tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post114706284758834332..comments2023-10-24T04:29:23.693-06:00Comments on Atheist Ethicist: Militant AtheistsAlonzo Fyfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1147221429007359432006-05-09T18:37:00.000-06:002006-05-09T18:37:00.000-06:00Let them seek an amendment.The debate in the Senat...Let them seek an amendment.<BR/><BR/>The debate in the Senate and the House and the state legislatures needed to get it passed would provide a perfect opportunity to debate the issue.<BR/><BR/>Even if it passes -- recall that slavery was once written into the Constitution. It got repealed.Alonzo Fyfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1147216682277111162006-05-09T17:18:00.000-06:002006-05-09T17:18:00.000-06:00I support removing "under God" from the Pledge for...I support removing "under God" from the Pledge for the same reasons you mention, but the problem is if we win, will it just lead to a constitutional amendment enshrining that same bigotry into the Pledge more permanently?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1147144001723903412006-05-08T21:06:00.000-06:002006-05-08T21:06:00.000-06:00At first glance I though "a promise to hate" may b...At first glance I though "a promise to hate" may be a bit strong, but try the following thought experiment:<BR/><BR/>Replace the phrase "one nation, under god" with:<BR/><BR/>"one nation, white"<BR/>"one nation, heterosexual"<BR/><BR/>and it becomes quite clear that it *is* bigotry - a statement that excludes some people, intentionally or otherwise. Personally I'm not that attached to the conspiracy-theory interpretation - I think it could just as easily have been thoughtless.<BR/><BR/>But then, I was pretty young when I realized it was idiotic to pledge allegiance to a flag, and discovered that if you just stood there, nobody really noticed. (The flaws in this approach didn't occur to me until much later.) Somewhat older before I decided I wouldn't pledge it to the republic either, but to the principles the republic was based on. It's a subtle point, but a very important one - specifically, what do you do if the republic abandons its principles?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1147088873097675192006-05-08T05:47:00.000-06:002006-05-08T05:47:00.000-06:00Actually, I view the Pledge to be one of the most ...Actually, I view the Pledge to be one of the most important battles to fight.<BR/><BR/>The Pledge is nothing but a promise to hate.<BR/><BR/>The word 'indivisible' tells children to hate those who would rebel and split the country.<BR/><BR/>The words 'with liberty and justice at all' teach children that they are to hate tyranny and injustice.<BR/><BR/>Congress added the words 'under God' to the pledge because they wanted to teach children to hate atheists as they learn to hate rebels, tyrants, and criminals.<BR/><BR/>Of course, they were trying to teach children to hate communism. They voted in favor of teaching children to hate atheists.<BR/><BR/>This Pledge has had its desired effect. Telling the students to recite this pledge is no different than telling them that children with blue eyes are better than those with brown eyes, or those with light-colored skin are better than those with dark-colored skin.<BR/><BR/>The real reason why atheists are the most hated group in America is because they are told, every day, to stand, face the flag, put their hand over their heart, and swear an oath that they will grow up to hate those who are not "under God" as much as they are to hate rebels, tyrants, and criminals.Alonzo Fyfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-1147085112913915412006-05-08T04:45:00.000-06:002006-05-08T04:45:00.000-06:00Great post. I really enjoyed it. The version of th...Great post. I really enjoyed it. The version of the militant atheist myth which I have heard most often has been about how we atheists should do a better job in picking our battles. Thus, the suit over the pledge shouldn't have been brought because even a victory would be trivial and it generates bad publicity. While I disagree with this perspective, it seems to be a common one. Like you point out, these attitudes can be found among atheists as well as the superstitious.vjackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868095335395368227noreply@blogger.com