I really wanted to post an entry, but I've got nothing worth talking about and all the memes bore me. So I'm copying and pasting a survey I just took about the "one nation under god" phrase in the pledge. Because hey, that's another way I can reveal myself as a self-righteous theophobe that I've never really touched on. Except in this entry, way back when, one which surprises the hell out of me to reread it now. I know I always say you can't hold me accountable for anything I said more than two weeks ago, but my, there are some shockingly different thoughts there.

Anyway:

1. How do you feel about taking the words "under God" out of the United States Pledge of Allegiance?
I don't feel terribly strongly about the issue. If you ask am I for or against eliminating the phrase, I'm for it. Because a supposedly secular nation should not have the word "god" anywhere, even if it could apply to the Christian, Jewish or Islamic god, because it does not represent ALL religions and it does not represent the sizeable atheist/agnostic/freethought community. But if you ask how strongly I care, not very. There are, obviously, much more pressing matters to attend to. But, I guess, I care enough to fill out a survey about it.

2. Do you believe in God?
No. I don't believe in the Christian god, or the god of any other "revealed" religion. There may be some unknown higher power, but it is unknown and unknowable and not desirous of our worship.

3. Would you agree that the phrase "one nation under God" suggests that our government is subordinate to God? If not, what do you think it literally means?
That's a funny interpretation, but I don't think that's what it means. It means one nation united under the collective belief in "God," protected in this understanding by his power. "Under" isn't exclusively a spatial measure of superior/inferior.

4. Do you believe that our Constitution allows for the government to make such statements?
The Bill of Rights does not allow it, it technically does not. If separation of church and state is to be a cornerstone of our democracy, and it ought to be, then no religious statements should receive any sort of official public endorsement.

5. If you believe in God, how do you feel about people who don't? If you don't believe in God, how do you feel about people who do?
To be perfectly honest, I am annoyed by people who believe in a god and have never questioned their religion, have never tested their beliefs. I can't stand anyone who simply does what they're told without wondering WHY. Those who have explored their faith and remained steadfast have my respect, even though I cannot understand their point of view. But religious zealots annoy me as much as people who slap "Proud to be an American" bumper stickers on their cars without any idea what they're proud of, without any concept of what it means to be a patriot.

6. If you believe in God, what do you think people who don't believe in God think about you? If you don't believe in God, what do you think people who believe in God think about you?
Anyone who is secure in their faith shouldn't bother to think anything of me. I shouldn't be a threat to them. So I hope most don't have much of an opinion and just get on with their own lives. I think, though, many either want to save my soul or condemn me to hell. Many are probably as annoyed with me as I am with them.

7. How will you or others like you really be affected if the words "under God" are permanently removed from the Pledge?
It won't really affect me, no. The pledge would not really be more meaningful to me, as it would only include me in one way that it doesn't at present, without changing any of the other problems I have with reciting it. Put it this way, Thomas Paine had it right on: "The world is my country and to do good is my religion." I pledge unwavering allegiance to no place and no ideology.

8. How will those whose beliefs about God are opposite to yours really be affected if the words "under God" are permanently removed from the Pledge?
They won't really be affected, but I think they'd be more affected by its removal than I'm affected by its presence. It's such an accepted thing (though it's a fairly recent addition) that it would be taken as a slap in the face. But it wouldn't change anyone's life.

9. What if the words remain?
Then we go on as we do. I don't care if they remain. Like I said, I am not all about the pledge with or without the religious indoctrination.

10. Would you describe yourself as liberal, moderate, or conservative?
Liberal. Too liberal for the democratic party. Watch out for me, man. haha...

11. Do you think the Supreme Court will overturn the 9th Circuit Court's decision?
I haven't kept up on it, this is an old survey. Man, this was like a year and a half now, wasn't it? Has the Court heard the case yet? It must be coming up this year. Well... I don't know. On the one hand, it seems so clearly unconstitutional, and yet, the current Court is inclined to allow religious expression. And besides, the Court opens with "God save this court" so they'd have to point the finger at themselves as well, mmm? I could see it swinging either way, and if Scalia recuses himself... it'll be interesting.

12. How important is this issue to you?
Ah, like I said in number one. I'm not up in arms over it; out of all the causes I could devote my time to this isn't the one I'd choose. I feel it is very clear that any religious language is unconstitutional. But it's not really hurting me, so whatever.

13. Do you/did you recite the Pledge in school? If so, how do you/did you feel about people who don't recite the pledge? If not, how do you/did you feel as others were reciting it?
In elementary school I did, because I never really thought about not doing it, and I had no belief system to speak of anyway. In middle and high school the pledge was led very irregularly, and it sort of became an issue of coolness whether or not you said it, not any sort of real statement, and at some point I started just standing up during the pledge and not reciting.

evolver's comment on this survey: The only other thing I'll mention is that at one point, when I was very young, I thought the pledge concluded "...with liberty and justice for all. Amen." And I don't know if I was taught that, or just ironically constructed it on my own, but it amuses me now.