# Like Father, Like Son—Bush on Atheism **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249 "2002-06-27T15:56:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/61 "2002-06-28T21:00:31Z")
Don’t look at me, I’m having _Toejam and Earl_ flashbacks. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/62 "2002-06-28T21:01:39Z")
not to change the subject or anything, but is this the same god and religion whose divine spokesmen have yet to make an acceptable statement about child abuse/molestation? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/63 "2002-06-28T21:54:19Z")
No. Those are Catholics. The divine spokesmen are Baptists. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/64 "2002-07-01T18:03:16Z")
gobear–remember this? Clinton threatens to drop Da Bomb on Iraq [http://www.theonion.com/onion3307/clintondropsdabomb.html](http://www.theonion.com/onion3307/clintondropsdabomb.html) ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/65 "2002-07-01T21:36:42Z")
Well, things could be worse, the US constitution could read like the Texas Constitution. The Texas Constitution Article 1 - BILL OF RIGHTS Section 4 - RELIGIOUS TESTS No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, **provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.** (bolding mine of course) This looks like a complete contradiction to me, but what do I know? It does look like I am not qualified to hold a public office in my own state though. I have held the urge for a while now to find some minor public office to run for and (hopefully) win. Then reveal my lack of religious affiliations and force the matter to court. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/66 "2002-07-01T21:50:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scotth \* > \*\ ***provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.** > > \ > > I have held the urge for a while now to find some minor public office to run for and (hopefully) win. Then reveal my lack of religious affiliations and force the matter to court. \*\* Well, I know this is contrary to your plan, but couldn’t you just hold up a picture of George W. Bush, and say that given the existence of a Lesser Being, the existence of a Supreme Being is assumed? ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/67 "2002-07-01T22:06:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Munch \* > \*\* > Well, I know this is contrary to your plan, but couldn’t you just hold up a picture of George W. Bush, and say that given the existence of a Lesser Being, the existence of a Supreme Being is assumed? \*\* I would only go so far as to say a “superior” being is assumed, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/68 "2002-07-01T23:00:10Z")
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States of America, one nation, under my Divine Left Testicle, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Don’t believe in the divinity of my left testicle? Tough shit, I’m a-saying it, and I think it ought to be state sponsored, because that’s what _I_ believe in. I would be highly offended if it were taken out. It’s what I believe in. I don’t care what you believe in. Praise be to my Divine Left Testicle. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/69 "2002-07-01T23:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Praise be to my Divine Left Testicle. Yeah, it’s pretty nice, for a testicle. ---
**Author:** ![HairyPotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@HairyPotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HairyPotter)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/70 "2002-07-02T08:18:03Z")
It frightens me that Bush Prez has a fabulous approval rating. Never mind that human rights are an annoyance that must be eliminated, fundamental Christian dogma must be integrated into government policy, and the leader of the free world is a retard. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/71 "2002-07-02T14:43:03Z")
How does removing “under God” hurt God or faith in any way? I mean, if you believe our nation is “under God,” then it is–you don’t need to say “under God” in order to believe it is so, do you? If you don’t believe that our nation is “under God”, then it is pretty difficult to pledge that it is so, even if you would normally pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands. My problem with this whole arguement is that many of the people who are so bent on keeping those two words because it’s “ceremonial” or “traditional”, and “Why can’t the atheists just ignore them?” This implies that the words have no meaning–they’re just something we say to prove we’re not Communist. :rolleyes: Words that have no meaning in a _pledge_ should not be there. I think the problem is that many atheists take belief in God more seriously than many people who claim to believe. Of course, since most of us are not raised in atheist homes, most atheists have actually had to take the time to think about what they do and do not believe. Or is it just that you have to say “God” a whole bunch of times in order to make him real? I think the Pledge is silly anyway. What does it accomplish? Adults don’t say it–it’s merely something mumbled by sleepy schoolchildren (who don’t even understand what all the words are, much less what they mean). The whole thing is fairly meaningless, so perhaps including a meaningless “under God” makes sense, in a way. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/72 "2002-07-02T21:29:33Z")
“This implies that the words have no meaning” Thankyouthankyouthankyou. How are some people, in the same breath, screeching about any kind of change to this beautiful, fundamental pledge, then chuckling and telling Atheists just not to say it, it’s not important? And, technically, shouldn’t it be “One Nation, under Canada”? ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2002, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/73 "2002-07-02T23:10:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cat Fight \* > > And, technically, shouldn’t it be “One Nation, under Canada”? \*\* It would improve your Geography scores, at least. Of course then you’d upset the Alaskans, so it has to be “under and to the left of”. But now you’re alienating Republicans… ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/74 "2002-07-03T07:41:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*KANANASKIS, Alberta (AP) - President Bush on Thursday called a federal appeals court ruling that challenged the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance “out of step with the traditions and history of America” and promised to appoint judges who affirm God’s role in the public square. “America is a nation … that values our relationship with an Almighty,” Bush told reporters as he began a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit of world industrial powers. “The declaration of God in the Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t violate rights. As a matter of fact, it’s a confirmation of the fact that we received our rights from God, as proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence.” The president said the country needs “commonsense judges who understand that our rights were derived from God.” Those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench," he said. \*\* When he was running for office I told everyone this shit was going to happen. They all thought I was nuts. **I TOLD YOU SO!** Neaaaaw! Bush sometimes scares me more then the people we are at “war” with. It’s the same stupid religious fundamental bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/75 "2002-07-03T12:32:39Z")
And now Bush is using all this pro God-in-gov’t sentiment to push gov’t funding of faith-based charities again. [http://apnews.excite.com/article/20020702/D7KGVF0O0.html](http://apnews.excite.com/article/20020702/D7KGVF0O0.html) Why doesn’t he just come out say that he thinks the country should abandon the Constitution and become a theocracy? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/76 "2002-07-03T20:35:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > Why doesn’t he just come out say that he thinks the country should abandon the Constitution and become a theocracy? Because that’d tip his hand to all the non-Protestant faiths out there. At least with the Pledge mess and the faith-based charities nonsense, he can get the Catholics and Jews and Muslems on his side. ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/77 "2002-07-03T21:06:54Z")
I wonder if Bush would give me funding to write a Satanic Bible, open the Satanic School for Orphans and the Satanic Soup Kitchen. After all “The federal government should not ask, 'Does your organization believe in God?” Bush said. “They ought to ask, does your program work? Are you saving lives? Are you making a difference?” ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/78 "2002-07-03T23:25:27Z")
I wonder how much more of this crap we’ll have to put up with before the moderate Republicans admit that we Bush detractors were right all along and they decide to quit defending his arrogant and destructive administration. Clearly, it’s going to take a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/79 "2002-07-03T23:58:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dieter \* > \*\*I wonder if Bush would give me funding to write a Satanic Bible, open the Satanic School for Orphans and the Satanic Soup Kitchen. > > After all “The federal government should not ask, 'Does your organization believe in God?” Bush said. “They ought to ask, does your program work? Are you saving lives? Are you making a difference?” \*\* Can’t you just the $cientologists slavering over this? It’s going to very interesting when they apply for all that sweet government booty. Maybe that will be enough to finally show the general public what a bad idea this is, once they find their tax money going Xenu and his crew using e-meters to “clear” the clams. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249/80 "2002-07-04T02:07:04Z")
An H.L. Mencken paraphrase may be appropriate in these time when hypocrisy on the part of our political leadership is so wide spread: NOBODY EVER WENT BROKE UNDERESTIMATING THE IGNORANCE OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE (or words to that effect). Look, friends, it is just pandering to the faithful. It is preaching to the choir. It does W. No good to do the courageous and principled thing. If he did he would just piss off his core supporters and his opponents would never believe him. Let the poor man alone. Concentrate on election U.S. Senators who will stand up on their hind feet and vote against the appointment of a Justice Scalia clone to replace Renquist, C.J., when he retires. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-father-like-son-bush-on-atheism/116249.md?page=3)