Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

RSherman

(576 posts)
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 06:44 AM Oct 2023

The US has an identity crisis rooted in way too much religion [View all]

The Supreme Court has ruled many times in the spirit of "separation of church and state".

"Though not explicitly stated in the First Amendment, the clause is often interpreted to mean that the Constitution requires the separation of church and state." (Free Speech Center)

So, why in 1954 was Eisenhower allowed to add "under God" to the pledge of allegiance? Why were schools allowed to compel students to recite this IN SCHOOL, a public institution children are made, by law, to attend.

https://www.history.com/news/pledge-allegiance-under-god-schools

Then, there's our money:

https://study.com/learn/lesson/in-god-we-trust-history-purpose-money.html#:~:text=Originally%20used%20on%20coins%20during,nation%20is%20in%20God's%20hands.

Many times, I've heard pastors lament that the world would be so much better if we just brought prayers back to the school. My response?

Whose prayer should it be? From what I read, there are 5 major religions in the US and I assume many more.
Why involve school? Kids are free to pray at home, free to attend the community worship center of their choice.

68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Identity" is the root of all problems sanatanadharma Oct 2023 #1
Yes! Agree with "identifying as human" RSherman Oct 2023 #2
Just because somebody comes from a different culture... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #6
My wife comes from a Catholic culture going back 500 years. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #4
"Catholic culture" has been a very destructive force on earth Skittles Oct 2023 #12
How does my wife's identity and culture hurt you? stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #13
It doesn't. Until (or if) she decides that her culture needs to be used as a framework to 3Hotdogs Oct 2023 #14
Well, to be fair, ... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #18
Smirconish listener? Or just like the song? 3Hotdogs Oct 2023 #19
We don't have cable. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #20
He's also on XM satellite. 3Hotdogs Oct 2023 #21
This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Oct 2023 #58
Catholics are a major force in the movement that took away my bodily autonomy. Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #28
How does my wife's culture and identity harm you in any way? stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #30
I don't know your wife, so I will speak of my own experience. When I was sitting in those Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #35
This wasn't that long ago. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #47
I notice you like to post a lot of non-sequiturs. Your post has nothing Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #49
This message was self-deleted by its author stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #50
Pretend you didn't mention LGBTQ rights if you want. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #51
I have no idea what you are trying to say here. Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #54
I'm saying that... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #55
I am finding the progression of your posts incomprehensible, and am not interested enought to continue. Bye! Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #56
that culture DOES affect lives Skittles Oct 2023 #59
Did you misbehave as a child? stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #60
Yes they are. The South is where America has gotten it's current religiousity from ms liberty Oct 2023 #16
A little further to the south. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #22
Identity is a problem when the 'identity' needs to be defended sanatanadharma Oct 2023 #34
Identity becomes a problem when it is attacked. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #48
Yes, it is a two-sided coin. sanatanadharma Oct 2023 #57
Bothsiderism... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #62
For real? edisdead Oct 2023 #37
Yes, for real. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #43
Your wife's identity edisdead Oct 2023 #63
Post removed Post removed Oct 2023 #64
What is white supremecist hate? edisdead Oct 2023 #65
If you are accusing me of white supremacy edisdead Oct 2023 #66
I believe that our Founders were very wise to provide freedom of religion and freedom from religion. Lonestarblue Oct 2023 #3
Our so-called "founders" owned slaves. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #25
yes they did! edisdead Oct 2023 #38
They killed more white folks than you or I can imagine. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #46
Re: Money 303squadron Oct 2023 #5
Kids that grew up with the traditional Pledge helped win two world wars is one thing I always point brewens Oct 2023 #7
the phrase "under God" was not added until 1954 Celerity Oct 2023 #15
Edited edisdead Oct 2023 #40
Yup. n/t brewens Oct 2023 #45
Children in public schools can pray any time they want jayschool2013 Oct 2023 #8
We were founded as a Christian nation they say. Okay, and after something like 1800 years of brewens Oct 2023 #9
In Truth, prayer... SouthernLiberal Oct 2023 #10
Kids are also SickOfTheOnePct Oct 2023 #11
A lot of children pray in school, ... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #31
In School.... Maplewood, N.J. schools banned Halloween parties because some parents complained that 3Hotdogs Oct 2023 #17
They may as well ban Holy Week. stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #23
Growing up on Long Island, it was common phylny Oct 2023 #24
And then there is a chunk of the country that seems to think the (Republican) president is divinely selected ck4829 Oct 2023 #26
The world would hildegaard28 Oct 2023 #27
Completely agree! edisdead Oct 2023 #41
If you see cultural genocide as the answer, ... stuck in the middle Oct 2023 #52
imagine that! JoseBalow Oct 2023 #68
Some of the original colonies were established as religious. 3 Catholic, 5 Protestant, 5 Interdenominational. ancianita Oct 2023 #29
Can I get an amen? Siggy52 Oct 2023 #32
Sure, AMEN, now you happy? KS Toronado Oct 2023 #42
I was in elementary school when "under God" was added. kskiska Oct 2023 #33
Those were different times. The war had leftyladyfrommo Oct 2023 #36
Most people have no idea that it was the Catholics who led the movement to take prayer out of schools. Scrivener7 Oct 2023 #39
Religion. czarjak Oct 2023 #53
America is regressing to the 17th century Poiuyt Oct 2023 #44
It's not "too much religion". Its a pernicious form of Christianity that is the problem. milestogo Oct 2023 #61
Religion is a silly notion to make the small-minded feel better about death. SoFlaBro Oct 2023 #67
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The US has an identity cr...