# The Biblical reference to America's new 'Moab' Bomb is chilling. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879 "2003-03-12T17:44:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [March 14, 2003, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/61 "2003-03-14T08:41:14Z")
“Freedom from religion” is just how some atheists choose to express their demand for equal freedom of conscience–the right to not have religion forced on them, that “freedom _of_ religion” doesn’t mean “the right for everyone to worship Jesus each in his or her own way”, and that the state should be “free of religion”–religiously neutral–and that separation of church and state doesn’t mean “the Christian state won’t favor any particular Christian church over the others”. It’s not a formal legal term. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/62 "2003-03-14T12:49:55Z")
Well, and, if somebody hears “Moab”, they’re more likely to think of the town in Utah known for its mountain biking and whitewater rafting. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/63 "2003-03-14T14:02:12Z")
Can’t we just talk about big bombs for once without invoking the Constitution? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/64 "2003-03-14T17:27:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rhum Runner \* > \*\*Can’t we just talk about big bombs for once without invoking the Constitution? \*\* I suppose you’ve something against the constitutional right to get bombed? Seriously, when the Christian based administration of a mandatorily polytheistic nation trots out massive weapons with Biblical names designed specifically for war against a Muslim country, I have, shall, will and always must call that more than a little stupid. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/65 "2003-03-14T17:31:12Z")
> [@](#): > > You do not have the right to stifle religious expression **(no matter whose)** based on your personal dislike of it. Well, this is where it gets sticky: You can say that GWB and the Joint Chiefs et al are just expressing their own religious views when they name a bomb MOAB (I think this is a poor example … but since it’s the topic of discussion, let’s carry on), but they’re also acting in their official capacity as leaders of the Federal Government–and the Federal Government is expressly forbidden from showing preference to any particular religion (since such a preference could threaten the free expression of OTHER religious beliefs). So, GWB going to church on Sunday and telling reporters that his faith in Jesus has sustained him through tough times is A-OK. GWB, in his official capacity as President of the USA, asking people nationwide to pray to Jesus Christ for guidance and protection in these trying times is thornier. I imagine the Jews in the audience would be a bit uncomfortable, to say nothing of the Hindus, Buddhists, Native Americans, Witches, Muslims … oh, and Atheists. ---
**Author:** ![Eclectic\_Skeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@Eclectic\_Skeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclectic_Skeptic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879/66 "2003-03-14T20:19:17Z")
WWJB? Who would Jesus bomb? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biblical-reference-to-americas-new-moab-bomb-is-chilling/160879.md?page=3)