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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAtheists might not be able to graduate high school?
Last edited Mon Jan 28, 2013, 12:21 AM - Edit history (1)
This is why it's important to vote. Arizona Republicans are planning to make kids take a military-style oath. If you refuse to say the last words, "So help me God," You will not be allowed to graduate high school.
[link:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/01/25/arizona-republicans-propose-bill-that-would-not-allow-atheists-to-graduate-high-school/|
This is why it pays to be in a blue state.
If you got a problem with me being an atheist, too fucking bad.
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)And thank you Satan. That'll shut them up. Although I am partial to Lucifer. Satan seems to scare the funDies more.
unblock
(52,206 posts)Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)Which ever one makes funDies heads spin the most.
sarisataka
(18,632 posts)I do miss the old names. - Satan
Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)Nay
(12,051 posts)struggle4progress
(118,282 posts)Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)I love to ridicule atheists (because one tiny poke gets them going all day), but that is just dumb.
Moonwalk
(2,322 posts)...women, blacks, and other minorities? I have to wonder why you enjoy poking at people who have to fight really hard to get their rights respected. I can only conclude that you've never been a science teacher fighting the school board over teaching creationism, that you are not a gay person who had their right to marry taken away by Prop. 8 which was passed by religious groups, and that you are not a woman threatened by religious groups wanting to take away your right to contraceptives or abortion.
Oh, and thank you for outing yourself. I'll make sure, after this, to put you on ignore. I hope the rest of the atheists here do the same. There is never any reason to waste time on a troll.
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)Exactly zero of your rights are infringed upon by those who choose to exercise religious freedom.
Nice try, however, and indeed thank you for proving my point.
bunnies
(15,859 posts)There have been many studies which have suggested that a certain part of the brain is responsible for ones "religious" beliefs. Ever heard of the "God Helmet"?
Myself, I have never believed in god. It was not a decision.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Minority status exists because one is in the minority. People that follow the Jewish faith are in the minority yet they can choose to be atheists or Christians. What you are saying, IMO, is that you can be intolerant of atheists because they "choose" to be in the minority. That's an intolerant rationalization. In fact it's the same rationalization that homophobes use.
"Exactly zero of your rights are infringed upon by those who choose to exercise religious freedom." Seriously? Did you even read the OP? You dont think rights are being violated when people are forced to pay homage to a deity they don't believe in?
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)Religion is a choice, so why not? they are even better than Atheists, or is it just too easy?
EvilAL
(1,437 posts)we are all born atheists.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Those stupid Jews should have just chosen another religion to avoid the Nazis, right?
Repressed groups are repressed groups. Doesn't matter if the members of that group chose to join it or are born into it.
A Simple Game
(9,214 posts)Religion is a choice, not atheism. We are all born atheists.
I choose to be Agnostic.
Heywood J
(2,515 posts)RKP5637
(67,107 posts)dlwickham
(3,316 posts)what's good for the goose blah blah blah
Logical
(22,457 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Mariana
(14,856 posts)temporary311
(955 posts)Jehovah's Witnesses as well?
dimbear
(6,271 posts)It's as if the Republicans are just begging to be hated.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)attending public schools. Both permanent resident aliens and green card holders have children in those schools. This is an awful idea, and won't survive a court challenge.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)tblue37
(65,340 posts)they are bound to lose, even as the schools don't have enough money to cover adequate teacher pay; nurses and counselors;books, material, and equipment; cleaning services and grounds maintenance, etc.
Flashmann
(2,140 posts)Which gives them cover to call for deeper cuts,that they can then blame others for.....
kimtjj195_tx
(23 posts)I really do hope this plan backfires on their asses. Religion, ugh.
RKP5637
(67,107 posts)unblock
(52,206 posts)as a requirement for graduation from high school.
for servicing in the government or the military, entities that derive their power and authority from the constitution, sure.
but for high school graduation???
of course it would have zero beneficial effect. it would convince absolutely no one to be any more loyal to the constitution, nor would it convince anyone to believe in god. it's 100% ineffective at whatever it's nominally attempting to accomplish.
what if someone fully supports and defends the PEOPLE of america but believes that the constitution should be scrapped in favor of a different form of government that would work better for the PEOPLE of america? is that so disloyal to the PEOPLE of america that, of all things, they should be denied a high school diploma???
hardly. this is just yet another stupid, self-serving republican serving up a big ol' plate of nationalist jingoism to advance their own selfish political interests.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)There is even a standard Arlington tombstone engraving. It's a molecule or something I think.
The military academies are turning into Jesus camps though, so I hear.
unblock
(52,206 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)The entire point of the Constitution is to create a government that supports the people.
The government should be swearing an oath to us, not us swearing an oath to the government.
unblock
(52,206 posts)Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)If you don't like tradition in public ceremonies you should really just keep it to yourself.
We had a major flamewar here only a couple of days ago about religion in public ceremonies and now here some atheist is agitating the damn guano again.
Haven't you people learned your place yet?
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)Silent3
(15,210 posts)...as long as it's a God. Isn't that inclusive enough? Let's all sing kumbaya!
RKP5637
(67,107 posts)AzDar
(14,023 posts)I look forward to suing the fuck out of these crazy, god-bothering morons.
I hope it passes, I really do.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)handmade34
(22,756 posts)AN ACT
AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 15-701.03; RELATING TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-701.03, to read:
15-701.03. Graduation requirement; constitutional oath
BEGINNING IN THE 2013‑2014 SCHOOL YEAR, IN ADDITION TO FULFILLING THE COURSE OF STUDY AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED IN THIS CHAPTER, BEFORE A PUPIL IS ALLOWED TO GRADUATE FROM A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS STATE, THE PRINCIPAL OR HEAD TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL SHALL VERIFY IN WRITING THAT THE PUPIL HAS RECITED THE FOLLOWING OATH:
I, _________, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THESE DUTIES; SO HELP ME GOD.
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)if they wanted to refuse, just so we could sue the ever-loving shit out of the state! If they declined (and I would never attempt to coerce either of them), I would find another way to bring that idiocy before a judge. I'm pretty sure God would forgive me.
No one should ever be required by the power of the state to acknowledge a religious deity in which they do not believe.
FourScore
(9,704 posts)RKP5637
(67,107 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,422 posts)This whole nonsense is simply dog whistles for the wacko right-wing fringe and is dead on arrival.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)RKP5637
(67,107 posts)fly over them, but that's it ... no way am I ever going to enter, they are just too weird and frankly dangerous places to be.
Cha
(297,184 posts)as stupid demagogues that ends up backfiring on them like a mofo.
Initech
(100,068 posts)RKP5637
(67,107 posts)obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)Warpy
(111,254 posts)and wouldn't get this far even in most of Dixie.
If Arizona passes it, it will stand only as long as the first atheist kid is denied a high school diploma.
Brigid
(17,621 posts)Cannot be denied that diploma. It's that simple. This won't survive a Constitutional challenge--if it passes to begin with.
Mariana
(14,856 posts)That is what this proposition intends to do.
BainsBane
(53,032 posts)It won't stand legal challenge.
But WTF is with Arizona anyway?
cordelia
(2,174 posts)This will never stand. Just can't.
JoeyT
(6,785 posts)but I feel horrible for the family and kid that challenge it. They're going to be getting an unbelievable amount of death threats, and probably stuff a little beyond. (Bricks through windows, smashed up cars, etc). Just like always happens.
RKP5637
(67,107 posts)Anyone tells me they're religious I don't trust them one bit. Some of my worst business transactions have been with the supposedly religious. I don't trust them one bit, not at all.
teach1st
(5,935 posts)In order to protect our constitution, we have to destroy it.
samsingh
(17,595 posts)JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)Not if they can't spell atheist.
Silent3
(15,210 posts)Indyfan53
(473 posts)Thanks for catching that.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)Thoughts of Chairman Mao, anyone?
RKP5637
(67,107 posts)guppies.
NYC Liberal
(20,135 posts)What are they going to do? Once I'm done saying their little oath I can say whatever I want to.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)I guess it's some sort of symbolic thing.
Riftaxe
(2,693 posts)is utter nonsense.
I cannot imagine a rational electorate allowing it to be permitted, or let their Representatives even finish their terms.
For the brief term such a law were in existence if it were to come to pass, graduates can console themselves that the degree is just a certificate of attendance anyways.