I Pledge Allegiance to ... A Theocratic Motto?
July 28, 2006 2:18 PM   Subscribe

"we recognize a divine plan that stands above all human plans and continue to seek His will." So says George W. Bush in a proclamation affirming a Senate resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of President Eisenhower's decision to establish In God We Trust as the national motto of the United States. Coincidentally, George's brother Jeb has recently approved In God We Trust as Florida's official state motto.
posted by jonp72 (58 comments total)
 
The whole "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" thing was a bad idea. I'm glad they fixed that.
posted by mullingitover at 2:24 PM on July 28, 2006


I'm glad this such a pressing concern for both sides.
posted by keswick at 2:24 PM on July 28, 2006


Today, our country stands strong as a beacon of religious freedom.

Somebody needs to fill the judge in on that part...
posted by mullingitover at 2:25 PM on July 28, 2006


GWB's proclamation (1st link) gives me the fucking creeps.
posted by Ickster at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2006


[spits]
posted by gurple at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2006


Creeps me out too. Didn't we have a Renaissance and an Enlightenment? Sure doesn't sound like it.
posted by zoogleplex at 2:29 PM on July 28, 2006


The White House press release is also creepy in its capitalization of terms like "Creator" and "His." It's like reading a passage from the Bible. Waitasec . . .
posted by brain_drain at 2:32 PM on July 28, 2006


*retch*
posted by interrobang at 2:36 PM on July 28, 2006


has recently approved In God We Trust as Florida's official state motto.

trust in God, but always verify you have five votes in the SCOTUS, Jebby
posted by matteo at 2:38 PM on July 28, 2006




Without it, how else could we have those hilarious "In God we trust, all others pay cash" signs?
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:48 PM on July 28, 2006


Who you callin' "we," Christian Man?
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:58 PM on July 28, 2006


NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2006, as the 50th Anniversary of our National Motto, "In God We Trust." I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

*Belches*

'Scuse me, I'm going to go take a huge shit.
posted by Stauf at 3:02 PM on July 28, 2006


No, no, come back Stauf! You have to wait until Sunday!
posted by zoogleplex at 3:14 PM on July 28, 2006


In Creeping Things We Trust.
posted by homunculus at 3:19 PM on July 28, 2006


On second thought, what the hell. It's just a goddamned piece of paper, right?
posted by interrobang at 3:20 PM on July 28, 2006


The Catholic Church was adept at keeping the masses unlearned, and thus solidifying their power.

We sometimes call it the "Dark Ages."
posted by The Jesse Helms at 3:29 PM on July 28, 2006


NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United $tate$ of Ameri¢orp, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2006, as the 50th Anniversary of our idolatry of money. I call upon the people of the United $tate$ to observe this day with appropriate greed, debt, and 70% off closeout sales.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:33 PM on July 28, 2006 [1 favorite]


I've been meaning to start this meme for a while: take all your one dollar bills, and mark out "In God We". beneath the "ONE", write "Another". "Trust Oen Another". I've been meaning to make a template.

BTW, it is not illegal to alter money, as long as it remains spendable.
posted by re6smith at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2006


Boy, they really must be worried about their base--this is like the hundredth thing this month dedicated just to them.
posted by amberglow at 3:39 PM on July 28, 2006


If googleplex would open his email in a timely fashion he would have seen the Jan. 2000 memo that ended the Reanaissance and Enlightenment.
posted by notreally at 3:43 PM on July 28, 2006


Screw your fucking God. This country sucks.

Seriously. Is this really happening? What can this Administration possibly do next? Declare that sex outside of marriage is a Class 2 Felony? According to their religion they're apparently foisting upon the rest of us, it's a sin. So it's not like it's so fucking far-fetched.
posted by ninjew at 3:49 PM on July 28, 2006


Relax, people. If you're not a sinner you don't have anything to worry about.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:51 PM on July 28, 2006 [3 favorites]


When Bush is out of office...

When this nation-sized frat-boy comedy finally rolls credits...

When someone with more sense is finally elected President and the right-wing punditscape picks something and starts in, and they will, about how "Bush may have blabbity-blah, but at least he never blablaBLAH," remember this moment.

In fact, save the URL to this thread.
posted by JHarris at 4:13 PM on July 28, 2006


So - building a trebuchet to launch a large mass of cowshit at the white house - not legal so much?
Cause I'm thinkin' I could build one....

Also, man, if I was an atheist I'd be pissed. I'm so glad (as a non-theist) I find the whole thing a non-issue. The cowshit thing, y'know, I just don't like Bush much.
posted by Smedleyman at 4:14 PM on July 28, 2006


Well, as an Atheist, I find the whole thing a mint issue.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:16 PM on July 28, 2006


Can someone who doesn't believe in the concept of capital-S Sin be a sinner? A church-going type who did the things I enjoy doing might be sinning, but I don't think I'm even capable of it since I don't believe in it.

Suck it, haters sinners
posted by emelenjr at 4:19 PM on July 28, 2006


From the first link:

"Today, our country stands strong as a beacon of religious freedom. Our citizens, whatever their faith or background, worship freely and millions answer the universal call to love their neighbor and serve a cause greater than self."

Uh.. yeh. Is he thinking of the same USA that I am thinking of?
posted by pseudonism at 4:34 PM on July 28, 2006



posted by squirrel at 4:43 PM on July 28, 2006


fuck god
posted by cellphone at 5:17 PM on July 28, 2006




I'm going to puke.
posted by mike3k at 5:48 PM on July 28, 2006


Jesus H. Christ in a horse-driven sidecar, what a stupid thing to waste time on.
posted by Pastabagel at 6:05 PM on July 28, 2006


What exactly are we trusting God with?
posted by TwelveTwo at 6:22 PM on July 28, 2006


In God we bank and trust.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 6:36 PM on July 28, 2006


Jesus H. Christ in a horse-driven sidecar, what a stupid thing to waste time on.

It's awesome, and it's that rare place where the libertarian right meets the religious right.

fundy: I'm relieved that He is restored.
libertarian: Thank god they're not breaking something new today.
posted by Kwantsar at 6:39 PM on July 28, 2006


Man, that state of Florida. They sure are creative when it comes to mottos.
posted by graventy at 7:51 PM on July 28, 2006


You all do realize this is meaningless, right?
Right?
I mean it's a proclamation affirming a Senate resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of something that was itself meaningless when it originally happened.
Way to tie yourselves in knots over it while your government does some real damage, though.
posted by rocket88 at 8:06 PM on July 28, 2006


JHarris: "When someone with more sense is finally elected President and the..."

Whoa there, pardner! Whut makes ya think that's ever gonna happen? The Rapture Right has got a stranglehold on the congress, half the electorate, the electoral college, and the judicial system in this country. They will make sure the executive branch is gonna be run by another wolf hiding in conservative fundamentalist clothing. I'm betting on McCain. God help me*, I might even vote for McCain if they put him on the ticket.

"In fact, save the URL to this thread."

Yeah. Save this thread so when I'm repeatedly screaming "I told you so!" as we all get carted off to Sinners Prison for bein' differnt, you'll know what I'm talkin' about!

* God help me, or y'know, whoever or whatever you believe in or floats your boat or whatever. I'm an equal opportunity heretic.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:11 PM on July 28, 2006


Relax, people. If you're not a sinner you don't have anything to worry about.

I'm pretty sure that the mere act of not believing in God will guarantee that all of us here in this thread will be getting to know each other for a very long time.
posted by hoborg at 8:13 PM on July 28, 2006


Seems like a good time to bring this up.
posted by telstar at 8:26 PM on July 28, 2006


...Holy shit.

"And, look, I fully understand some people don't believe it's possible for freedom and democracy to overcome this ideology of hatred. I understand that. I just happen to believe it is possible."

Does this bastard even know the definition of words like freedom and liberty? He uses the words as if someone told him those are buzzwords that research shows work well with voters. Say words like freedom and liberty a lot, it'll be like kissin' babies! Maybe he should try words like thesaurus and dictionary.

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

You don't generate freedom and democracy by overpowering the masses with weapons and Hummers. You can't invade a country and CONTROL how they be free. That's like saving a drowning man by pouring water down his gullet.

"One reason why the Palestinians still suffer is because there are militants who refuse to accept a Palestinian state based upon democratic principles."

At the risk of sounding as daft as Bush here, and the difference is I'm willing to admit I don't know jack about foreign policy, I have YET to see proof that Palestinian society WANTS to be based on democratic principles. I mean if you really let them vote without any manipulation or control, would they actually vote in people who represent democratic ideals, or would they vote in men who claim to represent their religious ideals? Would they vote in a politician, or a priest? or a warlord?

You can't force a woman to take off her burqua and then call her free. Simultaneously, you cannot allow a woman to wear a burqua due to cultural and religious dogma, and then call her free. You would have to redesign the entire culture to allow a woman to choose to (or not to) wear a burqua because she wants to, not because her husband or her father or her god instructs her to. And you can't do that to the Middle East. One either wants to be free, or not. You can't force someone to be free.

"And I believe it will happen. And so what you're seeing is, you know, a clash of governing styles."

No. What we're seeing is a clash of perspectives on reality. People like Bush who believe in a false reality, and people who accept what their senses tell them. That's the clash here. Reality versus religious zealotry of multiple extremes.

People who accept the universe as it is, versus people who are trying to engineer armageddon, because they believe themselves to be instruments of their gods. If the end of the world does come, it won't be god doing it. It'll be idiots who think they're doing their god's will, and use the name of God to smite anyone who disagrees with how they want the end of the world to come.

"...instead of having foreign policies based upon trying to create a sense of stability, we have a foreign policy that addresses the root causes of violence and instability."

Huh. Instead of trying to put out the fire, we've discovered that if you fan the flames, you can make the book of Revelation happen today! Gee whiz! It's fun!

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

Slips of the tongue? Really? I think not.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:50 PM on July 28, 2006


squirrel I'm afraid you are fired for posting a photo-shopped photo of W.

Oh, unless ... maybe he IS a divine being!
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:50 PM on July 28, 2006




You all do realize this is meaningless, right?
Right?


Wrong.

The seperation of church and state should be complete. Those of us who are areligious understand the importance of this, those of us who are not Christians recognize the importance of this, while those of you who consider themselves Christian should consider Christ's words regarding the subject.

This silly-assed publicizing of personal religion by political leaders has got to stop. Their job is to do their damn job. Silly-assed "Day of Bullshit" proclamations should be put to death: they are a waste of time and subject to idiotic abuse. We don't need them.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:42 PM on July 28, 2006


Not growing - they've been a threat sadly for a long, long time.

Whenever the administration puts out a press release like this, I wonder what real thing they're doing behind the scenes - you know, put out something obviously offensive to get people in a lather and/or distracted from the really pressing issues of this country. Shameful on all counts.
posted by rmm at 9:49 PM on July 28, 2006


Mullingitover: You wrote (sarcastically): "The whole "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" thing was a bad idea. I'm glad they fixed that."
--Please remember the rest of the 1st Ammendment as it relates to this topic: "...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
posted by MetaJeffrey at 9:54 PM on July 28, 2006


Sent : Saturday, July 29, 2006 4:56 AM
To : comments@whitehouse.gov
Subject : Proclamation

| | | Inbox


In response to George Bush's comments -
50th Anniversary of Our National Motto, "In God We Trust," 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America


"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2006, as the 50th Anniversary of our National Motto, "In God We Trust." I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. "


Dear Mr. President,

What would be an appropriate activity? I was thinking of perhaps flying the flag upside down. Let me know if this would be something that you might approve of.
posted by bradth27 at 10:03 PM on July 28, 2006


Please remember the rest of the 1st Ammendment as it relates to this topic: "...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

To which I suggest you organize your own religion — and even, if you're tremendously successful at that, the cooperation of many other religions — to promote the notion of a day of national prayer, commemeration of event, or planned vacation day off for whatever religious event tickles your fancy.

It is utter foolishness to suggest the government should have involvement in same.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:43 PM on July 28, 2006


Some people don't like that.
posted by homunculus at 10:45 PM on July 28, 2006


(Flying the flag upside down, that is.)
posted by homunculus at 10:46 PM on July 28, 2006


Say what you will, I've got glory bumps running up and down my spine. Hallelujah, brethern, that great day is coming when we shall all cross the River Jordan into the New Jerusalem.

Now excuse me while I speak in tongues for a minute or two.

Gfgasgkd jjd fgao jgdaj safajk gjdsj!
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:26 PM on July 28, 2006 [1 favorite]


.or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
posted by MetaJeffrey at 9:54 PM PST


Please show how the Office Of The President - which has such features as:
1) control of the military
2) Presidential pardons
is on the same level as a "citizen".

You imply Te President
is magically separated from The Constitution? Bonus points if you can reconcile the actions of the United States leadership with The Constitution.

Minus $5 to your pocketbook if you are unwilling to answer this challenge...and the Lords of the realm should delete your account.
posted by rough ashlar at 12:04 AM on July 29, 2006


"If googleplex would open his email in a timely fashion he would have seen the Jan. 2000 memo that ended the Reanaissance and Enlightenment."

Well, no wonder I didn't get it, if they sent it to "googleplex"!!

Can't they get anything right? Sheesh!
posted by zoogleplex at 10:20 AM on July 29, 2006


It's all okay. In a couple of years he'll be declared Emperor God, and the televised human sacrifice will start at a centralised location rather than overseas, and it'll all be okay.
posted by tomble at 4:11 PM on July 29, 2006


What scares me is the state getting involved in religion. Someone I knew who rans a shelter out of church basement was asked for ID information of all the various transients who've passed through their shelter. This church, of course, accepts no federal funds and doesn't keep ID information of the homeless and transient folks who have stayed there, and reported this to the census taker quite clearly. The census taker insinuated that the shelter keeper was breaking some law by not ID-ing the folks who stayed there. That's the chocolate in my peanut butter that no one seems to have been addressing. Say what you want about religion--but these are the folks who will give your ass sanctuary when the shit hits the fan. Look at the Trocmes and Corrie Ten Booms and be wary of these so-called "Christian" wolves in sheep's clothing! A real Christian would save your atheist ass! Think! Jesus!
posted by eegphalanges at 7:42 PM on July 29, 2006




mullingitover, that yutopian.com link is transparent propaganda. "There is no god in Buddhism to love or take care of its people." "The Quran does not mention Allah's love towards his people." ("His people?" Muslims don't think of god as a shepherd, they're not "his people".)
posted by Firas at 10:30 AM on August 1, 2006


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