"In God we trust"

#1 10-29-2005, 02:50 PM

Someone in a previous thread asked why atheists have such a need to evangelise with apparant 'bitterness'.

I think the frequency with which the phrase "in God we trust" appears around America explains one of my motivations for evangelising (is that a word?) atheism.

To try to convey to believers the problem with that message, try to imagine a hypothetical country which is the richest and most powerful in the world, but even the most intelligent and powerful people in that country swear by their analagous motto "In the magic 8-ball we trust".

Its a very very scary idea.

Most of the religious posters agree that you have to abandon logic to take the leap of faith (I think). The most powerful country in the world run by people who have abandoned logic? Scary. And worth some effort 'evangelising' to try to change it.

#2 10-29-2005, 03:08 PM

I don't know that it is worth even a modicum of effort to try and change the religious status quo but will still agree with your overall statement.
Living in a country where a large number of people think it's really really a big deal whether or not "under god" is kept in the pledge of allegiance can be annoying at best.

g

RJT · #3 10-29-2005, 03:45 PM

So you are saying that these atheists are bringing their biases (justified or not ) to the discussion table? I happen to think that is the case, but only they say if it is the case or not.

#4 10-29-2005, 04:09 PM

Of course atheists are bringing their biases to the table...i dont truly consider myself an atheist but I am biased as well.
Simply a hell of a lot less biased than most religious people.
There is bitterness because of what I consider to be supremely stupid people inconveniencing my life with their rhetoric.
That is all.

g

kbfc · #5 10-29-2005, 05:49 PM

[ QUOTE ]
So you are saying that these atheists are bringing their biases (justified or not ) to the discussion table? I happen to think that is the case, but only they say if it is the case or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

To refer back to the other thread, this is only important if the person in question is also unable to recognize when some bias might be affecting his rationale, and thus account for it.

That said, in my case, years ago I gave up the idea of "making a difference" by spreading atheism to the evangelized masses. Presently, I bring as much bias to this forum as I do the golf course.

RJT · #6 10-29-2005, 06:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So you are saying that these atheists are bringing their biases (justified or not ) to the discussion table? I happen to think that is the case, but only they say if it is the case or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

To refer back to the other thread, this is only important if the person in question is also unable to recognize when some bias might be affecting his rationale, and thus account for it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, exactly.

[ QUOTE ]
That said, in my case, years ago I gave up the idea of "making a difference" by spreading atheism to the evangelized masses. Presently, I bring as much bias to this forum as I do the golf course.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice comparison.

Jeff V · #7 10-29-2005, 06:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think the frequency with which the phrase "in God we trust" appears around America explains one of my motivations for evangelising (is that a word?) atheism.

[/ QUOTE ]

You should maybe check your history to find our founding fathers thoughts on faith.

[ QUOTE ]
you have to abandon logic to take the leap of faith (I think). The most powerful country in the world run by people who have abandoned logic? Scary. And worth some effort 'evangelising' to try to change it.

[/ QUOTE ]

This statement is logical? Gimme a break.

kbfc · #8 10-29-2005, 06:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You should maybe check your history to find our founding fathers thoughts on faith.

[/ QUOTE ]

This isn't going to help your case.

joel2006 · #9 10-30-2005, 12:38 AM

The phrase "In god we trust" was put on US currency by Republicans (Eisenhower Admin.) in the 1950's ostensibly as a way to distinguish US from the godless commies. it speaks volumes that the founding fathers had this option and declined it.

KeysrSoze · #10 10-30-2005, 08:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The phrase "In god we trust" was put on US currency by Republicans (Eisenhower Admin.) in the 1950's ostensibly as a way to distinguish US from the godless commies. it speaks volumes that the founding fathers had this option and declined it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it happened during the Civil War and aftermath, when a lot of people were scared and tired and "got their Religion on"
http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-...-we-trust.html

It was the "One Nation under God" phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance that was adden in 1954, after WWII and during the cold-war versus the goddless commies, when coincidentally people were once more tired and scared and got their god on again.