Just seems weird that a nation some of whose roots wrt to constitution came from Jefferson’s time as ambassador to Paris during the French revolution that God is mentioned so often in an inauguration. I realize that you guys have “In God We Trust” on your coins, and I therefore take it that there is no actual separation of “church and state” as is the case in some other Republics, France being one example (not that it is the perfect example by any means).
Is there actual separation of religion and state in the US constitution, or is it embedded. Just asking more than anything. Not that one is bad and one is good, more of a curiosity thing.
When guys get commissioned to the Army, Navy Air Force, Marines, do they swear allegiance to any god of some kind, or simply to the nation? In Canada when I got my commission into the Air Force, I had to swear allegiance to the Queen, not that this is lamer cause the Queen is the head of the Church of England too…but in general, references to my god, your god their god are kept out of public office.
Just observing the place that religion has in political systems.
OK, thanks. That make much more sense. Never studied US constitution…probably should as it affects everyone on the planet. Sorry Tibbs, not wanting to start a controversy on the topic. I think atl_tony clarifies it well.
At least you guys are up front about it. In Canada we dance around it claiming some sort of separation, yet you swear allegiance to the Queen who is the head of the Church of England when you put on a stripe in the armed services…may as well swear allegiance to the Pope while we are at it
I think there is more of a separation of some religions from state and complete and utter entrenchment of christianity and state in the US. We’re just as bad here in Canada where we include religion (christianity only please) in our national anthem.
The US Constitution makes no mention of the separation of church and state.
It was not until the First Amendment was passed that we get this notion in the Constitution. All that the First Amendment does vis-a-vis religion is (1) prevent Congress (the federal government) from passing laws establishing a state or national religion and (2) prevent Congress from passing laws preventing the free exercise of religion. At the time the First Amendment was adopted, the individual states were free to do so. It was not until the 14th Amendment was used to apply the protections of the First Amendment, plus other Constitutional provisions, to the several states, that we get to our current state of affairs.
That said, the oath that I took and the oaths that our federal elected officials take only require that we swear to defend the US Constitution. The “so help me God” part is not required and can be deleted if one so desires. It is a personal choice. And it is a personal choice that the US Consitution protects. We are free to invoke God’s name or not. Just as no law should prevent me from invoking God’s name, no law should require me to do so. That’s how true freedom works.
In classic Obama style, he made very clear that those of other religions (and non-believers) are as much a part of this country as any. He did make obvious the HE is a Christian.
Several things struck me about this as the person was giving the invocation.
First we are “Presenting” our government as being “Under the wings” of god. In our case a Christian god. This must seem either “Ridiculous” to those that don’t believe in god and even “Offensive” to believers of other faiths. I understand the historical significance and traditional aspects, I’m just wondering if it’s relative and or necessary anymore.
Also when Obama mentioned the “list of gods”, did I miss it or did he exclude Allah?
