Posted by Jeff from LTU-207-73-68-181.LTU.EDU (207.73.68.181) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 1:04PM :
In Reply to: From a white honkie, part III :-) posted by Jeff from LTU-207-73-68-181.LTU.EDU (207.73.68.181) on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 12:58PM :
Editorial Note:
I know this honkie.
:-) She's sitting right next to me.
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Phantom13
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Baby Godzilla
Re: The anniversary of September 11th ( 19:05:30 Sat Sep 14 2002 ) InteractQuoteReport To ModLast PostsIgnore UserGlobal IgnoreWhisper
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Quote: battra92 at 15:17:33 Sat Sep 14 2002
Quote: Phantom13 at 14:42:01 Sat Sep 14 2002
I think that when a Christian puts up a sign that says "United we stand, in God we trust," they are referring to their own (ie, Christian) God.
Who else would it mean to them?
That's exactly my point. The first part of the saying: "United we stand" implies that all Americans stand united. However, the second part: "In God we trust," excludes non-believers from standing united. I believe that you can be proud of your country and stand united with your fellow citizens without believing in a Christian God (or any God, for that matter). That's part of the whole "separation of church and state" thing that our country's founders thought was so important. If we did live in the United Dictatorships of America, with a ruler who supposedly was ordained by God to rule our country, then I guess we would have to believe in God to love our country. However, since our leaders are voted for by the people (or the electoral college, as the case may be), there is no connection between being a Christian and being patriotic. Having a bumper sticker that says "United we stand, in God we trust," has the exact opposite effect than it is supposed to have. Rather than uniting the diverse population of the U. S., it polarizes the population into believers in a Christian God and "Godless heathens". Remember, you're either with us or against us -- good or evil. So if you don't believe in God YOU are the enemy.
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Pity the country that needs a hero. -- Van Zan
-- Jeff
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