The First Amendment Is Atheistic

[ComplexityofChaos]

There is a lot of rubbish about the USA being a Christian nation. However, I have noticed that most atheists do not realize that they have an excellent come back against those who make the claim the USA is a Christian nation. America's greatest law is the First Amendment, which allows freedom of speech. Without this law, no other freedom can exist. The mistake many people make is in failing to realize that the First Amendment does stake out a theistic position, and it is an atheistic one.

Many religions claim that blasphemy is real. Claims are made all the time that one must persecute, and even murder, those who insult one's god or prophet. For anyone holding such beliefs, compromise and tolerance is impossible. The First Amendment, rather than taking a neutral position with respect to such religious beliefs, openly proclaims that these specific beliefs are ridiculous. The First Amendment allows anyone to make any statement that they care to, no matter how insulting the statement may be, with respect to another's religion. This could only be allowed in a nation where the legal system takes the position that blasphemy does not exist. The First Amendment states that anyone who believes that people will go to eternal hell unless they persecute a blasphemer are wrong in their belief. No religious fundamentalist would have devised such a law. And this is exactly why the idea for the First Amendment originally came from an atheist, Baruch Spinoza.

I am thankful that the US was founded on atheism, not Christianity.

[Kayenneh]

Hello and welcome to the forums.


You do realize that even though what you wrote might be true, most religious people are of the opinion that 'you are free to speak what you want to, as long as I like what you say'.

[ComplexityofChaos]

Hello and welcome to the forums.


You do realize that even though what you wrote might be true, most religious people are of the opinion that 'you are free to speak what you want to, as long as I like what you say'.

That may be true. However, the First Amendment does allow for unpopular speech. That's why it exists. No one needs a law to allow them to state what is popular. It is just easier for atheists to be tolerant than it is for religious fundies, because atheists don't believe anyone is going to be punished for blasphemy.

And thanks for the welcome.

[Kayenneh]

For being a land of 'freedom', the USA seem to have a lot of issue finding a consensus to what freedom is. I think it's vital that everyone gets to say what they want, given that a good education promoting critical thinking is a given for every citizen. It's when the crazies starts to spout their absurdities and the loonies follow that problems occur, or when the wise ones talk but most are too stupid to understand.

[ComplexityofChaos]

For being a land of 'freedom', the USA seem to have a lot of issue finding a consensus to what freedom is. I think it's vital that everyone gets to say what they want, given that a good education promoting critical thinking is a given for every citizen. It's when the crazies starts to spout their absurdities and the loonies follow that problems occur, or when the wise ones talk but most are too stupid to understand.

I don't think so. Craziness spoken is not the problem. Even a crazy person speaking may cause one to reflect on why one rejects the crazy person's claim. Thus, one walks away from the conversation better for it.

Unfortunately, freedom is not taught in American schools. It's a shame, but true. The schools teach such nonsense as democracy is freedom, when it is anything but. The vast majority of the proponents of freedom are not even known to the average American. Nevertheless, through freedom of speech, their ideas can become known.

[Kayenneh]

Even a crazy person speaking may cause one to reflect on why one rejects the crazy person's claim. Thus, one walks away from the conversation better for it.

Yes, but for every one person who walks away, you usually get 50 who are willing to follow.

[Minimalist]

Hello, C/C

Unfortunately the First Amendment also establishes freedom of religion.

Big fucking mistake by those deist douchebags who wrote the damn thing.

[Nine]

Unfortunately the First Amendment also establishes freedom of religion.

Yeah, freedom of religion always ends up in conflict with other rights.

Welcome ComplexityofChaos

[ComplexityofChaos]

Even a crazy person speaking may cause one to reflect on why one rejects the crazy person's claim. Thus, one walks away from the conversation better for it.

Yes, but for every one person who walks away, you usually get 50 who are willing to follow.

Usually, from what I see, people are wanting to get away from the crazy person. Unless the crazy person happens to be rich, like Donald Trump.

[Angrboda]

The First Amendment, rather than taking a neutral position with respect to such religious beliefs, openly proclaims that these specific beliefs are ridiculous. The First Amendment allows anyone to make any statement that they care to, no matter how insulting the statement may be, with respect to another's religion. This could only be allowed in a nation where the legal system takes the position that blasphemy does not exist. The First Amendment states that anyone who believes that people will go to eternal hell unless they persecute a blasphemer are wrong in their belief.