, translated into English, means Satanism.
  
  Report this comment
KINGRUDDY
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:44am
Wow what an idiot, she claims were founded on a god less constitution…..bla bla bla. more of the less than 1% spewing their made up nonsense on how all our founders were atheist too. These fing people all try to rewrite and reeducate us on thier beliefs. Bla Bla Bla Bla…
a prayer for the occasion……….
God is great…God is good….let us thank him for this Day. Amen
Wake up America!!!

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Geo_Kat
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:25am
God was the nation’s core founding principle not Separation of Church in State. That phrase is not in the Constitution but was in a letter Benjamin Franklin wrote a school teacher. Atheists are ignorant.

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- USAndrew15
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:35am
  Before you call anyone ignorant make sure you Atleast have your facts
  Straight it was Thomas Jefferson not Benjamin Franklin who wrote that in
  a letter.
  
  Report this comment
- MikaelScot
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:02am
  Yes God was and is a central tenet. But many of the founding fathers advocated a seperation of church and state. Its written into the first amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
  
  However this doesn’t imply atheism, it is a protection of religious freedom. Remember, many goverments were at that time of our founding “heavily influenced” (to say the least) but the Catholic Church, and England had made its church by law the one and only. This amendment strove to prevent that.
  Atheists don’t understand that this protects them as well, otherwise there could very well have been laws jailing or killing them. (See Islam) In modern times this has been distorted to serve a progressive agenda. Many of our Judeo-Christian beliefs are incoded in our laws. Strip away God and then they can strip away those laws.
  Crosses on memorials, prayer in school, the Ten Commandments on a plaque in a courthouse doesn’t violate anyones rights. People have (or not) religious beliefs and people make up the government. Using the First amandement to sterilize religion from government makes government one step away from the people. That is their goal. What we need are judges that realize that ruling for organized Atheism also a violation of the First Amendment since they are promoting one set of beliefs over another.
  
  Report this comment
- floridareader
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:27am
  These clueless atheists guys should read Article VII of the Constitution.
  
  Report this comment
USAndrew15
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:22am
Jeffersons own personal seal has the following quote
“Rebellion To Tyrants Is Obedience To God”
Sounds like an atheist to me!
So if rebeling against tyrants is obedience to God, is rebeling against
God obedience to Tyrants?
I think so!

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- justadad76
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:33am
  Huh?
  
  Report this comment
- usedCZARsalesman
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:44am
  Made perfect sense JUST…maybe it was over your head, but I understood it perfectly
  
  Report this comment
- BigPawz
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 1:34am
  as did I!!
  
  Report this comment
- Delicaterose65
  Posted on September 8, 2012 at 2:06am
  This is the 1st ” National Seal of the United Colonies”. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams came up with it. Do you know what the 3 pictures on it are??? Did you lean that? John Adams ~ Quote The 1st- One”Children of Israel in
  the wilderness, Lead by a cloud be day, and a pillar of fire by night”
  The 2nd – “Moses lifting up his and and deviding the Red Sea” and The 3rd – Waters swallowing up the Pharo and chariotts overwhelmed.
  There you go with pict with the “reasons for the symbols” GO see if I am right!!! …. LOL
  Tea
  
  Report this comment
EXPERT ON MY OPINION
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:14am
It never ceases to amaze me that these people believe that you must agree with them in order to be a “Free Thinker”, That seems to me to be the very essence of a closed mind, It’s also fascinating that they are such huge advocates of democracy, (Majority Rule) up until the point where they are a very small minority then all of the sudden, they believe in a democratic republic which protects the rights of the minority against the wims of the majority,

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- syjere
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:26am
  Quite the win, win approach no? It’s called whatever it takes, including in your face, blatant hypocrisy. They revel in hypocrisy. And furthermore, why are they so afraid of a God they don’t believe in? I don’t see American Christians running around beheading atheists on the streets. Our republic is interwoven with God. Get over it, and be ‘tolerant’ or get out.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:50am
  Syjere- so when is the Christian right going to be tolerant of thos of us who worship other Goddesses and Gods, or none at all? Where is the respect for our beliefs? You demand primacy of the pulpit, adherance to your moral code and dogma, and claim persecution when we don’t comply. You get the respect you give, and the activist Christian right hasn’t given any in a long time.
  
  Report this comment
- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:25am
  I am surprised to see that no one this far has commented on that woman’s photo. Am I the only one seeing her eyes as soulless? Her expression as joyless? Her overall appearance as haunted? She looks positively disturbed, and I mean that in the most negative way. I know crazy eyes when I see them, and those eyes look like windows into a dark and cold place filled with snakes and demons. It really is no wonder that she is the face of atheism.
  
  Report this comment
- yerffej
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:59am
  I had the same thought woolfreevision, she looks soul-less to me too. It is obvious to me who she’s serving. God help this country, for we know not what we do.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:14pm
  John Adams, in his inaugural address, stated: “…the representatives of this nation…not only broke to pieces the chains which were forging and the rod of iron that was lifted up, but frankly cut asunder the ties which had bound them… With humble reverence, I feel it to be my duty to add, if a veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians, and a fixed resolution to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for the public service, can enable me in any degree to comply with your wishes, it shall be my strenuous endeavor that this sagacious injunction of the two Houses shall not be without effect… And may that Being who is supreme over all, the Patron of Order, the Fountain of Justice, and the Protector in all ages of the world of virtuous liberty, continue His blessings upon this nation and its Government and give it all possible success and duration consistent with the ends of His Providence.”
  
  The Wiccan religion, nor that of Muhammad or Buddha, ever aided, influenced, guided, or helped our forefathers in their endeavor to found a free and independent Union of states. In fact, so significant was the faith taught in our Christian bible to the founding of this nation, that every president since Washington has sworn their Oath on that Bible.
  
  Andrew Jackson rightly said, “That book [Bible], sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.”
  
  Report this comment
lmroberts
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:11am
I have to wonder what they are so very afraid of? After all, they have no beliefs so whats the big issue?

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- CoryGage
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:22am
  what are you afraid of that you feel you have to use the government to force your religious beliefs onto others? It’s not a matter of “we don’t believe, so it shouldn’t matter.” It’s a matter of “keep your religion out of the government.” When the government endorses any religion, all other religion, or the lack there of, begin to become marginalized.
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:04am
  @CORYGAGE
  
  On the other hand it’s perfectly fine for atheists and God-haters to use government to remove all Christian symbols from society,prayer from schools and any mention of God on public property?Tolerance only applies to those who don’t believe in the God of the Bible?The only religious freedoms in this country belong to the atheist’s religion?Your atheist friends aren’t trying to force their will on the people?Aren’t the atheists doing the very thing you accuse others of?
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:23am
  Freebird- removing the symbols of religion from public spaces IS freedom of religion. It allows people to to worship however and whatever they prefer, or nothing at all, if that’s their choice. It eliminates the subtle and not so subtle message that this religion is preferred.
  Be honest, you don’t want real freedom of religion, you only want freedom to be Christian. All other choices should be stifled.
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:22am
  I find it interesting that this was the only point you chose to discuss.I asked numerous questions concerning the atheists using the same tactics they accuse others of,and yet you wish to address this one.OK.
  Our constitution states the congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
  How in your mind,is removing religious symbols,not favoring one religion over another,or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?Let me give you an example.Suppose one day all the billboards and messages on public transportation,were ordered taken down that contained anything negative about other religions,from the atheists? If one religion can’t have the 10 commandments in public,why should another be allowed to spread lies and deception?
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:43am
  By the way,while we’re being “honest”,you really don’t want religious freedom.You’re only interested in doing away with the Christian religion.All other religions are fine,as long as they don’t worship Jesus.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:45am
  I answered that question, Freebird, because it is the one that applies to me. I’m not an athiest, I’m Wiccan. You, like so many others, seem to forget that there are many religions out there. It is not simply a case of Christians or atheists. I don’t need to put pentacles in every school or court, or images of the Buddha, why do you need to have christian images? Are you so weak in your faith that you need to have it constantly reinforced? I see no particular difference between the religious billboards and the atheist billboards. Both are insulting to those of us who are neither.
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:21pm
  I don’t recall saying you were atheist anymore than I said I was a Christian.However,since you identify with witchcraft,I’ll amend my previous post.
  Suppose,back when all the Harry Potter rage was happening,the government decided to ban the movie and all promotional material for it.Not allowing it in the schools or anywhere in public,no little kids dressed up like the characters in the films,no market for all the stuff related to the films. I suppose you would defend that also?I realize,as well as you do,that symbols are very powerful or else there wouldn’t be any for any religion,I’d bet you were fine with little Harry Potter look-alikes,showing up at your door on Halloween,but would find offense in a nativity scene for Christmas.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:29pm
  Freebird-By the way,while we’re being “honest”,you really don’t want religious freedom.You’re only interested in doing away with the Christian religion.All other religions are fine,as long as they don’t worship Jesus.
  *************************************************
  I have no problem with the majority of christians, especially up here in the northeast. But then again, they are not constantly trying to get me to conform to their dogma and lifestyle. No, the ones I am against are the ones who are arrogant enough to try and tell me how to live. You ignore me and I’ll ignore you. Tell me how I have to live, or try and legislate your beliefs to limit my freedoms, and I will fight back.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:48pm
  Freebird, the only time I have a problem with a nativity display is when they want exclusive rights to the town green. Allow ALL religious groups access, no matter who finds it offensive, and I’m fine with that. I don’t believe in censorship of any kind, for any reason. The problem is that so many of the religious right don’t think they have to share that green, or the airwaves. I might remind you that it was the right wing Christians who wanted to censor Harry Potter, as well as a number of other books that they felt were ‘un-Christian’. They are the ones calling for censorship of movies, TV, music, and video games.
  
  Report this comment
- Freebird
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:53pm
  Struck a nerve?
  Can’t continue to defend the indefensible?
  Starting to see your view as the pot calling the kettle intolerant?
  We’re all going to answer for the choices we make in life,some sooner than others,but eventually we’ll all answer.
  As long as you know this,and have no problem with the choices you make,then the consequences shouldn’t bother you.
  c’est la vie
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 1:30pm
  Freebird- nothing indefensible about it. Freedom of religion is an all or nothing proposition. You want prayer back in schools and on the school and courthouse walls, you’d better be prepared for prayers for all religions, including the ones that offend you, and there’d better be a lot of wall space to put up the iconography and dogma of all who want to put it up. Logically, the only thing that makes sense in such an environment is to allow none at all. I don’t care if you put it all up, but you’d also better be prepared for the Satanic Church to demand the same treatment that you want for yourself.
  As I said, I object to censorship. I don’t care who puts up what, who gets to preach on the street corner, or who puts up billboards. But you don’t get to put yours up, while saying that some one else’s is objectionable and shouldn’t go up. Like I said, you ignore me, I’ll ignore you. But that’s not the way of the religious right, is it?
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:19pm
  @reallibertarian Your argument sounds sweet and cuddly, but it holds not water to OUR heritage and OUR history and OUR laws. You phony American.
  
  EXCERPTS FROM THE PREAMBLES OF ALL 50 UNITED STATES:
  
  Alabama 1901, Preamble. “We the people of the State of Alabama,
  invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and
  establish the following Constitution … ”
  
  Alaska 1956, Preamble. “We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and
  To those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land . ”
  
  Arizona 1911, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Arizona,
  grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this
  Constitution… ”
  
  Arkansas 1874, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Arkansas,
  Grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form
  of government… ”
  
  California 1879, Preamble. “We, the People of the State of
  California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…”
  
  Colorado 1876, Preamble. “We, the people of Colorado, with profound
  Reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe .. ”
  
  Connecticut 1818, Preamble. “The People of Connecticut, acknowledging
  With gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to
  enjoy … ”
  
  Delaware 1897, Preamble. “Through Divine Goodness all men have, by
  nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according
  to the dictates of their consciences .. “
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:20pm
  Florida 1885, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Florida,
  grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty … establish
  this Constitution…”
  
  Georgia 1777, Preamble. “We, the people of Georgia, relying upon
  Protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this
  Constitution… ”
  
  Hawaii 1959, Preamble. “We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine
  Guidance .. establish this Constitution ”
  
  Idaho 1889, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful
  To Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings .. ”
  
  Illinois 1870, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Illinois,
  Grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious
  liberty which He hath So long permitted us to enjoy and looking to
  Him for a blessing on our endeavors… ”
  
  Indiana 1851, Preamble. “We, the People of the State of Indiana,
  grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose
  our form of government . ..”
  
  Iowa 1857, Preamble. “We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful
  to The Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling
  our Dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings …
  establish this Constitution ”
  
  Kansas 1859, Preamble. “We, the people of Kansas, grateful to
  Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges … establish
  this Constitution. “
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:20pm
  Kentucky 1891, Preamble. “We, the people of the Commonwealth of
  Kentucky are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and
  religious liberties… ”
  
  Louisiana 1921, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Louisiana,
  Grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious
  liberties we enjoy ….”
  
  Maine 1820, Preamble. “We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with
  Grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe
  in affording us an opportunity … and imploring His aid and
  direction . .”
  
  Maryland 1776, Preamble. “We, the people of the state of Maryland,
  Grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty… ”
  
  Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. “We…the people of Massachusetts,
  acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great
  Legislator of The Universe… in the course of His Providence, an
  opportunity ..and Devoutly imploring His direction … ”
  
  Michigan 1908, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Michigan,
  Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom … establish
  this Constitution ”
  
  Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Minnesota,
  grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to
  perpetuate its blessings . ”
  
  Mississippi 1890, Preamble. “We, the people of Mississippi in
  Convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His
  blessing on our work…..”
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:21pm
  Missouri 1845, Preamble “We, the people of Missouri, with profound
  Reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His
  goodness …establish this Constitution …”
  
  Montana 1889, Preamble. “We, the people of Montana, grateful to
  Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this
  Constitution .. ”
  
  Nebraska 1875, Preamble. “We, the people, grateful to Almighty God
  for Our freedom .. establish this Constitution .. .”
  
  Nevada 1864, Preamble. “We the people of the State of Nevada,
  grateful to Almighty God for our freedom … establish this
  Constitution . .”
  
  New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. “Every individual has a
  Natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the
  dictates of his own conscience . ”
  
  New Jersey 1844, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of New
  Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty
  which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
  blessing on our endeavors…..”
  New Mexico 1911, Preamble. “We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to
  Almighty God for the blessings of liberty .. ”
  
  New York 1846, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of New York,
  Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its
  blessings . “
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:22pm
  North Carolina 1868, Preamble. “We the people of the State of North
  Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations,
  for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging
  our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those . .”
  
  North Dakota 1889, Preamble. “We, the people of North Dakota,
  grateful To Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious
  liberty, do ordain… ”
  
  Ohio 1852, Preamble. “We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to
  Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote
  Our common .. ”
  
  Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. “Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in
  order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty …..
  establish this… ”
  
  Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. “All men shall be
  Secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the
  dictates of their consciences . ”
  
  Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. “We, the people of Pennsylvania,
  grateful To Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious
  liberty, and Humbly invoking His guidance . …”
  
  Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. “We the People of the State of Rhode
  Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty
  which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
  blessing .”
  
  South Carolina 1778, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of South
  Carolina . grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish
  This Constitution ..
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:22pm
  South Dakota 1889, Preamble. “We, the people of South Dakota,
  grateful To Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties …
  establish this ….”
  
  Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. “That all men have a natural and
  Indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates
  of their conscience… ”
  
  Texas 1845, Preamble. “We the People of the Republic of Texas,
  acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God .. ”
  
  Utah 1896, Preamble. “Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty,
  We establish this Constitution .. ”
  
  Vermont 1777, Preamble. “Whereas all government ought to … enable
  The individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and
  other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on
  man ….. ”
  
  Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI .. “Religion, or the Duty which we
  Owe our Creator … can be directed only by Reason .. and that it is
  the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and
  Charity towards each other.
  
  Washington 1889, Preamble. “We the People of the State of Washington,
  grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do
  ordain this Constitution .. ”
  
  West Virginia 1872, Preamble. “Since through Divine Providence we
  enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we,
  the people of West Virginia .. reaffirm our faith in and constant
  reliance upon God .. “
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 4:26pm
  Wyoming 1890, Preamble. “We, the people of the State of Wyoming,
  grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties …
  establish This Constitution .. “
  
  Report this comment
EqualJustice
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:10am
Why is the press IGNORING the fact that mentioning Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel made the crowd JUST AS ANGRY as the word God?

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HollisBrown
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:01am
Let me assure all you atheist out there, the democrats took god out of their agenda a long time ago. they couldnt reinstate god if they wanted to. democrats are hateful bastards who belong in HELL.

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- davecorkery
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:18pm
  How christian of you.
  
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lmroberts
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:01am
They are violating the constitutional rights of millions by attempting to stop their FREE EXPRESSION and practice of their faiths. And violating others rights to free speech….so if they sue you throw a counter suit right back at them…guess who will win.

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jackact
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:58am
Atheism is an easy way out.
It requires no commitment or sacrifice of self.
The burden of proof of God’s existence is on earth in front of our eyes.
God is in us all.
Even in those who reject him.
Even in those too blind to see.
Judgment is not mankinds to make.

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- CoryGage
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:28am
  Yes, it’s so easy. That’s why so many never “come out” about being an atheist for fear of retribution from their “loving” Christian family members, bosses, friends and neighbors. Not to mention the idea that we continue to search for answers to the hard questions, examining the evidence, and accepting that we just don’t know all the answers, instead of using the catch phrase “God did it.” No, accepting that anything you don’t know is explainable by magic is the easy way. And where is your so called proof? Because we are here? Because there are things in this world that we observe in awe? I refer you back to the previous statement that it’s easy just to say “God did it” instead of trying to find the actual answer.
  
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- jackact
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:14am
  I thought the catch phrase was, “Bush did it”?
  
  Report this comment
2SENSEWORTH
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:54am
I’ve read the books on Washington, Adams (John and Samuel), Jefferson and many more and God is in their books in a very positive way.

Maybe they want to burn all the books thinking that will get rid of God.

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- UpholderOftheConstitution
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:13am
  I agree, as a student of History for many years I cannot even begin to listen to someone who draws the illogical conclusion that our forefathers believed in establishing this country with the intent that God and Christianity was not going to be a part of it. The whole idea is preposterous and gets thrown out by the historical record itself! Sit down atheist and enjoy your freedom of your humanist religion (and yes you are practicing a religion).
  
  I do not want to silence their voice but I do want to squash their rewriting of historical proof that our forefathers were God-fearing men who believed in faith.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:48am
  These were men who went to Church 14 days a week. Do any Americans manage that? Nay, they just find time on Easter and Christmas
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:53am
Calm down all you God haters. The Democrats let the world know that they hate God too when they took Him off their platform to begin with. They put Him back, kind of, only to get a few votes.

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curmudgeon60
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:52am
Sorry EDWINA–But I’m not “seeing” through the same mirror you are! “Co-mingling of God and politics that we are INCREASINGLY seeing”– I’m 63 years old and I see it decreasing—and isn’t it Freedom OF religion=Freedom OF speech.
God looks pretty buff in that pic–I never pictured HIM that way.

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A Mom
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:51am
Yah know if people want to sound smart and speak with authority its better if you KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT!

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woodyee
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:47am
The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. This bozo proselytizes for a group called Freedom From Religion. Ignoring the difference between the words “of” and “from”, she feigns knowledge of the intent of the Founders.

A classic Lefty – words mean only what THEY want them to mean. See “Debbie Wasserman Schultz”.

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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:46am
The devils tools: Fear, Doubt, UNBELIEF. These people are the devils tools. There is no freedom in being against. Freedom is Choice..then live with the consequences of that choice. Some people choose to live in darkness with no eternal soul and others Choose Light and Eternal Life. ” When wicked and unprincipled persons have gone on a course of sin to the degree that they can scarcely hope for pardon, and find they have reason to FEAR the Just judgment of God for their sins, they begin, at first, to wish that there was NO God to punish them (which they think would be in their best interest) And so, by degrees they persuade themselves that there is NO God. Then they determine to find arguments to back their opinion in order to prove what they are willing to believe. To them their is neither God nor devil; heaven or hell.
(most don’t want to be inconvenienced and quit their life of sin)” John Bunyon.

When a person sits down and studies the Bible it tells how to live and prosper and be a blessing to others. Conservapedia: Pascal’s Wager. If I am wrong and there is no God I have lost nothing. But, If I am right and there is a God I have gained Everything. If you are right and there is no God you’ve lost nothing. But, if you are wrong and there is a God you’ve lost Everything.

Mr. Jefferson NEVER, EVER said there should be a forbidding of the expression of Christianity.
He did not want a preference toward any one religion. THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF G

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TomSawyer
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:39am
Deliberately taking God out seems like atheism. Using the word god does not support a specific religion. How is it so different from “endowed by our Creator”?

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biohazard23
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:28am
When’s Ms Gaylor going to file suit against the DNC for this, hmmm?

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javasport
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:22am
Saying “God” in a government sponsored forum does not make an established religion any more than saying “Habeus Corpus” makes you a member of the Bar.

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paulusmaximus
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:19am
The intent of the A-theist religion is to prohibit those who profess a knowledge of the true GOD from expressing their belief. This is a real violation of the protection provided us in OUR constitution.The GOD of heaven has always been a basic tenet in the laws of this nation.

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javasport
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:17am
Give me a break. Saying “God” in a government sponsored forum does not make an established religion any more than saying “Habeus Corpus” makes you a member of the Bar.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:15am
So once again, we have history being rewirtten by the opponents of religion and freedom of choice in worship. Our founders were clear and direct that the limit on religion in church/state is to ensure that no form of religion takes precidence over another at the hands of government.

In limiting government this way; they established true freedom of religious choice, and not the means of elimination of religion as these people are claiming and seeking.

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The Jewish Avenger
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:06am
An athiet angrily lashing out because the majority of America believes in God?

Go figure.

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The Jewish Avenger
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:04am
Why does always remind me of a conehead….

Is she from France?

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JimCS
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:01am
There is no such thing as “separation of church and state.” All the Constitution says is that there will be no establishment of religion nor any interference with the free expression thereof. There was never any intention of banning it from government.

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- CoryGage
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:18am
  The actual wording of the constitution is “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” the wording separation of church and state comes from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, which is a good description of the clause. It has since been interpreted, by the Supreme Court, that the government shall not endorse a religion, which means giving attention to any religion over another.
  
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- booger71
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 10:08am
  interpreted, by the Supreme Court, that the government shall not endorse a religion, which means giving attention to any religion over another.
  —————————-
  And you do realize the Supreme Court has been violating the Constitution by attempting to “interpret it don’t you?
  
  Report this comment

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