Rubio Shows Why 'In God We Trust' Must Go

[cleanhippie]

In the national spotlight Thursday night introducing Mitt Romney as the GOP nominee for president, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) showed all of America why the country’s national motto – In God We Trust – must be abandoned. Exhibiting stunning insensitivity to the millions of Americans who do not profess a belief in any deities, Rubio declared: “Our national motto is In God we Trust, reminding us that faith in our Creator is the most important American value of all.”

Thus, Rubio was brazenly shouting out what many proponents of the religious motto have pubicly denied: the religious wording of the motto validates the idea that only believers are first-class citizens. Nonbelievers, while tolerated by the true believers (sometimes begrudgingly), clearly hold a second-class status.

--snip--

In the fervor of the Republican convention – perhaps thinking he was speaking only to friends and forgetting that the entire nation was watching – Rubio let down his guard. (That is, he spoke honestly about the motto.) He admitted that the motto is understood as a validation of theistic beliefs and a slap in the face to nonbelievers, and he even added that God-belief is what unites Americans as a people. Where do nonbelievers stand in this vision of America?

With such unambiguous anti-secular sentiment in the open, clearly it's time for America to have an honest conversation about it.

Millions of Americans – including over 90 percent of the National Academy of Sciences – do not affirm a belief in divinities. These nonbelievers are contributors to society, as patriotic as anyone else, and they are tired of being pushed to the margins by outlandish statements by men such as Rubio. Ironically, Rubio’s honesty helps demonstrate what America’s seculars have known for a long time: In God We Trust has to go. What was wrong with E Pluribus Unum?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-humanity-naturally/201208/rubio-shows-why-in-god-we-trust-must-go

[russspeakeasy]

1. Does he still put his church tithes on the rnc credit card ?

[ZombieHorde]

2. When I look at money, and see that quote, I always think, "we worship money."

The reasons you list for removing the motto are valid, in my opinion, but I mostly want it removed because of money worship.

[LARED]

3. Shocking display of hyperbole by Rubio is greeted with display of hyperbole by atheist

Last edited Sat Sep 1, 2012, 10:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Shocking. Shocking beyond words.

I disagree with what Rubio said, but don't see this as a declaration that

"the motto validates the idea that only believers are first-class citizens. Nonbelievers, while tolerated by the true believers (sometimes begrudgingly), clearly hold a second-class status."

That's simply hyperbolic nonsense.

Before anyone goes there, I realize you are going to say my thinking is damaged by my so called Christian privilege. More nonsense.

[2ndAmForComputers]

6. LOL

[Goblinmonger]

8. Person A: it needs to go.

Person B: it isn't a big deal so why care.
Person A: it is a big deal because it validates people who think this is not a secular government/country.
Person B: That's nonsense. Nobody really thinks that.
**Someone high profile comes along and confirms that it validates the argument.**
Person B: It's still just nonsense. Don't get all excited because someone at the main Republican convention says it and gets huge cheers.

What the hell is it going to take to convince you that it's a shitty thing to use as a motto and is just another creep toward theocracy. Theocracy isn't going to just jump into our government like a meteor landing in the ocean. It's going to creep in until it's too late to turn back.

[cleanhippie]

11. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Nothing will ever convince him, ever. He believes, period.

Zealot is a word that seems applicable.

[LARED]

15. Again with the irony?

Last edited Sun Sep 2, 2012, 07:24 PM - Edit history (1)

If you had a shred of evidence the USA is slipping towards a Theocracy you would have posted it. Best I can tell it's a paranoid fantasy some atheists engage in. Paranoia and zealotry seem to often be close cousins, something you might consider.

If anything the last 200+ years of American history tell us the people are far more secular and far less trusting of mixing government and religion.

What's even odder is the belief that taking "in God we trust" off of coinage would slow down the slippery slope towards an American theocracy (if it was evenly remotely happening)

[LARED]

19. To continue the conversation

Person B: Rubio was throwing some "red meat" to the crowd, just like all politicians do at conventions. As I said it was over the top and I don't agree with him. History shows that America is more secular than ever. By any measure.

Person A: But you don't get it. America could slowly slip into a theocracy regardless of cultural and social trends. Regardless that virtually no one advocates the government become a theocracy. Regardless that the Constitution implicitly defines the government as secular in nature. Still it is happening right before our eyes. Wake up. Wake up before all those Fundie Christians covertly take over Washington slowly but surely. In fact one of the best ways to stop the madness is to insist and stomp our feet to get that cursed motto "in God we trust" off of our money NOW.

Person B: Oh have a nice day.

[dimbear]

4. If in fact the US trusts in God, why does it spend as much on its military as the next 17

nations combined?

[Leontius]

5. The best prayer that I have ever heard of by a military leader was

by one of Fredrick the Greats' marshals it went something like this, Lord help us in this battle but if you can't see your way to help us at least don't help those people over there.

[dimbear]

7. I had to look it up, but the unofficial motto of Switzerland is

One for all and all for one. Like the musketeers.

Doesn't offend anybody.

[LTX]

9. What's ironic is

that this is from the party that has expended so much effort battling the the "threat" of sharia law. The most important American value is faith in the equal application of deliberately non-sectarian law.

[lynn-a]

10. Marco had a great speech

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that "just over half of scientists (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power; specifically, 33% of scientists say they believe in God, while 18% believe in a universal spirit or higher power." 48% say they have a religious affiliation, equal to the number who say they are not affiliated with any religious tradition. The survey also found younger scientists to be "substantially more likely than their older counterparts to say they believe in God". Among the surveyed fields, chemists were the most likely to say they believe in God.

Even the astronauts are believers: "To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible"
– Astronaut John Glenn

Marco's statements were anything but "outlandish." You should have a little faith.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. welcome to DU. in case you are interested - here are the results:

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

Very first post and is advocating for Marco Rubio. Another troll infestation.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Sep 2, 2012, 09:39 AM, and the Jury voted 2-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: The post may be inaccurate (or it may not) and it may be irrelevant because it's an appeal to authority which is not logically sound, but I don't think it's abusive or disruptive.
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT and said: The post is advocating for Rubio, it is inappropriate and meets the criteria for hiding it.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: nope. sorry. this is in religion. if they advocate Marco's policies in GD - then you will have a point.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Just an opinion. Saying he gave a good speech isn't necessarily advocating for him.

[Panasonic]

13. The jury's wrong this time.

Time for this moron to go.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. whatever. I have this group on Ignore and only got here by way of jury duty -

Now I remember why. toodles.

[Panasonic]

16. Fascinating.

How do you ignore a group? I hate RKBA and gun-nuts. I don't even like to read their posts.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. let your hatred lead the way and you will find it easily. please do NOT PM me again.

[Panasonic]

18. Okay.

My apologies.