Should an atheist be allowed the full rights of a citizen in America?
919203
Yes, considering the First Amendment of the Constitution gives American citizens the freedom of religion.
393503
I believe everyone has the right to their own beliefs. No one with any human decency has the right to take away that privelage. Of course, if the practices are archaic and dangerous, such as human sacrifice, they may need to be omitted for the time being. But yes, everyone has the right to their own beliefs.
895761
Yes, but it will be more up to individuals to enforce Constitutional standards rather than relying on government intervention.\n\nIn the past, "separation of church and state" was used to defend religious practice of a Christian group from imposition by government. Today it is used to defend secular beliefs from perceived threats to impose Christian dominance.\n\nThe real issue is not "separation of church and state" but "consent of the governed."  Regardless of religious or secular views, no groups or individuals want their "consent" to be violated by an outside group or authority.  So that is the real issue, not freedom of religion but free will in general.\n\nIf we interpret religious freedom to mean free will and right of consent, people should have the right to govern and to be governed as they believe, without infringement on personal security by threat of censorship or oppression, as long as everyone respects the same of others so there is peace and justice.\n\nSo by this interpretation, of religious free exercise as free will, this has always been the struggle of humanity, and will continue to surface again and again until this issue is finally addressed and resolved.  Freedom is no more or less important as it was in the past, but will rise to a higher level of understanding as a universal right that all people require by nature, regardless if they call it religious or political or intellectual freedom.\n\nIt is the same argument, reincarnated over and over, until we establish mutual respect across all institutions and nations.\n\nBy its very nature, "consent of the govern" cannot be imposed by government force, but can only be established by free choice.  \n\nOtherwise laws contradict themselves, as in trying to separate "church and state" when all laws are, in fact, a form of moral code that reflects individual or collective values and beliefs.  Again, the issue behind "religious freedom" is whether or not individuals consent to the standards enforced.
150605
I think we all need to go back and read the Constitution. Most of you who are against Christianity just go off the crap you hear from other people. Read it. You will find no trace of the words "Separation of Church and State". And to the question.... Because If we werent being persecuted we would have reason to doubt the word of God. Jesus who was ultimate as God and everything good was ultimately executed  in this world. Good and Godly things and people will always be persecuted. Yes our founding fathers found this country with the idea that the government wouldnt rule the church. Because that is what they escaped. Unfortunately many people twist and squeeze the actual words of the constitution and threaten them to say "freedom of religion, as long as youre not christian." Atheists are allowed to be atheists at school, work, and play. Minority religions are accepted. But christians...... we have to hide who we are at work, school, and any public facility. The truth is that nearly 87% of America claims christianity, but only around 12-14 percent agrees that Jesus is God. Or that there is an absolute truth. Or that Jesus not only redeems us but reigns over us. We are to take His yoke upon ourselves. Many "christians" have widely accepted the idea of being saved from hell but reject the idea of yielding their lives to His lordship. Sad, sad, tragedy it is. For those are the ones to whom will say "But I have done great works in your name" and He will say "Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you!"......
163124
I suspect your question is rhetorical, and you know the answer is no.  Natural rights are what we have just for being human beings, such as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, AMONG THESE (not all of them) are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.\n\nPrivileges are just that; something which is granted by an authority and can be taken away by that authority.  Name one privilege the U.S. government has granted to all citizens?  The "right" to vote is actually a privilege, since it can be taken away by the government, and is if you are convicted of a felony, if you swear allegiance to another country, probably other reasons.
289670
It's a terrible idea.  The founding fathers had not intentions of there being a nationally endorsed religion.  It would seriously trample the rights of others.  Look at what happened in Iraq, they have a national religion of Islam and a guy was going to be killed for converting to Christianity.  It also is a violation of the first amendment.\n\nQuotes from sources below:\n\n"When the government puts its imprimatur on a particular religion it conveys a message of exclusion to all those who do not adhere to the favored beliefs. A government cannot be premised on the belief that all persons are created equal when it asserts that God prefers some." Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun in the Lee v. Weisman ruling, 1992.\n\n"Thomas Jefferson, as president, wrote a letter to the  Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut  on 1802-JAN-1. It contains the first known reference to the "wall of separation". The essay states in part:\n\n    "...I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State..."\n\nDuring the 1810's, President James Madison wrote an essay titled "Monopolies" which also refers to the importance of church-state separation. He stated in part:\n\n    "Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history."\n\nThe US Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment as if it requires this "wall of separation" between church and state. It not only prohibits any government from adopting a particular denomination or religion as official, but requires government to avoid excessive involvement in religion."
670073
You ask which "should" be the final set of rules to govern how we live in the USA. The clear implication is that you seek a value judgment, rather than a legal analysis. \n\nThe legal analysis is obvious -- the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The Bible is a religious text with no legal authority. \n\nHowever, if you believe that the Bible is the revealed, literal word of the Almighty, then clearly you have no choice but to prefer its dictates to the Constitution or any other man-made law. But, this is only the personal opinion of the believer. There is no object proof of the existence of God, nor can there ever be, because if God were provable by any scientifically valid experiment, God would instantly cease to be supernatural, i.e., cease to be God. \n\nSo, the answer is, that until God returns and demands that we follow His supreme laws, we must follow our own, and hope that our choices in making those laws are sufficiently wise to please the Lord of all hosts. \n\nIf not, then I'm fairly certain He will let each of us know in time.
546504
God has every right in everything. He has a place in the government, in schools , etc . because look at what this country is coming to with all these people wanting God out of the picture. America needs God and as for the question, God did not intend on Man to be with Man or Females to be with Female. It is wrong according to the bible. DOesnt mean I dont have gay friends. I just keep my opinion to myself around them. Just like the ones who dont believe in GOd being in the pledge need to deal with it. Because the people that started this country had the right way of doing it. NOw everyone wants to mess it up. Lets see how far we get without God. This Country is already showing the effects. I cant believe half the things people say about Bush, gay marriage, etc.. its crazy
1117449
Yes, absolutely.  Being American is about freedom and that freedom is about questioning authority too.  I think that people who question the president may be the most patriotic people out there.
810710
In my time in the service, I served alongside many Christians (or at least, that's the faith they claimed on their dog tags). So long as, should it come to that, they are willing to kill the enemy if it is required of them, I have no problem with it.\n\nThere are no atheists in a foxhole.\n\nPersonally, I think that every American man and woman should be required to perform a minimum of four years of military service upon graduation from high school. Though I decided that it wasn't for me, my time in the service did leave me with a far greater appreciation for my freedoms and made me a better person, overall.
1124770
If my history lessons and further study of history are correct the US is a secular nation and its founders believed that no religion should be put above any other religion. Quite the foresight if I might say as they put this provision into the Constitution to protect the country from the various sects of christianity not the various religions in the world. The controversy you state is only a controversy in your head as I could care less about your religion. However, if any religion tries to usurp the US Constitution it is within the rights of any one to question and eventually put a halt to their actions. Christians have no more rights nor less rights than anyone else. So, if you see a problem with someone who doesn't share your religious views you have not read the first amendment properly. Get over it.
341086
People call it the land of the free.. but there is a religous right that is pushing it's agenda on America an is pushing it's morals on America... and I don't think that's right...it's also a bit of a slippery slope... you open up that door of "my Bible says it's wrong, so it's wrong"... then  the next thing you know... a muslim suberb of Detriot says it's the law women in public have to wear birkas or a jewsih suberb says you can't eat pork... I'm just saying be careful what you ask for, because there are a lot of people in America that aren't Christians and if you can make "religous laws" then they will too...\nGranted, some laws that are in place are based on religion... and I think that's a tricky spot too... and while seperation of church and state may not be exactly what the founding fathers had in mind... I think it's a good idea and it protects all of us...
300494
The US is supposed to be about freedom of religion.  Sure, you may get people yelling in your face, but at least you don't get thrown in jail anymore for being different.
655407
Being PROUD to be from this GREAT country, willing to put your life out there,  so we ALL (future people too) can live with all our FREEDOM'S, LIBERTY'S, JUSTICE & OPPORTUNITY..We American's also have freedom of religon, GREAT, you can be Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim who cares which, that's your freedom & you shouldn't be killed for your belief's..I for one, will do anything necessary to keep these privilages for my & all your children & future generation's in AMERICA.....GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!
820182
He should be sworn in using the Bible.  American tradition should not compromise because of someone's religion.  He should compromise.  America should not
758283
Yes, they have every right to condemn such a law. What a person wants to wear is up to a person's personal choices, as long as it levels to decency. That country is violating rights to religious freedom. No one has any right to interfere into other people's faith's.
637883
God doesn't hold the patent to those i'm afraid.\n\nMany atheists are moral & ethical people, so get off cloud 9.\n\nI can do whatever I want, but you know what, I choose not to.  Not out of fear, or god's retribution, but because I don't want to do harmful things.  Isn't that better, I'm not doing it for some distant reward, but simply because I want to.