Burningbird: Pledge III

June 28, 2002

Pledge III

Much discussion about the Pledge of Allegience ruling. Many people believe the issue is much ado about nothing, while others are mildly or strongly supportive of the ruling. Of those who dislike the ruling, it seems that there is a strong belief that without religion, we will flounder about, without moral guidance and support.

A friend sent me a quote in an email that I find apropo in regards to the necessity of religion to provide a foundation for morality:

“Secular schools can never be tolerated because such schools have no religious instruction, and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith.”

The author? Adolf Hitler from a speech he made during negotiations for the Nazi-Vatican Concordant in 1993.

Posted by Bb at June 28, 2002 10:40 AM

Comments

I agree that there is a prevalent fear of 'godless' (read: amoral) education. As tolerance of non-Christian faiths increases (though there is a long, long way to go) faithlessness still seems to be taboo: apparently, it is easier for many to understand worshipping the 'wrong' god than it is to understand believing in no god. After all, the 1954 phraseology wasn't added to differentiate Americans from Jews or Muslims, but from [officially] atheistic communists, and the fact that an atheist (equivalent to being communist in some minds?) has stricken down that supplemental wording has got to stick in some red-menaced craws.

Posted by: steve himmer on June 28, 2002 12:03 PM

wow. check out AKMA's take on the issue. Informed and well argued, from the Christian side of the issue.

Posted by: jeneane on June 28, 2002 06:52 PM

Steve - in some ways, I think it's a variation of the King's Clothes. Just on a more widespread, long-term, sophisticated level.

Posted by: Bb aka Shelley aka Weblog Bosswoman on June 28, 2002 07:42 PM

His post is a gem alright.

Posted by: steve on June 28, 2002 07:50 PM