"The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion."

[cynatnite]

A billboard in Idaho declaring "Beware of dogma" is the latest example of humanist activists using advertising to promote atheism.

Several atheist groups in Idaho, including Humanists of Idaho, recently erected the billboard ad near Fairview Avenue and Maple Grove Road in Boise.

The ad was sponsored by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which launched a national billboard campaign in late 2007, taking its religion-free messages state-by-state.

The humanists contend dogma is to blame for laws against gay marriage and hope their sign will help keep religion out of politics, according to a FOX News affiliate in Boise.

Bryan Fischer, executive director of Idaho Values Alliance, responded to the billboard in a statement last week, saying, "The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion."

http://christianpost.com/Society/General/2009/03/atheist-billboard-hits-idaho-10/

[Kievan Rus]

1. I'm currently reading this book

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Religious-Right-Wrong-Separation/dp/0879758341

It's a thorough refutation of all the Religious Right nonsense about the Constitution and church/state issues. The book is somewhat dated, but it's still a great source.

[Bjorn Against]

2. So let's declare America a Pagan nation and see if the religious right still believes what they spew

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. Aren't Pagans religious?

I mean, it's just another organized religion.

We're fine just as we are, as our Founding Fathers wanted us to be - secular, unburdened by anyone's religious beliefs, free to choose what we want to believe.

[Atman]

12. I agree. The trouble is, once there are enough of you to give you a name...

...you're a group. If Paganism is a religion, why isn't Atheism? It's a group of people whose bond is a shared belief system. Sounds like religion to me.

.

[Bjorn Against]

13. Yes they are religious and I agree with you...

I am not Pagan and I am not actually endorsing the idea of turning our nation into a Pagan nation, I am simply pointing out that the religious right would not be too happy to see church and state intertwined if it were intertwined with a religion they did not believe in.

I am actually both a card carrying member and a volunteer organizer for the ACLU so I am a very strong believer in the Separation of Church and State, I don't want religion to have any direct influence on the way our government is run. I have found that most people agree with this position as soon as it is suggested that a religion other than there own should have the power, those who don't want a separation of church and state want to make sure that when religion controls government it is their religion in control. As soon as it is suggested that another religion (or even a different denomination of their religion) should be in control then they are not so hot on the idea.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. Again, just like all rightwingnuts,

they can dish it out, but they truly cannot take it.

And I am always appalled when I hear someone say we're a Christian nation. I usually counter that with, "Really? I thought we were a Jewish nation. Or maybe a Sufi nation. Where did you get that idea?"

That's usually the end of that.

[FLAprogressive]

3. disregard

[wuushew]

5. are you saying that suspicion of dogma is in itself is dogma?

I don't buy that.


Main Entry: dog·ma
Pronunciation: \ˈdȯg-mə, ˈdäg-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural dogmas also dog·ma·ta \-mə-tə\
Etymology: Latin dogmat-, dogma, from Greek, from dokein to seem — more at decent
Date: 1638
1 a: something held as an established opinion ; especially : a definite authoritative tenet b: a code of such tenets <pedagogical dogma> c: a point of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds
2: a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church

[FLAprogressive]

9. I'm sorry...I misread the article. I thought that Christian activists were putting that up.

Disregard.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Actualy, the Constitution

was written with religious liberty in mind - freedom to choose your religion, and choosing none is a valid choice. That's the definition of religious liberty. Contrary to what some wish were so, we are not a Christian nation. We are a secular nation, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

After all, our country was founded by people who chose not to worship as they had been ordered.

I think everyone in American schools, public, private, and parochial should be required to take a course in the Constitution, taught by a law school professor - like I once was, like Obama once was. Those of us who love and respect the Constitution make pretty good teachers, and because we are so enthusiastic about our subject, our students learn a lot and learn to love that venerable document as much as we do.

This kind of damnable ignorance is troubling. But, those who see only one way will continue to see only one way until they are shown the light. And, no, that's not a light shining from within a church......................

[MadMaddie]

7. Didn't they used to call that course "Civics"?

It should be in every class room across America.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. I think so,

but I'd like to see the whole course dedicated to the Constitution. A lot of my Civics class, a long time ago, was about it, but we also covered a lot that would now be called "Government."

It was a good course. Set me on the road to the law.

I wonder what they teach now?

[hedgehog]

10. The First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[ThomWV]

11. Please notice that it first protects us from religion - then gives us freed of religion

but thanks to goodness never mandates religion on us.

[Laelth]

15. As usual, the Republican is wrong.

The 1st Amendment certainly does grant us freedom from religion. It's called the anti-establishment clause.

I don't even believe the Republican is an idiot who can't read. He just lies. That's going to be a hard habit for the Republican Party to break.

:dem:

-Laelth