The Religion Thread

[O Really]

Well, there is a large majority of the US that when asked would say they believe in some god. As long as the government isn't imposing a particular sect, there's probably no real harm done. A lot of sayings, taken literally, aren't quite true. Like "the land of the free and home of the brave" f'rinstance.

[rstrong]

Wikipedia: Jedi census phenomenon

Back in the 2001 census I was one of those who responded as "Jedi." The numbers have since been diluted by Pastafarians, etc.

Now I respond as non-religious, since Jedi and Pastafarians would still be grouped in as "religious." I don't want to give the politicians the wrong impression.

[Mr.B]

".....I just thought...."

Therein lies your problem.

"Now I respond as non-religious.... I don't want to give the politicians the wrong impression."

You needn't worry none. The Magical Ground Fairy is still highly pleased with your servitude.

[Mr.B]

"I'm not crying, Mr.B screws up again. I'm just remarking on the desperate stupidity of believers that try to claim that "In God We Trust" is not religious. In fact, I think the irony of y'all committing Commandment level false witness in order to promote your disdain for the 1st Amendment is hilarious. Thank you."

You still didn't explain how a motto prevents the HCSO from serving "all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally".
Inquiring minds want to know. (make your reply interesting; you're good at hyperbole)

[rstrong]

"Now I respond as non-religious.... I don't want to give the politicians the wrong impression."

You needn't worry none. The Magical Ground Fairy is still highly pleased with your servitude.

Just because one doesn't believe in your mythology's magical fairy, it doesn't meant that they believe in a different one.

[Mr.B]

"Now I respond as non-religious.... I don't want to give the politicians the wrong impression."

You needn't worry none. The Magical Ground Fairy is still highly pleased with your servitude.

Just because one doesn't believe in your mythology's magical fairy, it doesn't meant that they believe in a different one.

You needn't worry; The Magical Ground Fairy believes in you.

[rstrong]

You still didn't explain how a motto prevents the HCSO from serving "all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally".
Inquiring minds want to know. (make your reply interesting; you're good at hyperbole)

The motto strongly implies a preference for religious belief, and thus a preference for religious believers. That goes against equality.

As an aside, it would be interesting to swap "In God We Trust" for "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Greatest"). It's an equally religion-neutral phrase, but no doubt those arguing for "In God We Trust" would freak.

[rstrong]

You needn't worry; The Magical Ground Fairy believes in you.

Your assertion that your imaginary friend - or your imaginary friend's imaginary friend - believes in me, is relevant in only one way: It declares that you should not be trusted with authority over others or a position affecting their safety.

[Mr.B]

"You still didn't explain how a motto prevents the HCSO from serving "all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally".
Inquiring minds want to know. (make your reply interesting; you're good at hyperbole)"

"The motto strongly implies a preference for religious belief, and thus a preference for religious believers. That goes against equality."
So you're suggesting that, because of the presence of that motto on an LEO car, non-Christians, atheists, non-Jewish, etc. arrestees will be treated differently than Christians? Or that traffic citations will be handed out mostly to non-Christians just because of the presence of that motto?

"As an aside, it would be interesting to swap "In God We Trust" for "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Greatest"). It's an equally religion-neutral phrase, but no doubt those arguing for "In God We Trust" would freak."
If you say so; however "Allahu Akbar" is a victory cry spoken after the conclusion of the murder of an "infidel".

[Mr.B]

You needn't worry; The Magical Ground Fairy believes in you.

Your assertion that your imaginary friend - or your imaginary friend's imaginary friend - believes in me, is relevant in only one way: It declares that you should not be trusted with authority over others or a position affecting their safety.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(cherry-pick 3:7)

[O Really]

"I'm not crying, Mr.B screws up again. I'm just remarking on the desperate stupidity of believers that try to claim that "In God We Trust" is not religious. In fact, I think the irony of y'all committing Commandment level false witness in order to promote your disdain for the 1st Amendment is hilarious. Thank you."

You still didn't explain how a motto prevents the HCSO from serving "all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally".
Inquiring minds want to know. (make your reply interesting; you're good at hyperbole)

I don't know that anybody said it did. So your argument is that the motto serves no purpose, but is harmless to operations so let's put it on the cars, right?

[rstrong]

So you're suggesting that, because of the presence of that motto on an LEO car, non-Christians, atheists, non-Jewish, etc. arrestees will be treated differently than Christians? Or that traffic citations will be handed out mostly to non-Christians just because of the presence of that motto?

An organization expressing a clear preference for the religious, implies preferential treatment for the religious.

If you say so; however "Allahu Akbar" is a victory cry spoken after the conclusion of the murder of an "infidel".

Only in the tiny minds of paranoid bigots like yourself. It's a universal expression of victory, distress, surprise, joy, not specific to any type of situation. Yes, Islamic jihadists use it too, but Christian jihadists use "Yay", "Good God", etc. That doesn't make "Yay" or "Good God" about murder.

[Mr.B]

"You still didn't explain how a motto prevents the HCSO from serving "all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally".

"I don't know that anybody said it did."

Refresher:
Vrede too wrote:
To: NC ACLU:
"The Henderson County, NC Sheriff's Department patrol cars have "In God We Trust" printed in bold letters on the trunks.
I want our LEOs to serve all citizens, believers and non-believers, equally.
Is there anything that you can do?"

Thanks,

"So your argument is that the motto serves no purpose, but is harmless to operations so let's put it on the cars, right?"
Correct. It serves no purpose as far as the operation of the HCSO. Therefore, what does it matter that it was put on the cars? If a deputy doesn't want to drive one of the cars with the motto, he/she doesn't have to; according to what I've heard. I've also not heard if there are consequences if he/she doesn't.
What does it matter that you pass a church on the side of a state-owned highway? What does it matter that signs bearing religious advertising/slogans/photos, etc are alongside state owned highways? If you don't like them, don't believe in them; don't look. If you don't want to go into a church, no one is going to force you.

[rstrong]

You needn't worry; The Magical Ground Fairy believes in you.

Your assertion that your imaginary friend - or your imaginary friend's imaginary friend - believes in me, is relevant in only one way: It declares that you should not be trusted with authority over others or a position affecting their safety.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(cherry-pick 3:7)

That's a typical mealy-mouthed cop-out from those who use blind faith to avoid knowledge and truth. "Screw your evidence and reason; invisible sky fairy says I'm right."

[Mr.B]

So you're suggesting that, because of the presence of that motto on an LEO car, non-Christians, atheists, non-Jewish, etc. arrestees will be treated differently than Christians? Or that traffic citations will be handed out mostly to non-Christians just because of the presence of that motto?

"An organization expressing a clear preference for the religious, implies preferential treatment for the religious."
Only in the tiny, paranoid, bigoted, minds of the God haters. "Implying" and "doing" are two different actions.

"If you say so; however "Allahu Akbar" is a victory cry spoken after the conclusion of the murder of an "infidel".

"Only in the tiny minds of paranoid bigots like yourself. It's a universal expression of victory, distress, surprise, joy, not specific to any type of situation. Yes, Islamic jihadists use it too, but Christian jihadists use "Yay", "Good God", etc. That doesn't make "Yay" or "Good God" about murder."
Only in the tiny minds of paranoid bigots like yourself. Good choice of words to describe your remarks. Thanks.

[Mr.B]

"That's a typical mealy-mouthed cop-out from those who use blind faith to avoid knowledge and truth. "Screw your evidence and reason; invisible sky fairy says I'm right."

That's a typical mealy-mouthed reply from a typical God-hater when an educated reply escapes him.
Your loving Magical Ground Fairy is so proud of you.

[Vrede too]

Well, there is a large majority of the US that when asked would say they believe in some god. As long as the government isn't imposing a particular sect, there's probably no real harm done....

True, Christians can be much more damaging than that, but the HCSD is still intentionally sending the message that nonbelievers are less than full citizens and less than full cops.

[O Really]

"So your argument is that the motto serves no purpose, but is harmless to operations so let's put it on the cars, right?"
Correct. It serves no purpose as far as the operation of the HCSO. Therefore, what does it matter that it was put on the cars? If a deputy doesn't want to drive one of the cars with the motto, he/she doesn't have to; according to what I've heard. I've also not heard if there are consequences if he/she doesn't.

Ok, so what is the purpose of putting it on the cars? Nevermind whether it's harmful or harmless. Why is it there?

[Vrede too]

Correct. It serves no purpose as far as the operation of the HCSO. Therefore, what does it matter that it was put on the cars? If a deputy doesn't want to drive one of the cars with the motto, he/she doesn't have to; according to what I've heard. I've also not heard if there are consequences if he/she doesn't.

I didn't know that it is only on some HCSD cars, interesting. That said, you're delusional if you don't think there's implicit and explicit peer pressure to not stand out by refusing to drive a religious squad car.

[bannination]

Correct. It serves no purpose as far as the operation of the HCSO. Therefore, what does it matter that it was put on the cars? If a deputy doesn't want to drive one of the cars with the motto, he/she doesn't have to; according to what I've heard. I've also not heard if there are consequences if he/she doesn't.

I didn't know that it is only on some HCSD cars, interesting. That said, you're delusional if you don't think there's implicit and explicit peer pressure to not
stand out by refusing to drive a religious squad car.

EDIT: Update for translation.

*Very* delusional.

Just put this in a caption below "In God We Trust"
nathiq fi alllah
نثق في الله

See how quick it then becomes a religious motto.

People like Mr. B are so transparent it's pathetic, and they actually believe they're making cogent arguments that other people should accept for a religious motto.