# Ok atheists, settle the fuck down. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 15, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366 "2009-01-15T02:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/1 "2009-01-15T02:10:48Z")
I’m an atheist. But really, now that uber-atheist Michael Newdow wants the phrase “so help me God” removed from the inaugural oath, I feel that this is taking it to an extreme. From MSNBC ([Atheists want God stricken from inaugural oath](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28663712/)), Newdow went so far as to sue Chief Justice John Roberts in federal court for an injunction barring the use of those words. Even as an atheist, I never had a problem with “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, nor did I have a problem with “In God We Trust” printed on our currency. Perhaps I’m just not as stringent as other atheists. This case reminds me a little of PETA. I’m against cruelty to animals, as any reasonable person should be, but I’m still going to enjoy a steak. And there’s no way in hell that I’m going to refer to fish as “sea kittens.” Newdow and his followers are taking a perfectly acceptable set of beliefs and taking it to a preposterous extreme. IMO, he’s completely overreacting and going to great lengths to give other atheists a bad name. We’re not all as radical is that nut. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/2 "2009-01-15T02:15:27Z")
I disagree. Newdow is being unrealistic in his expectations, but it’s reasonable to want the Chief Justice not to endorse religion when performing in his official capacity. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/3 "2009-01-15T02:15:32Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > Even as an atheist, I never had a problem with “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, nor did I have a problem with “In God We Trust” printed on our currency. Perhaps I’m just not as stringent as other atheists. I actually _do_ have a problem with “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” as the national motto. However, we can’t take “So help me God” out of the President’s oath of office, because it isn’t _in_ the oath of office; and I think that Presidents should pretty be much free to add personally meaningful things at the end of the oath if they choose. We’ve [also been discussing this in Great Debates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501603). ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/4 "2009-01-15T02:16:09Z")
It’s about time someone like Newdow made a stink. We’ve waited far too long. We’ve not been extreme enough. Remember when blacks just shuffled along and tried to stay out of trouble? Look what it got them for 100 years. Sometimes being militant is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/5 "2009-01-15T02:16:25Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > I actually _do_ have a problem with “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” as the national motto. However, we can’t take “So help me God” out of the President’s oath of office, because it isn’t _in_ the oath of office; and I think that Presidents should pretty be much free to add personally meaningful things at the end of the oath if they choose. > > . Pretty much ditto. And I’m a fairly strong atheist. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/6 "2009-01-15T02:18:46Z")
Agreed, as long as the phrase is not part of the oath of office, the president encumbent should be allowed to say whatever he wants afterwards. I’m still holding out for a “Rahmen”, but whatever. I also do not like the motto of “in god we trust”. Really, we do? Do we also trust in leprechauns? Because I think our money might be worth more if that were to be the case. It would be backed by a myriad pots of gold! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/7 "2009-01-15T02:20:40Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Because I think our money might be worth more if that were to be the case. It would be backed by a myriad pots of gold! 🙂 Nah - too much magic gold and you get runaway inflation. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/8 "2009-01-15T02:21:10Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > It’s about time someone like Newdow made a stink. We’ve waited far too long. We’ve not been extreme enough. > > Remember when blacks just shuffled along and tried to stay out of trouble? Look what it got them for 100 years. Sometimes being militant is necessary. Get on the bus! Oh if only there were an atheist Rosa Parks somewhere to help atheists overcome their historic oppression. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/9 "2009-01-15T02:21:31Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > I also do not like the motto of “in god we trust”. Really, we do? Do we also trust in leprechauns? Because I think our money might be worth more if that were to be the case. It would be backed by a myriad pots of gold! 🙂 On the one hand, trusting in leprechauns is never a good idea. They’re shifty little bastards. On the other hand, I’ve never heard of a leprechaun commanding a human to kill his son to prove his love. I agree with **MEBuckner** and **Anaamika**. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/10 "2009-01-15T02:21:56Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Remember when blacks just shuffled along and tried to stay out of trouble? Look what it got them for 100 years. Sometimes being militant is necessary. Only we’re allowed to vote, and pee in any public restroom we like, and marry people who _do_ believe in god… ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/11 "2009-01-15T02:23:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > On the one hand, trusting in leprechauns is never a good idea. They’re shifty little bastards. On the other hand, I’ve never heard of a leprechaun commanding a human to kill his son to prove his love. But he didn’t make him go through with it! That should count for something right? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/12 "2009-01-15T02:27:23Z")
Yeah, instead of being a monster, he’s just a sick megalomaniac. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/13 "2009-01-15T02:28:11Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Yeah, instead of being a monster, he’s just a sick megalomaniac. Hey, you gotta know who you can trust. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/14 "2009-01-15T02:39:02Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > … I’m still holding out for a “Rahmen”… “Ramen” (or variant spelling “Rahmen”) is clearly the proper response after a Pastafarian prayer. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/15 "2009-01-15T02:58:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Only we’re allowed to vote, and pee in any public restroom we like, and marry people who _do_ believe in god… It’d almost be better if there were some outright oppression. Instead, we have institutional oppression, where athiests are more likely to be overlooked for a job, less trusted by people, etc etc (if you believe the studies that say so) that can all be denied if it comes to brass tacks. There’s no Rosa Parks, and no direct impetus for change. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/16 "2009-01-15T03:06:36Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > It’d almost be better if there were some outright oppression. Instead, we have institutional oppression, where athiests are more likely to be overlooked for a job, less trusted by people, etc etc (if you believe the studies that say so) that can all be denied if it comes to brass tacks. There’s no Rosa Parks, and no direct impetus for change. Now I’m picturing an old black lady being refused access to The Magical Bus To Heaven. As a weak atheist (deist, technically) I don’t really give a shit about the ceremonial stuff, and as long as reason (ever so slowly) continues to assert itself, I hold faith (ha!) that everything will be alright in the end. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/17 "2009-01-15T03:15:57Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > It’d almost be better if there were some outright oppression. Instead, we have institutional oppression, where athiests are more likely to be overlooked for a job, less trusted by people, etc etc (if you believe the studies that say so) that can all be denied if it comes to brass tacks. There’s no Rosa Parks, and no direct impetus for change. When was the last time someone in a job interview asked you your religious beliefs? This has honestly never come up for me. Also, in the circles I run in admitting you are a Christian is more likely to get you looked down on than being an atheist. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/18 "2009-01-15T03:26:29Z")
I’m wondering how long it’s going to be until atheism is held by some crackpot court to be a requirement for public office on separation grounds. After all, how can you separate religion from government if government is run by people who are religious? I imagine our forefathers’ spinning has reduced their coffins to splinters by now. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/19 "2009-01-15T03:28:09Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > Instead, we have institutional oppression, where athiests are more likely to be overlooked for a job, less trusted by people, etc etc (if you believe the studies that say so) that can all be denied if it comes to brass tacks. Maybe, but all that’s societal and not govermental, and and taking “In God We Trust” off the money won’t change it. All it does is piss people off, and it doesn’t make atheists’ lives any better. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366/20 "2009-01-15T03:29:59Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > When was the last time someone in a job interview asked you your religious beliefs? This has honestly never come up for me. Also, in the circles I run in admitting you are a Christian is more likely to get you looked down on than being an atheist. You have to be a Christian to work at the Holy Land Experience. Not that I wanted to, or anything. I just thought they were practically begging for a lawsuit. Actually, since they’re owned by a ministry and have never turned a profit, they’re exempt from legislation forbidding discrimination on the grounds of religion. > [@](#): > > I’m wondering how long it’s going to be until atheism is held by some crackpot court to be a requirement for public office on separation grounds. After all, how can you separate religion from government if government is run by people who are religious? > > I imagine our forefathers’ spinning has reduced their coffins to splinters by now. That’s a pretty good point. I’ll make sure the leaders of The Great Liberal Conspiracy get a memo out to the judges on our payroll right quick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-atheists-settle-the-fuck-down/481366.md?page=2)