This is a cross-post from my personal blog; I’m copying it here for Erich, so he can argue with me. I’m bored at work; I think an argument would help.
An atheist organization has filed suit [1] over Obama’s plan to be sworn in on a Bible, for God to be mentioned in the ceremony and so forth.
I’m having a hard time with this, but not because I am one who believes we are “one nation under God.” I am all for the separation of church and state. I am not a Christian. I am a spiritual believer in God, but I cannot subscribe to organized religion. I believe in a vast unknown. My daughter has declared herself an atheist on her facebook page, even though most of the time she labels herself agnostic. She’s 13, so trying on different labels to see how they fit. We believe in doing good for its own sake, to improve the world and to share positive energy. I believe we don’t know a fraction of what is out there. I believe none of us has a closer or more direct connection to God than anyone else, and mostly that religion, rather than honor God, often gets in the way of humanity’s ability to behave.
My favorite bumper sticker is “Born right the first time,” and nothing will raise my hackles faster than someone telling me they have the inside track to God and if I don’t get on it, I’m doomed to burn. Uh-huh.
So it’s not like I’m against the atheists. Just so that’s clear.
As a nation, we have promised to respect everyone’s right to their own religion, yes? Someday, we might even practice what we preach. And Barack Obama has made it clear, repeatedly, that he considers himself a Christian. I’m as big a supporter of the man as they come, but I admit to being more than a little disappointed in his choosing Rick Warren ::::::cue gagging, wretching noises:::::: to speak. I am trying to be open-minded, though. If only Warren would be.
So again, I could easily jump on the atheists’ bandwagon. Here’s the thing, though. That whole respecting everyone’s right to practice his or her own religion comes into play here. This is HIS swearing-in ceremony. One can argue, and I’m sure they will, that anything about the presidency belongs to The People. Perhaps that’s true, but we chose one particular man for this role, and in so choosing, did we not agree that we want HIM as president, to lead us HIS way? I think we did.
He is Christian. So his ceremony should be welcomed, in my way of thinking, to include aspects of his own faith. Were he Jewish, I would expect him to be sworn in on a Torah; Muslim, a Quran. Whatever book means the most to him, so that when he swears on it, he will mean it.
Since the ceremony is about one specific man, I have no problem with that man’s religion being included. I don’t see that as the same thing as prayers in school, or creches in city halls. Those have no place.
I get the atheists’ point, but I truly believe that instead of creating a more open society through their efforts, all they are going to accomplish is to reinforce the image of atheists as godless meanies. Big, blue meanies, trying to rain on this phenomenal inaugural parade.
Lots of work is needed to remove religion from government, so I applaud their willingness to throw themselves into the fray. My only advice would be to pick a different day.
[2]