Excellent opinion piece on Pledge controversy, from New Republic

shemp · 8th April 2004, 07:29 AM

Quote:

It is never long before one nation under God gives way to one God under a nation.

gnome · 8th April 2004, 05:58 PM

My favorite bit:

Quote:

Breyer's solution was another attempt to salvage religious expression by emptying it of religious content. But why should a neutralized God be preferred to a neutral government? The preference is attractive only if religion is regarded primarily from the standpoint of politics.

Regnad Kcin · 8th April 2004, 06:44 PM

One of my favorite bits:

Quote:

[The founders] were, many of them, Deists -- which is to say, the United States was created in the very short period in history when it was theologically respectable to believe in a God that never intervenes in the world that He (the pronoun is ridiculous) created. In the matter of our religious origins, then, we were freakishly fortunate. No theology more convenient for a secular democracy ever existed. But there are no Deists in America anymore. This is why it was exceedingly odd to hear the controversial words in the Pledge described at the Court with Eugene Rostow's phrase "ceremonial deism." Ceremonial theism, perhaps; but that is a more highly charged activity. If there were still Deists in America, we would enjoy more cultural peace.

The idea · 8th April 2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Regnad Kcin
But there are no Deists in America anymore.

Maybe there should be a SETI-style project to find Deists in America.

United Deist Community

Brown · 8th April 2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Regnad Kcin
One of my favorite bits....

Quote:

If there were still Deists in America....

This made me think of Bidlack.

8th April 2004, 07:29 AM	#1
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,885	Excellent opinion piece on Pledge controversy, from New Republic Under God And Over Quote: It is never long before one nation under God gives way to one God under a nation.
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

8th April 2004, 05:58 PM	#2
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,869	My favorite bit: Quote: Breyer's solution was another attempt to salvage religious expression by emptying it of religious content. But why should a neutralized God be preferred to a neutral government? The preference is attractive only if religion is regarded primarily from the standpoint of politics.
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,869	__________________

8th April 2004, 06:44 PM	#3
Regnad Kcin Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The ol' Same place Posts: 6,212	One of my favorite bits: Quote: [The founders] were, many of them, Deists -- which is to say, the United States was created in the very short period in history when it was theologically respectable to believe in a God that never intervenes in the world that He (the pronoun is ridiculous) created. In the matter of our religious origins, then, we were freakishly fortunate. No theology more convenient for a secular democracy ever existed. But there are no Deists in America anymore. This is why it was exceedingly odd to hear the controversial words in the Pledge described at the Court with Eugene Rostow's phrase "ceremonial deism." Ceremonial theism, perhaps; but that is a more highly charged activity. If there were still Deists in America, we would enjoy more cultural peace.
	__________________ My heros are Alex Zanardi and Evelyn Glennie.

8th April 2004, 06:59 PM	#4
The idea Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,547	Quote: Originally posted by Regnad Kcin But there are no Deists in America anymore. Maybe there should be a SETI-style project to find Deists in America. United Deist Community
	__________________ I resolve to neither provoke nor appease evil.

8th April 2004, 07:00 PM	#5
Brown Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 12,150	Quote: Originally posted by Regnad Kcin One of my favorite bits.... Quote: If there were still Deists in America.... This made me think of Bidlack.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice