There are many tragedies and catastrophes in the world today. This column, compared to the rest of the horror in the world, is about a comparatively small form of discrimination that happens every day across the country; nevertheless, it is discrimination. I do not mean to suggest that there are not other more important things to think about, however, I would like to bring the issue to peoples’ attentions and divert thinking from main-stream ideas for a few moments. In the wake of disasters such as the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, much of the nation turns to religion. I do not have a problem with religion and people practicing their own beliefs, per say, but people in the media and anyone affiliated with the government should not make statements supporting any religion. Of course they may express their own religious beliefs, but asking the nation to “pray” for the victims or declaring a “National Day of Prayer” is a clear violation of the Constitution. I am even offended when newscasters sign off saying “God Bless.” The entire First Amendment of the Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Although this refers to Congress and making laws, the founders of this country obviously founded it on religious freedom. This includes freedom from religion as well. A very similar issue includes the use of the statements “In God We Trust” on currency and in the Pledge of Allegiance. That says that everyone in this country believes in, or should believe in, a Judeo-Christian God, which isnot true, and highly unconstitutional.
As a devout Atheist, I protest these phrases and support the returning of the Pledge of Allegiance to the pre-1942 version, the original version that does not include the statement “under God.” One can not argue that this country was founded on freedom and in the same breath declare that it was founded “under God” and that the phrase is justified. The endorsement of any religion by the government is anything but just. In current times, many presidents forget their oath of office.
The Constitution, in Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 states the Presidential Oath as being: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The oath does not specify that the left hand should be placed upon a Bible. In fact, not all presidents used a Bible for their inauguration, such as Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.
The word “faithfully” in this sense means devotedly. Nothing in the Constitution requires that the oath of office be taken on the Bible. Also, the words “so help me God” do not appear anywhere in the oath as written in the Constitution. While presidents often include this phrase at the end, the words are customary and therefore have no legal significance. Furthermore, the word “affirmation” was inserted in this section so that a president does not have to swear an oath to God as a condition of taking office. This provision was intended for Quakers, but it is worded broadly enough to encompass any person who objects to taking an oath, including nontheists.
Additionally, the president’s oath to uphold the Constitution includes all of its Amendments, including the right to freedom of and freedom from religion. Of course, one can make comments about their religious beliefs and say that they are praying; that is freedom of speech. But don’t ask America to pray. Many people are already being discriminated against by the Pledge of Allegiance and the national currency; not to mention plaques of the Ten Commandments and other religious monuments in or on governmental buildings across the country. Asking people to pray, declaring a National Day of Prayer or ending a speech with the words “God Bless” is offensive to nontheists.
These ideas are alienating to many. I am alienated any time someone makes a reference that assumes I am religious or that I believe in some higher power. If all references were left out, then no one would be offended. It is like telling someone to “avert their eyes” from a religious plaque; it is still there, and the principle is that it shouldn’t be. The very presence or mention to religion should not be made by a government official unless they are referring to their own practices or beliefs. A true leader would be able to leave all religious references out. After all, being a leader includes making sacrifices and staying neutral. It should be no different with matters of religion.
Atheists are one of the fastest growing “minority,” and we will continue to insist that the wall of church-state separation not be lowered or destroyed.