The Podium Built, Obama Set to "Alienate" and "Stigmatize"The PC movement continued its attack on popular culture this week with the launching of a lawsuit against participants involved with President-Elect Obama's "Oath of Office", which contains the heinous phrase "... so help me God."
While most Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Skeptics chalk it up as a figure of speech, one group in particular lead by California doctor Michael Newdow feels that the speech will "alienate" and "stigmatise" him. He also contends that he is being "forced to countenance endorsements of purely religious notions". He feels he would be endorsing religion in sitting down and watching the show.
As I read this, some thoughts came to mind:
- the "so help me God" part is a traditional add-on, left up to the discretion of the oath-taker. It is a moment of personal expression. It is not part of the oath itself. What sanctions should be placed against the President if he utters a phrase that could be construed as religious? How do you police this?
- what about the "God bless the United States of America" that is tacked on to the end of many Presidential Addresses. Are these words equally "stigmatizing"?
- what about this Newdow fellow's first name? "Michael" is a Hebrew name meaning "One who is like God". Does he find his own business card to be "alienating"? I mean, so long as we're splitting hairs here, right?
- I'll betcha this guy takes a dim view of Canada, a country which has "God" in its National Anthem.
I can appreciate that this guy has a cause, but really? How much money and time is he pouring into this? Who really cares? If he's done anything at all, he's probably set his cause back 30 years. You really want your crosshairs on an American institution like the Inauguration? The Americans love that stuff.
Anyhow, just my opinion. I prefer the Bill Maher approach to get people talking and thinking about things.
5 comments:
Praise (insert fictitious deity here) and pass the ammo!
I agree with your approach but you're not nearly as funny as Bill Maher is.
Bill Maher's job IS to be funny. I have a day job doing very important work to the benefit of society. What's your excuse?
well, first of all my comment was directed at Gerry. It's not all about you all the time Mr. 'me myself and I' Grenwich. But your comment 'doing very important work to the benefit of society' is very funny and is worthy of Bill Maher material. I hope he reads Gerry's blog and picks it up, stay tuned!
People read Gerry's blog?
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