Why are they offended, really? Because it profits them.
Posted on 01/14/2005 3:32:57 PM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - An atheist group is criticizing President Bush for saying he can't see how one can be president without a relationship with the Lord. Bush's comments were "divisive," they say, and an insult to those who don't believe in religious creeds or a deity.
Bush's interview with the Washington Times "demonstrates clearly that he does not respect the diversity of the country, and the fact that nonbelievers and so-called 'seculars' are one of the fastest growing segments of American society," said Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists.
"He just doesn't get it," said Johnson, "and he seems to ignore the fact that in our Constitution we do not have a religious test for those seeking public office."
When Washington Times' editor-in-chief Wesley Pruden asked him about the role of prayer in next week's inauguration and what he thinks is the proper role of his personal faith in the public arena, Bush said: "First of all, I will have my hand on the Bible. I read the article today, and I don't - it's interesting, I don't think faith is under attack.
"I think there are some who worry about a president who is faith-based, a person who openly admits that I accept the prayers of the people, trying to impose my will on others. I fully understand that the job of the president is and must always be protecting the great right of people to worship or not worship as they see fit," Bush said.
"That's what distinguishes us from the Taliban. The greatest freedom we have - or one of the greatest freedoms - is the right to worship the way you see fit. And on the other hand, I don't see how you can be president - at least from my perspective, how you can be president, without a - without a relationship with the Lord," he added.
Johnson was also offended by Bush's claim that the difference between America and the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan was simply "the right to worship the way you see fit."
"The real distinction between American and governments like the Taliban is that at least on paper, we have a Constitutional commitment to separation of government and religion," she said. "We have freedom of and freedom from religion."
Policies like the president's faith-based initiative or efforts to keep the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance show that Bush is dedicated to using the power of the state to advance religion, argued Dave Silverman, communications director for American Atheists.
"He wants all Americans, including over 30 million non-religious citizens, to subsidize religion-based social programs, and he wants to protect ceremonial religious rituals like the post-1954 Pledge of Allegiance," said Silverman.
Silverman accused Bush of trying to turn the government into a "religion bully."
"President Bush goes far beyond keeping his faith to himself. He's trying to turn our government into a 'religion bully' where the state enforces religious belief and religious correctness. That's un-American," he concluded.
I'm beginning to think that atheists have a knee-jerk-offense-taking syndrome.
"Bush's comments were divisive, they say, and an insult to those who don't believe in religious creeds or a deity."
Tell it to Honest Abe. He said pretty much the same thing as Bush.
The fact that Ms. Johnson and Mr. Silverman are "offended" blowhards offends me. But it's ok to offend people who believe in G-d. What chutzpah!!
Good. I'm glad they're offended. I hope they shed many tears over this.
I just can't state strongly enough how much I feeeeel their pain. sarcasm off
Why are they offended, really? Because it profits them.
Why are they offended, really? Because it profits them.
Funny, I never hear these folks complain about all the Democrats who use black churches for political rallies and invoke pseudo-religious rhetoric every election cycle.
I can't imagine someone being president of the United States who is not a Republican. Divisive? Maybe.
As an agnostic...my reaction is COOL!!!!
Am I to presume, then, that Atheists would prefer a President who thinks he is God, then?
Maybe that's why they supported John Kerry...
Athiest's remarks about President Bush offends ME!
"The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought" -- the president was speaking in Washington -- "are still at issue around the globe: the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God."
John F. Kennedy
Inaugural Address
1/20/1961
"We believe, that all men have a right to equal justice under law and equal opportunity to share in the common good. . . . We believe that all men are created equal because they are created in the image of God. From this faith we will not be moved. . . .
Harry S. Truman
Inaugural Address
1/20/1949
"Our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away. We have learned that we must live as men, not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger. . . . Almighty God has . . . given our people stout hearts and strong arms with which to strike mightily blows for freedom and truth. He has given to our country a faith which has become the hope of all peoples in an anguished world."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Final Inaugural Address
1/20/1945
Silverfish was on Joe country last night. He is an anti-American punk.
Could you clarify exactly how you feel about her.
I`m getting a negative impression here.(ha ha)
To "BFD" and "TFB", I add a hearty "WFD"!!!
Or for a slightly cleaner version from Stripes, "Lighten up, Francis..."
I'll help you with the later.
LVM
Wow... for people who don't believe in God, they sure are quick to take offense at those who do. I mean if He doesn't exist, what President Bush said about his faith should beside the point and it certainly should have drawn a yawn instead of howls of indignant protests. Are atheists in fact conceding what other people believe matters to them more than they think? It sure looks like it.
"I'm beginning to think that atheists have a knee-jerk-offense-taking syndrome."
Yes. They tend to be highly anxious neurotic people who are frightened by the very concept of reliance on a higher power.
People like these two twits are pimples on the ass of the body politic and normal people can be forgiven for the temptation to go out of our ways to offend them at every possible opportunity.
They pretty much prove the President's point with their mindless, bitter, hateful comments.
Because atheism is the least logical religion of all....
Well, Ellen. Feel free to get an atheist elected. Then they can make whatever comments they care to about their beliefs. Otherwise, you sound like a fussbudget.
Atheists want attention and will do anything to get it. Does this sound like a bunch of two year-olds? Uh huh.
"Well La-Dee-Freaking-Da!"
He doesn't hide it under a bushel, nor does he apologize.
May we all be as bold.
Whoa! Freedom FROM religion????
When this woman fell out of the stupid tree, she must have hit EVERY branch on the way down!
GOD BLESS GEORGE BUSH, AND THE ATHEISTS REMARKS OFFENDS ME
"...we do not have a religious test for those seeking public office."
Someone needs to tell the stupid atheists that "we do not have a religious test for those seeking public office." The president can believe anything he wants!
These people would be offended no matter what. The good thing is that the more regular people hear from these hysterical folks, the better for our side.
Well, Madeleine Murray O'Hare died and someone had to pick up the torch.
In a related story, Bush's remark on crime offends criminals. Film at 11.
>Are atheists in fact conceding what other people believe
>matters to them more than they think?
When you live out atheism, this is what you do, you become man-centric.
>"We have freedom of and freedom from religion."
Atheists are too quick to keep Christians from their "of" in the name of their own "from".
>He wants all Americans, including over 30 million
>non-religious citizens, to subsidize religion-based social
>programs...
Which *are* the most effective when you look at the hard numbers.
I believe LBJ --or perhaps that unusually good Liar Mr.Bill
were perhaps the closest I can recall to atheists have
ever held the office of the Presidency -but even those
two Jacki professed to be Christian. If any wishes to see
divisivness all they need do is listen to Michael Newdow--
or what Soviet Communists of the ACLU (anti-Christian Liars Union)are saying.
These people aren't really offended by what President Bush SAID, but just the fact that he exists and was reelected. Well, I'm truly sorry that they're offended, but I thank God in Heaven that George W. Bush is President of the United States of Ameirca, and I'm grateful that the President is a believer in Jesus Christ.
Some 'atheists' undoubtedly do. But what motivates them is not their atheism, it is what underlies and motivates their atheism....socialism/communism...and its inherent anti-Americanism. This atheist is not at all offended by what the President said...in fact I fully understand it...even 'agree' with it, at least the idea if not the wording and structure.
I think what the President was saying was that the job of President requires a firm grounding in right and wrong in terms of decision making. He has to understand why what is right is right and why what is wrong is wrong. The decisions he faces are complex and difficult and he needs to understand how to make the right call. Responding based on his 'feelings' is a recipe for disaster...see his predecessor. And his conception of the roots of morality is religious. I think that is what he was really saying when talked about needing a relationship with the Lord. Now, I understand that he might disagree with that idea...that the relationship itself is what is important as opposed to what he gets out of that relationship, that is his morality and the motivation and courage to do the right thing.
That is the idea that so many 'atheists' find so abhorrent...that there is a right and wrong. Many people arrive at atheism for disgusting reasons...they are running from morality and the concepts of right and wrong and personal responsibility. That is fundamentally why marxism is atheistic...it is absurdly wrong, a massive violation of rights, and so its followers cannot have any proper grounding in morality, which includes most religions.
That is why those 'atheists' who do object to the President's statement object....they despise morality, the responsibility of judgment of right and wrong. It is not about their atheism nor is their sentiment intrinsic to atheism.
Yeah, well the whining hysteria of atheists offends me and I'm not born again or devoutly religious.
Since everything is a popularity contest with the loony left, I hope it concerns them that they are offending almost all their fellow citizens.
They should get a life. Simple as that. Get a life. Do something constructive for a change. Be productive. If they are offended...well, guess they'll just have to get over it now wont' they? They OFFEND ME only I don't care about them so I move on. They should too.
Being offended is a part of life.
The leftist Theophobes lacking in self esteem, can't help but being offended when they leave their ivory towers.
( I couldn't find a good clear shot of BJ with his hand on a Bible)
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