http://ocolly.com/2008/06/11/religion-in-the-white-house/ Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Religion in the White House
Politics & religion don’t mix
By B. Scmidt
Design Editor
“One nation, under God.”
“In God we trust.”
As Americans, we’ve all said those words in the Pledge of Allegiance or read them on money. But why?
President Bush consults with Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell when making major decisions. Bush and Caldwell were introduced at the 2000 Republican National Convention and developed a relationship, according to a Religious News Service. Caldwell calls Bush “Brother President.”
I hope you find this as disturbing as I do.
If you flip open the dictionary, (or are lazy like me and look it up online) the definition of “theocracy” reads “a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God’s or deity’s laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.”
Unless I am much mistaken, there is no mention of “God” in the Constitution, the highest law in the U.S.
I think it is irresponsible on the President’s part to consult spiritual leaders of only one religion. It makes no sense, as there are 313 religions recognized by the IRS’s “Publication 78,” a list of legitimate organizations eligible for tax-deductible donations.
Consulting only one religion alienates a large portion of the U.S. population that doesn’t fall under the “Christian” category.
On July 16, 2004, President Bush spoke in Pennsylvania to a group of Amish people. In keeping with his public-speaking brilliance, he uttered “God speaks through me.”
Really?
So, God spoke to Jesus through angels, but he takes the time to speak directly to you, Mr. President?
I find that hard to believe.
In an interview with the Washington Post, President Bush said he talks to God on a daily basis.
Christians love him for this. If he said he spoke to God through a toaster, they would think him insane.
I fail to see how the addition of a toaster makes it any more ridiculous.
Yes, the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom and I am being close-minded, but I am greatly irked when we forget religious freedom should also mean freedom from religion.
And that is why I think it’s time for an atheist to be president.
When someone defines marriage as between a man and a woman, where are they getting their definition? From religion.
I liken the Bible to Aesop’s fables — fiction, but with a good moral lesson to be learned. I have put my copy on the shelf and it is covered in dust.
I think it is about time for presidents to do the same.
Think about it. The elimination of the dominance of one religion in the government eliminates the possibility of alienating and angering one of the other 312 recognized religions in the U.S.
Atheism would lead to an unbiased form of presidential decision making.
I know most would counter my argument by saying atheists hate God, are out to kill religion and are generally crazy.
I counter with the wise words of Roman Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain in an interview with TIME Magazine: “The genuine, absolute atheist, with all his sincerity and devotion is but an abortive saint and, at the same time, a mistaken revolutionist.”
In conclusion, I leave you with my personal religious philosophy, as found on my favorite bumper sticker I’ve received on Facebook: “Living a godless existence ensures no terrifyingly bats— religious figure impacts my election decision.”
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