Justice for Atheists

People of color and the LGBTQ movements have had their days in the Sun. I support equality. Good for them.

Sadly, the rights of Atheists haven't advanced much since the 1963 prayer cases. Every day, we face the indignity of Christian privilege with the U.S. motto of "In God We Trust," "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, oaths with "So help me God" and politicians with "God bless America." I regularly take a black marker and cross "In God We Trust -- which I don't" -- off the currency in my wallet. 

I encourage all Americans who believe in religious freedom as espoused by Presidents Jefferson and Madison to do the same. Congress should repeal the invidious motto and IGWT on currency laws -- for starters.

And then there are Christian crosses and Ten Commandment monuments on public property. Ug. FYI, contrary to statements that the Ten Commandments are displayed on public property in Washington, D.C., there is no English version of the Ten Commandments displayed there, including the courtroom of the Supreme Court. In fact, the Hebrew translation Moses's tablet into English actually commandments people to kill, steal and commit adultery. Fascinating.

The Answer to Christian Preference is "Blowin' In The Wind"

This afternoon I was listening to Bob Dylan's 1962 song Blowin' In The Wind. One part of the lyrics hit a particular chord for me:

   How many years can some people exist
   Before they're allowed to be free?

   Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
   And pretend that he just doesn't see.
   The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
   The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Dylan thought the answer to our peace, war and freedom problems were simple, yet hard to grasp -- like a piece of paper blowing in the wind.

Similarly, the answer to discrimination against LGBTs and Atheists in America is quite simple -- end discrimination.  After all, equality is a core American value.

Unfortunately, the realization of equality is incredibly elusive; it is blowing in the wind. People talk equality, but many have a psychological need to feel superior to others and manifest this thru discrimination and domination.

On a positive note, 2014 was a banner year for progress in support of gay marriage with 37 states and the District of Columbia now issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

Atheists continue to suffer the indignity of Christian preference throughout the nation -- from "In god We Trust" on our coins and currency to oaths with "so help me god" to the Pledge of Allegiance with "under god" -- all not withstanding the First and Fourteenth Amendments prohibiting preference of one religion over another, or religion over nonbelief.

53 years after Dylan's Blowin' In The Wind, heads are still turned and the answer to discrimination blowin' in the wind.

Pres. Obama is ignorant -- we are a not Nation under god

In his Thanksgiving proclamation (full text) President Obama said in part:

This Thanksgiving Day, let us ... lift each other up and recognize, in the oldest spirit of this tradition, that we rise or fall as one Nation, under God.

 
President Obama is an ignoramus. You would have thought that the former con law professor was familiar with the Preamble, no religious test clause and the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution. These provisions of the Constitution clearly establish the that United States is a nation under "the People" (ourselves), not some mythical god or gods.

Mike Newdow and I lost Newdow v. Roberts (a lawsuit challenging the religious practices of the 2009 presidential inaugural ceremony) by an unjust judiciary which of late denies that Atheists are harmed by flagrant violations of the Establishment Clause -- by government sponsored religion. Justice is blind, very blind. And President Obama is an enabler.

Religious freedom is not to be had from our three branches of government that bow at the feet of Christian dominionists. This WE are not thankful for.