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You're right, of course---but if you want examples of (in most cases fairly minor) transgressions, there's a list of recent ones. Looking at that list makes me glad that things aren't nearly as bad as they could be. Still, having to try not to look odd sitting through a teacher-led prayer at a public high school graduation (personal experience, two years ago) is not pleasant. And niether is hearing the president talk about the "bridge between church and state".

The linked article quote Duane Gish, one of the premier proponents of Creationism. Before anyone puts too much stock in what he has to say, it should be noted that Gish has a record of misrepresenting facts.

TheFrood

You are correct. The data about the demographics of Bible literalism are pretty discouraging: between 32 and 40 percent of Americas subscribe to a literal reading of the Bible, versus 7 percent of the British. There's other interesting data at that link. What's most striking is that American belief in creationism is around 45 percent for most of the population, but only at 5 percent for scientists.

In comparision, in England, only 5% of the population is creationist.

I've read that about forty percent of Americans believe in creationism rather than evolution; that statistic specifically excludes believers in theistically-guided evolution, too. I'm inclined to suspect that the vast majority of such Believers are in fly-over country. Interestingly, only 5% of scientists hold that belief - I would presume, too, that those scientists worked in fields such as chemistry or other domains entirely free of data relating to speciation or life.

Hyacinthus said: What kind of lesson is it for her to learn, that a federal court has decided that she doesn't even have to _hear_ something she doesn't like, or that her father doesn't like?

I'm reminded of the imbroglio in San Diego a few years ago, when some atheist group or other tried to get the Mt. Soledad cross torn down. I could respect their arguments, and yet still think, "What a bunch of yahoos! It's a cross. There are lots of crosses around. Deal with it."

I'll donate my own money, which after this case is sealed, will be taken to court as unconstitutional for having that fictional character on it too!

Here's some history on "God" and money.

The Qu'ran is about as intact as the bible.
Which is to say not very.

Oh, really? That's a mighty interesting way of looking at it.

Let's go look at what the American Atheists say about it:

You Have Another Freedom

Dear friend...

We often hear that Americans have "freedom of religion." You have another freedom, though -- freedom from religion, and from paying heavy taxes so religious organizations and churchgoers in the United States can benefit from your tax payment!

Atheism is, according to them, "freedom from religion". Sounds like you're off-base, sir.

Cheers,

An AC in Europe

Never mind that the pagans stole it from the astronomers in the first place! Although admittedly back in them days one didn't know a priest from an astronomer nearly so well... kind of like that Asimov "Foundation" quote (misquote?) "Any advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

An interesting article on the solstice. And a happy longest/shortest day of the year to all! (Yes, I know I'm late by a few days, but so is this article... *grin*)

You might be able to pull it off and get federal funding for the "social service" of copying digital video.

How about this evidence? I grant you that this source could be considered biased. (See below for another source).

In what some describe as a blatant move to squelch criticism of its religion and achieve a media monopoly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being linked to an effort to seize control of Salt Lake City's only privately owned, "secular" daily newspaper, the Salt Lake Tribune. That would give the Mormon Church a virtual lock on the two papers now published in the state capital; the LDS already owns the afternoon Deseret News, which also publishes a Sunday morning edition.

Players in the breaking story include Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch who this past week was accused of impropriety in the case, and the giant AT&T corporation which through a series of financial divestitures and acquisitions, ended up in control of the Salt Lake City Tribune. Following initial reports that the LDS was secretly attempting to find what has been described by the New York Times as a "backway to exercise editorial control," Mormon officials have been frantically trying to deny any involvement.

The Salt Lake Tribune's managers are urging the newspaper's owner, AT&T, to honor contracts they believe will thwart a three-year effort by the Mormon church-owned Deseret News to acquire The Tribune's parent company or a controlling interest in the agency that handles advertising, promotion and circulation for both newspapers.

The complex maneuvering surrounding the future of Utah's largest daily newspaper, conducted in the privacy of boardrooms and attorneys offices and at one point involving Sen. Orrin Hatch, carries large implications in a state where around 70 percent of residents are Mormon and The Tribune is viewed by many as an independent voice.

For additional 'evidence' from the secular Salt Lake Tribune, try the links on this page. The evidence shows that the LDS 'church' is manuvering to control all print media in Utah. It is obvious to me that this type of behavior illustrates the point in my previous post.
--
"In the land of the brave and the free, we defend our freedom with the GNU GPL."

What freedom from religion sounds like

I think that the original poster was responding to recent pro-religion stances by those like Joe Lieberman.

Sorry, but it says God on our dollers

But that happened in the 1950's as an overreaction to the scare of Russian atheism. That's when "under God" was added to the Pledge of allegiance as well - hardly framers' intent there.

ten commandments in the supreme court

Even that is a pretty quirky bit of influence from the religious right that's just loaded with absurdities.

What freedom from religion sounds like

I think that the original poster was responding to recent pro-religion stances by those like Joe Lieberman.

Sorry, but it says God on our dollers

But that happened in the 1950's as an overreaction to the scare of Russian atheism. That's when "under God" was added to the Pledge of allegiance as well - hardly framers' intent there.

ten commandments in the supreme court

Even that is a pretty quirky bit of influence from the religious right that's just loaded with absurdities.

but he is a pretty conservative gay

I always applaud people who support conservative ideas despite the persecution they've received from the "religious right". IMO, they've been the real downfall of the conservative movement. They alienate people who might otherwise support conservative core beliefs of smaller government.

As an atheist, it really pisses me off when Republicans want to do stupid shit like posting the ten commandments.

However, it pisses me off more when Democrats try to take more of my hard-earned money.

Regarding atheism (part of the minority religions question), he has come forward against the concept of freedom FROM religion.

LIEBERMAN AGAIN CLAIMS "NO FREEDOM FROM RELIGION" IN NOTRE DAME ADDRESS: CITES JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF AMERICA

YUO = FAGOT
I have proudly posted this with my +1 bonus as an example of how willing I am to prove to you that you are stupid.

Because there is no proof that Jesus ever existed, it is imperative that you stop putting your religious adgenda out for the world to see.

Thank you, and I will most certainly appreciate this to be moderated to both Offtopic and Troll. Overrated does not apply because this sure as fuck won't be moderated up.

You, sir, make the baby "Jesus" cry.

Recently, there was a lot of discussion over a University of Kansas medical school researcher (with 21 years at the institute and a host of international accolades) who was dismissed without cause. Officially, his work "no longer fits with the University's mission". He is, however, a noted freethought writer and has organized a number of conferences and colloquia at the school dealing with religious pseudoscience and other such topics, in opposition to the many "Religion and Medicine" events the school has hosted. Here is one of many articles.

A fitting article for this thread...

RELIGION, HYPNOSIS, AND MUSIC: AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE