Is atheism/polytheism un-American?

The United States was not founded on the Christian religion as stated in the Treaty of Tripoli and it prohibits respecting any establishment of religion, but ever since the U.S. Civil War, when "In God We Trust" appeared on coins and "under God" was inserted into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, that has (sort of) changed. Granted, these references to God are not explicit to which god it is referring to, although we can assume that it is a monotheistic God, given the capitalized "g". Therefore, this is a loss to atheists and polytheists who do not believe in a singular God or some variation of one. In fact, "In God We Trust" implies that all U.S. citizens believe in God, and if U.S. citizens must  believe in God, then therefore atheists and polytheists should be deported or killed to stay consistent within their own motto. Of course, monotheists won't admit this, although this lack of literal interpretation is akin to when Christian moderates interpret the book of Genesis symbolically. (I'd argue that no Christian interprets the Bible literally, because it's impossible with the contradictions and absurdities in the so called holy book.)

I have decided that as much I love being in the U.S., I don't feel welcomed here, and that I will leave when I am financially independent and can afford a change in the environment. Either that, or I will try to obtain some political position that will allow me to help change the motto. I will probably do the latter. Am I being too radical on this issue? I think I am, just because I don't rebel against Christmas, but it's not the government that runs Christmas. It's the free market. This issue is specifically pro-government when it shouldn't be.

Even from a monotheists' perspective, I don't see the significance of having God everywhere. You can't materialize God. That goes against the nature of God. It reduces the significance of God if he does exist. Of course, I'm not a monotheist, so that perspective is invalid.

What are your thoughts? Should atheists and polytheists do something about this or should just leave entirely?

Hmm the poll doesn't seem to be working for me. In any case though I would have voted for "They should deal with it. It's fine the way it is."

Now granted I've never been to America so maybe I'm making that statement from a sheltered point of view. Nevertheless something as silly as a motto shouldn't be grounds for you wanting to leave the country. When America becomes a flat out theocracy and starts to actively discriminate against atheists (or starts deporting and killing them) then you might become worried. For now though it's not a big deal. You're not some downtrodden segment of society, you're just an atheist.

Interesting stuff. In England, the Monarch is also head of the Church of England - by virtue. The C of E to take a role in legislation here (i.e. the sex education reforms in UK news today were established by an unelected committee of C of E, Catholic adherents and educators.) 

Christian religion is so culturally and historically ingrained in most societies that a country offering "Separation of Church and State" would seem appealing. I suppose France, Sweden, Norway and Finland are pretty secular in Europe, but places like Switzerland have (practically) compulsory automatic 6% earnings tithing at source! Which gets me asking: Where are you thinking of going to?

Unless I've read your survey options incorrectly, aren't there another options too, i.e, move to a US area where your views are shared, and/or question the establishment view with the aim of promoting rationalism/naturalism/your view where it is needed most?

The United States was not founded on the Christian religion as stated in the Treaty of Tripoli and it prohibits respecting any establishment of religion, but ever since the U.S. Civil War, when "In God We Trust" appeared on coins and "under God" was inserted into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, that has (sort of) changed.

Genetic_Code

Whoa, whoa, hold on here - although "In God We Trust" was indeed added to coins after the Civil War, it didn't become the official US motto, and "under God" wasn't added to the Pledge of Allegiance, until the 1950s as basically a cynical gesture to pit the godly Americans against the godless communists.

At any rate, even if I were an atheist or polytheist, I wouldn't tell them what they should do, because how would I know what they want? 

Whoa, whoa, hold on here - although "In God We Trust" was indeed added to coins after the Civil War, it didn't become the official US motto, and "under God" wasn't added to the Pledge of Allegiance, until the 1950s as basically a cynical gesture to pit the godly Americans against the godless communists.GabuEx

Actually, "In God We Trust" was added in 1864, during the Civil War, and I was using the Civil War as just a starting point when God started mixing into the government.

At any rate, even if I were an atheist or polytheist, I wouldn't tell them what they should do, because how would I know what they want?GabuEx

Who's "them"? The government or the atheists/polytheists?

I think being picky about "In God We Trust" is as ridiculous as being picky about evolution taught in schools.ghoklebutter

It's the principle more than anything else I guess.

Chessmaster,

Re your sig: 

Is that an evangelist praying at the alter of rock in your sig, or just some very phatt bling?

Chessmaster,

Re your sig: 

Is that an evangelist praying at the alter of rock in your sig, or just some very phatt bling?

 

RationalAtheist

Oh that's just the guitarist from the metal band Black Sabbath: Tommy Iommi. He just wears that cross for the hell of it. :P

Anti-God is Anti-American. - LOL non-sequitur

Anti-American is treason.

therefore, Anti-God is treason. Are we still living in medieval ages?

Chessmaster,

Re your sig: 

Is that an evangelist praying at the alter of rock in your sig, or just some very phatt bling?

 

RationalAtheist

It's Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath. He and Ozzy both wear crosses.

those are on there because the majority of our population and almost ALL of our government are christian of some kind.

 once that changes, then i will have an issue to such things as god being mentioned on the pledge of alliegance and on coins.

we are a nation governed by the majority, and as such things that represent us as a country(flag, national anthem) will represent the majority's views. 

i see no real issue to this. i mean come on if you are a strong atheist, just say it anyways. you always know that you are right in that a christian god does not exist, and that is all that matters.