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September 9th, 2013
03:29 PM ET
Fox News host: Atheists 'don't have to live here'By Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN) - Fox News pundit Dana Perino said she's "tired" of atheists attempting to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, adding, "if these people really don't like it, they don't have to live here." The co-host of Fox's "The Five" was referring to a suit brought by the American Humanist Association in Massachusetts, where the state's Supreme Judicial Court heard a challenge to the pledge on Wednesday. The group's executive director, Roy Speckhardt, called the suit "the first challenge of its kind," but Perino begged to differ. Perino, who was White House press secretary for George W. Bush from 2007-2009, said she recalled working at the Justice Department in 2001 "and a lawsuit like this came through." The former Bush spokeswoman added that "before the day had finished the United States Senate and the House of Representatives had both passed resolutions saying that they were for keeping ‘under God’ in the pledge." "If these people don't like it, they don't have to live here," Perino added. David Silverman, president of the American Atheists, called Perino's comments "bigotry." "I, for one, am tired of those Christians, like Ms. Perino, who think that equality is somehow un-American," Silverman said. "If Ms. Perino doesn't like being only equal, it is she who will have to leave America to some other country that doesn't value religious liberty." READ MORE: Famous Atheists and Their Beliefs In 2002, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with atheist Michael Newdow who argued that the words "under God" in the pledge amounted to an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. The Supreme Court overturned that ruling. Congress added the words "under God" in 1954 amid the red scare over the Soviet Union. In November 2002, after the Newdow ruling, Congress passed a law reaffirming "under God" in the pledge. Greg Gutfeld, another co-host on "The Five," continued the discussion after Perino, saying the Pledge of Allegiance "is not a prayer, it's a patriotic exercise. In a sense, it's basically saying: Thanks for giving us the freedom to be an atheist." The Massachusetts case, which was brought by an unidentified family of a student at a school in suburban Boston, will be argued on the premise that the pledge violates the Equal Rights Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution. READ MORE: Behold, the Six Types of Atheists It is the first such case to be tried on the state level: All previous attempts have been argued in federal court on the grounds that "under God" was an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state. CNN's Kevin Conlon contributed to this report. soundoff (7,255 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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On the other hand, Fox News hosts don't have to live here either.
" American Humanist Association" another name for "American Communist Association"
Many of our founding fathers were humanists.
Me – another name for "I make up random stuff that sounds good to me."
How many hours a day to you practice before you post online? Whatever the number is...it is the right amount. Congrats
Secular humanism and communism have nothing to do with each other.
Nobody hated communists more than Ayn Rand, the darling of capitalism, and she was an atheist.
Why are Christians always so offended when Atheists want to revert the pledge to its original form. Atheists have been a big part of this country since its founding, so why be exclusionary with our pledge of allegiance? I don't understand how the original pledge hurts Christians.
They are why the founding fathers wrote the First Amendment.
Is this really the best story you came up with? You're a pathetic journalist
and yet you read it...........AND commented
Yea i read it and just as they are free to say the crap they want on fox this crap can be wrote. Lets play dictator and bash each others freedoms
Every country on the planet identifies with some sort of religion..If you do not like the pledge don't say it. A lot stuff like this is for $$ or to be seen in the news. Get over it already,
I could have used your same argument to say the pledge should never have been changed in 1954. For all of those that wanted to add "under God" they should have been told to get over it.
Why have a pledge that is supposed to be for all of we the people, that exludes so many of we the people. The pastor who wrote the original did not include a reference to any gods, and the phrase was added illegaly in the fifties. Time to set it right. Next is removing the lie "in god we trust" from our money and all government buildings.
So then Richard C...
Freedoms such as religious divisions with regards to Christendom and the Muslim Brotherhoods of Islamic religions are to become a U.S. quagmire within the "framed works" of Constitutionalized America..? Are eyeing Americans taking the social plunge against Christendom's core values while allowing Islamist revolutionaries of Jihadist groupings upon American soil..?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PnN77KCx9Kw
Agree with you, Richard! It's a shame that the original pledge was tampered with in the 1950s. It was fine without 'under God.' Now it's a gross violation of the sacred separation of church and state.
Every country? You sure about that?
And if your assertion was correct, does every country include their chosen diety in a pledge or national anthem?
Please provide details
THis moron has never been to another country! Sweden! Netherlands! Iceland! What imaginary friends do you think these people identify with?
"Get over it, already" Come, now. If you really thought others should just get over it then you too should be able to just get over removing these words which were not even part of the original pledge and the pledge was not even something conceived of at the founding of the country.
If it said "in no god we trust", you would be crying and stamping your foot to have it removed. How then would you feel if someone told you, to "just not say it"? This is an idiotic double standard. It isn't just about atheists, there are many religions that have no concept of a god, buddhism, taoism, etc. We are talking about removing a phrase, not adding one....and it's for the equality of all. Last time I checked it was freedom for all, not freedom for the Christians. SMH
If Fox News hosts don't like Obama, they don't have to live here.
FYI>> The seperation of church and state was to protect the church from the state, not the other way around. If and when the atheist succeed in changing everything to suit them, let's see how they react when their beliefs (or non beliefs) are challanged in court.
That's the way our country works–if you think something is wrong, you challenge it in court and the court decides const.itutionality. What's wrong with that?
You could not be more wrong. Separation of church and state means freedom of religion (all religions, not just yours) and freedom from religion.
I beg to differ. Look it up.
Becky, you just might be retarded.
Becky,
Here's a start in your "look it up":
“Religious inst.itutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state,' therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.” - Thomas Jefferson
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.”― James Madison
(*Madison was referring to the State religions of Europe.)
p.s. Becky, you need to learn to spell too.
Ah, but Becky you are leaving out the Establishment Clause. We must not forget that. Let's get some reflections on that important component of the 1st Amendment:
James Madison (4th POTUS, chief architect of the U.S. Constitution & the Bill of Rights):
"Every new & successful example therefore of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters, is of importance. And I have no doubt that every new example, will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.
The Civil Govt, tho' bereft of everything like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability and performs its functions with complete success, Whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church from the State."
Thomas Jefferson:
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state."
Separation of church and state was designed to keep the government from endorsing a religion. Adding "under dog" do the pledge clearly violates this.
"Under God" was not added to the Pledge until 1954. "In God We Trust" was not adopted as the official motto until 1956 and did not appear on currency until 1957. Get rid of it. Christians are certainly not "discriminated" against in this country, they are free to worship in any way they choose. However, they are NOT allowed to force their religion down any other persons throat, be they Muslim, Hindu, Scientologist or believers in any other mass delusion. Would Christians feel the same way if the Pledge stated "one nation, under Allah" or the motto was "In Cthulhu We Trust"?
You're an idiot. Separation of church and state protects EVERYONE, not just christards. It means that the church can't step in to the political or public arena (thus pushing their unfounded beliefs on everyone) and in turn they remain tax free. Do some research instead of being a sheep and only listening to what you Momma and Daddy (aka Grandpa) spew to you.
'If and when the atheist succeed in changing everything to suit them, let's see how they react when their beliefs (or non beliefs) are challanged in court.'
interesting, so when atheists have everything then see how they like being challenged? does that mean then that you are admitting that christianity is currently pushing itself into everything and there isnt 'equality'?
Thomas Jefferson said that the gov't shall not interfere with religion and religion shall not interfere with gov't. That there shall be a wall of separation between the two. Meaning that they should be independent of one another, or secular.
Becky, that is utter nonsense. What challenge would there be to a non-belief. A separation of Church and State means the State can not force religious beliefs on you, i.e. an atheist can not be forced to become Muslim, a Christian Jewish, a Jew Zoroastrian, etc.
I wonder if Christians really understand that those words imply America should be one nation under Allah.
Becky,
Hi Becky,
You are incorrect.
'Separation of church and state' is a doctrine meant to ensure that the state cannot dictate one's religion.
Those who settled in the colonies in the 1600s were often feeling monarchies that were imposing their religion on the populace. They were forced to be a part of the Church of England, et.al. And they wanted to be free to practice their own religion, so they left to form this country. Thankfully, our government does not impose any religion on us.
Let's keep it that way! Let's support separation of church and state. You practice your religion to your heart's content, but don't allow the government to be involved in religion.
I mean no one can really be surprised that a Fox News reporter said something stupid and bigoted, right?
Atheists are people with a mentality of a teenager. They just never grow past that.
God changes lives – look what he changed you into.
AtheisFools,
So what are people who believe in unicorns, talking serpents and dragons? Oooops.
Right because believing in ghosts and immortality + your inability to get over the fear that you will be dead and never exist again... isn't immature.
Yeah, they never grow past what mommy and daddy taught them was true, right?
Beleives in talking snakes! Calls other people stupid! You cant make this kind of stupid up!
And calling someone retarded falls to the atheists....name calling is your game not ours.
I believe the original poster completely invalidates your point Becky.
Is that what your religion and God taught you? Your the one who believes in a little man in the sky who created everything.
but atheistfools, you yourself are an atheist so why bother posting?
we know you must be an atheist because believers are expressly forbidden from bearing false witness and spreading hate.
Re: "…bigotry…I, for one, am tired of those Christians, like Ms. Perino, who think that equality is somehow un-American."
"If Ms. Perino doesn't like being only equal, it is she who will have to leave America to some other country that doesn't value religious liberty." {D.Silverman, American Atheists president, referring to ‘C.I.N.O.’Perino's unprofessional comments}
Although I remain a polytheist, (having left ancestral monotheism…A.S.A.P.), I give atheists/agnostics a LOT of credit!
BTW: One DOESN’T see atheists &/or agnostics carjacking airliners and flying them into buildings!
Atheists &/or agnostics seldom, if ever, bomb houses of worship, or abortion providers, for that matter!
Atheists &/or agnostics DON’T hold up silly, cruel, scientifically preposterous signs indicating their Deity hates some of His/Her’s/It’s (gay) creations, loves I.E.D.’s, or targets specific countries for Dietistic vengeance, as a whole!
Intolerant Monotheists gave humanity the destroyed World Trade Center complex & damaged pentagon, a 12 year corporate war in Iraq, etc., costing $3-trillion & counting…
A million+ ‘Collaterals, Damaged’;
…NOT including the military & civilian contractors, dead, missing, maimed!
Atheists &/or agnostics DON’T attempt to avoid moral, criminal, civil & financial responsibility for their wars via puerile rhetoric, such as:
‘plausible deniability’, ‘collaterals, damaged’, ‘we-had-to-destroy-the-village-to-save-it’, & such like verbal monstrosities!
Atheists &/or agnostics DON’T initiate corporate profiteering jihads in multiple countries…
Simultanously!
…Intolerant Monotheists do!
I really appreciate all of the innuendo that you have in your comment...I Graduated from religion long ago however I feel that this entire Atheist vs. Christians thing is so useless and a waste of valuable energy...Where did you get these facts you are quoting or are these just the un-verifiable rantings of a person on his own soapbox...? If Atheist/Agnostics do not believe in God, that is their right, just as it is my right to believe in what I believe, however I do not have the right to impose my beliefs on others...Whether or not they agree with the concept, America has the right to believe that they are a Nation "Under God", even if they are not!
Regardless of what anyone believes, America is a Nation Under Something, correct? Why not be "Under God"?
I feel that whomever doesn't like EVERYTHING about America, can always find themselves another country to reside in...Then I say to them, try out your Atheism where ever you go and see how that works for you, ok?
A small part of The Greatness of this Country is that we all have the right to do as we desire-And to receive the benefits or consequences of those desires!
You don't need to llive here. Free country. Move if you don't like the traditions that found our country but don't call them illegal. There not. They are a value system. If you don't like the values. Again...Move.
Absolutely. Any christian who does not value the separation of church and state that our founding fathers very wisely guaranteed in our Constitution can leave. Perhaps a theocracy like Iran would be more to their liking.
@SCBAMA,
Not sure if you're referring to something else, but the pledge was updated in 1954 to include "under God", so founding traditions don't apply.
The pledge was modified in 1954, "under dog" was not a part of the original pledge.
You mean the 'traditions' like slavery?
All traditions were new once. Not sure why people think that traditional means untouchable.
I value tthe English language which you clearly do not, so you should leave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Lr8FexoNO1M
I was in school when it changed and frankly didn't see why then or now. As for Ms. Perino apparently she has forgotten that this country was founded to be free to practice any religion or not, it is that which makes us great. As for removing under God from the Pledge, i don't see that it is going to damage us in any way. We made up to 1954 without it I think we will survive the future. It is how we treat each other as Americans that is what makes us great, not which God we choose or choose not to believe in. Something we have forgotten these past 50 plus years. People get a grip and how i wish the Fox news station did not exist. Such incredible misinformation from supposedly a learned group of people. That Ms. Perino perhaps shares my heritage makes me ill also.
Does this reasoning apply to Christians in Egypt? They should get out. Maybe all will be welcomed into USA, all 6-7 million of them.
Maybe they'd be welcome if they were evangelical Christians, but Coptics?!? Forget about it! The same folks who are upset at the idea of removing "Under God" from the pledge are the same type of Americans who kept Jews fleeing from 1930s Germany from immigrating. They want the whole pie for themselves.
Are you trying to use reason and logic with right-wing christian nuts?
Why wouldn't they be? Everyone else is...
To the American Atheists ...leave my GOD alone.
To the American mythological believers, religious people. Leave your silly god out of the discussion.
It is remarks like yours that show how immature and disrespectfull of ones' beliefs athiests are.
Of course but yet believing in a god that would send its people to hell for not believing is so much better. I think you're too young to using a computer...best run a long now and get educated little girl!
wouldn't want to bully the little guy
No one is doing anything to your god. No one CAN do anything to your god, because your god is not real.
We would like to... but some of you INSIST that we thank "your" god for our secular government.
Surely your god is big enough to fight his own battles.
Stop shoving your god down every else's throat!
Don't you just love how religious folks pretend they're more patriotic than the non-religious yet they support their religion over the Const.itution every time? Since that's an issue non-religious folks don't have, who's really more patriotic?
Let's see... A corrupt government where people say stupid things.. What else is new? Trouble in the Middle East?
Look, we live in a nation where you cannot be punished for the things that you say – and that is a good freedom to have. Obviously, people are going to eventually say things that offend you, but it's just someone's opinion, and everybody's got one. Whatever happened to the "sticks and stones" poem that we all learned in kindergarten?
My father in law – brilliant man – says "some people talk just to hear their head rattle..." So someone says something you don't like. Does that REALLY affect you? Nope. Only if you let it.
It's like that senator who said: "If you put that military installation all on one side of that island, then I'm worried that the island is going to tip over..." You've just got to stand back and let them prove to the world that their brains have leaked out of their ears YEARS ago... Then go on about your day.
That's what makes freedom wonderful, you have the right to remain silent if you don't want to say the phrase, 'one nation under God'.
The phrase was illegally added in the fifties. Either prove that there is a god to be under or remove it. It was supposed to be for all of we the people, and the christians corrupted it and took it from we the people.
Good idea. We can add the words "or no God at all" and you can stay silent.
And Americans also have the right to challenge the legality of a phrase added to the pledge long after the pledge had become a part of our culture. It was "One nation, indivisible" until Cold War christians decided to divide it with their god.
Well then, how about we change the phrase to "One nation, under Allah" and see how you like it? All you've got to do is remain silent right?
"we live in a nation where you cannot be punished for the things that you say "
Please, please, please, please, go to a local radio station, buy some air time and repeat the "N" word 1000 times.
Post something derogatory (just your opinion) about your boss on Face Book
Tell all your co-workers you're an Atheist and tell them why you think the Christian God and Jesus are just mythological figures.
Dana,you are the one who needs to leave this country because ignorants like you are damaging this nation
What makes your opinon any better than hers?
His is based on facts and reality, her's is bigoted and hateful...kind of like your opinion is!
I only asked a question. Why does that offend you? Are all atheist as angry as you? Do you think everyone is out to get you? You should have your meds upped.
No honey, you were ignorant. Meds are usually required by those who hear voices...you should check in to it. 🙂
Heard all of these before ...
Atheists don't need to live here
Jews don't need to live here
Buddhists don't need to live here
Blacks don't need to live here
Dana Perino just wants everyone she disagrees with or doesn't like to leave the country. Typical Fox news small mindedness. Maybe George Washington, James Monroe, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen and John Adams none of whom believed in Dana Perino's personal God should have stayed here and helped to found this country.
As far as I am concerned all Atheists can go to hell!
Classy – good thing there's no such place.
it's your hell, you go there!
The Pope says they can go to heaven, and the Pope outranks you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQ6M02tgbc
We can see Jeebus and how he changes lives shining through you!
Nope sorry hell is only for those weak minded enough to believe it exists.
Too bad we don't believe any Hell exists. Your threats are likened to that of a hippie threatening to "punch you in your aura". lol
ahhh hahaah i get it. nice joke. Athiests dont believe in hell!!! took me a while to get this