What is the point of Atheist Activism?

[Eilonnwy]

The US was not founded on Christian principles but it was founded on theism. The Declaration of Independence says, "All men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights." Having a national day of prayer doesn't violate our principles as long as we aren't told to pray to a specific god or in a specific manner.

The Declaration of Independence is not the part of the US Government, it was a colonial document. You have to do better than that if you want to back up your claim. The Constitution clearly states it's a document based on people. Hence, "We the people". The first amendment lays the groundwork for separation of Church and state by letting people be free to worship, but not governing that worship. Lastly, read the Treaty of Tripoli

Here, I'll quote the relevant bit.

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Signed by the president, ratified by congress.

As for the National Day of Prayer, it's simple. Not everyone believes in God, not even some religious types. By endorsing a day of prayer to "God" you are excluding a vast number of people who either don't believe, believe in Gods (notice the S). People can believe and pray or not believe and not prayer however and whenever they want. The Government should have no say, whatsoever.

The real issue concerning gay marriage is not whether gays should have the right to marry but what constitutes marriage. The belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is not an exclusively Christian idea but has always been the norm in all cultures and religions. If two people of the same sex want to live together as if they are married there is no law prohibiting them from doing so but they don't have the right to demand that the government to approve their relationship. (Of course they are violating God's laws and will have to answer to him but that isn't anything the government should get involved in.)

Marriage used to be a contract, selling off the woman to a man. Marriage used to be a government thing and had nothing to with religion. Marriage between whites and blacks used to be illegal. The "tradition" argument is pathetic at best. Tradition doesn't give you the right to trample on human rights. Why not bring slavery back, hell, it was "tradition". e_e

I agree with you completely on this issue but I suspect my reasons for doing so are different from yours. The Bible teaches that only God has the right to judge someone's motives so the government is usurping a right that belongs to God.

Yeah, I think sin is bullshit.