America: A Religon?

[GreatWyrm of Babylon]

Somehow I think that the non-functioning link on the GW quote is not a co-incidence. You aiming at people that do not bother to check validity?

[GreatWyrm of Babylon]

I found it, it is an old sham...last used on Clinton
EDIT: Has a little trouble with the link, but it is fixed...

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 1, 1995


LOYALTY DAY, 1995

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

source

Our country's rich diversity of peoples and cultures has been called
"the noble experiment." From its beginnings, our great democracy has
guaranteed its citizens the blessings of freedom and the right of
self-determination. Each year, with the coming of spring and the rebirth
of nature, we pause to consider the progress of our Nation and to
reaffirm our allegiance to the American experiment.

Two hundred and twenty years ago in Lexington, Massachusetts, a
ragged group of colonial Americans faced a column of British soldiers. As
the smoke cleared from the "shot heard round the world," eight American
"Minutemen" lay dead -- their blood spilled along the path to a new Nation
on this soil. Their gift of freedom is held sacred to this day.

All Americans can be proud of the heritage of courage and sacrifice
that has extended unbroken through generations of our citizens. The
success of the United States today is seen both in our continued
prosperity and strength and in our role as an international beacon of
liberty. As we recall those who gave their lives for our freedom, we see
our Nation's history reflected in their ranks -- from the tireless
"Minutemen" in Lexington to the brave men and women who fought in the
Persian Gulf. These fine citizens, along with their families and those
who have served on the home front, deserve our profound respect and
gratitude. Let history forever record our loyalty to their legacy.

The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, has designated May 1 of each year
as "Loyalty Day." We spend this day in celebration of our Constitution
and our precious Bill of Rights and in honor of the sacrifices that have
enabled this great charter to endure.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 1995, as Loyalty Day. I call upon
all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and
activities, including public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag of the United States. I also call upon government officials to
display the flag on all government buildings and grounds on this day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day
of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
nineteenth.



WILLIAM J. CLINTON

[Anarchist Patriot]

All dictators need to create a Cult of Personality. This was true of Stalin, Hitler, Franco or any other dictator you can think of.

Is it any wonder that in Russia, Stalin's photo was made bigger than life and his name was spoken only in the greatest reverence? You see, this is why churches were persecuted in Stalinist Russia, because there could be no other God but Stalin.

I see Bush in the same vein. Bush has created his own cult. This is why Bush wants the plege of allegence to be protected by law. We are seeing new constitutional ammendments to prohibit gay marriages. What for? Because its a way to get the sheeple to follow Bush and elevate his personality to godlike status!

[hondacivic21218]

There are two kinds of religion, 1) Diety focused and 2) civil focused. In the first category are all the usual suspects. In the second is patriotism. If you are a patriotic American, or a patriotic any other nation, you are indulging in a civil religion. Diety and civil religions use many of the same gimmicks to atrack follwers--music, imposing architecture, pledges, flags, harsh penalties (including ostracism) for leaving the fold, etc., etc.....

[peace_hawk]

One way I judge a religion is if it offers a "salvation." America does seem to offer a salvation though of a civil nature. This salvation is political expression with economic opportunity for those able to participate.

We evangelise others and even seem to think it is our "destiny" to bring our "god's" gift of liberty to all nations (proslytizing?).

We have our own camps, liberals who are open to other "civil religions" and conservatives who see a "war for civilization" (of course if we use a strict definition of "civilization" it is a clash between Wahabbism and liberal democricies...i.e. two civiliaztions) which is a war of religion. Not Christianity vs Islam but Liberal democraticism vs Radical Islam.

America is a "denomination" within the religion of secular humanistic democracies. We offer a way to be saved to the world. we are willing to conquer people to "give" them that salvation. We have an eschatology. One day all nations will be democratic.

Sounds like a religion to me,

[haoqide]

I'll say this much...when you pledge allegiance to a flag of any country, you're putting it above God himself (if you so believe in God). And when you go to war and fight for the United States (or any country), you're contradicting what the Bible says about loving your neighbor...Christians believe the Bible is God's word...therefore, in light of the Bible, I'd have to say that, yes, American (indeed, nationalism in general) is a religion.

[damnrad]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Dislogic,)
well lets get things started eh?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,...1007741,00.html

edit: got rid of article - click link to read it...

ok well this article is about how George Bush jr. and his cabinet have created basicly an American religon... Mostly in his speeches since 9/11...

just wanted to see what people thought about this and if they believe that Bush is right in using God as a prominent figure in his speeches. I personally do not believe that religon should be included in government in the least and everything in US law that is currently affected by religon in any way. But thats coming from an aetheist..

I totally agree with this article by the way. Except that maybe its not so right to put all this American / Religon stuff on geroge Bush since i believe that all of our president save a few have used God and religon to influence them in many of there decisions... not to mention leaders of other countries...

Well atleast we have something to talk about now <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>

Oh, Dubya didn't invent America the Religion. It existed long before he did. He has just used, and abused, it mercilessly.

Don't forget that Congress added 'under God' to a good socialist's Pledge of Allegiance nearly 50 years ago. And U.S. schoolchildren have been praying to the flag ever since.

[hondacivic21218]

Among Bush's many blunders was his gross underestimation of Iraqi nationalism --aka Iraqi civil religion. Prior to the invasion, every Iraqi but one (Chalibi) interviewed on TV in effect said, "Yes, we want to get rid of S.H., but we want to do it ourselves. We just need your help." NONE said, "Get rid of him for us." We were not invited to take over the place, and Bush didn't listen. As of now,4-5,000 U.S. "boots" have paid the price for Bush's stupidity. It's another Vietnam. There the U.S. was fighting AGAINST communism, while the Viets were fighting FOR national independence. In Iraq, the U.S. is ostensibly fighting AGAINST terrorism (or is it FOR oil?), while the Iraqis are fighting FOR national independence. Trying to make nice to them with public works projects won't do the trick!