The Future of Atheism?

[Caecilian]

Our country isn't theocratic. I'd suggest you read the Constitution before making such remarks. We are a majority religious nation, but we don't have some sort of divine rule over the land. If you don't like the people running for office, then assemble and get someone who does represent the view of society as it truly is.

This country was started as a secular nation, and to this day has an overwhelming majority of its citizens as moderates, not religious zealots or fringe groups. I think anyone can believe whatever they want, just as long as they don't force it on me. If we can just coexist without too much strife, we'll be fine. Diversity is how this nation was forged.

The US was certainly founded as a secular nation- no doubt about that. The religious views of the founding fathers varied a great deal. Some were christians (Hamilton, Jay, Patrick Henry), some were deists (John Adams, Jefferson, Madison), and some had views that were an amalgam of christianity and deism (Franklin, Washington). The constitution mandates the seperation of church and state.

Jefferson was an outspoken deist- he didn't mince his words:

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.

In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.

Priests...dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversions of the duperies on which they live.

This guy got elected President- twice. Someone with those kind of views would now be completely unelectable. Sadly, the US has become a much more religious nation, and religion has invaded political life to a degree which would have appalled the founding fathers.

Constitutionally, the US remains secular. But in practice no one can get elected to anything without a public declaration of faith. In practice, the tax exempt status of religious organizations amounts to a huge state subsidy. In practice, one of the two main political parties is to a great degree controlled by religious zealots. And in practice, god is continually invoked as a justification for this policy or that, for attacks on foreign countries (the Iraq War), for the superiority of the US to other nations.

The US isn't a theocracy, but de facto it isn't secular either. Its a country with some theocratic aspects or elements. It isn't Iran (a real theocracy), but nor is it France (a real secular state).