The Atheist Mama

Just when I thought this particular ad campaign was fading into well-deserved obscurity, it has returned with a renewed vigor and vitality. Meet Bob. Bob is a pitch man for, well, pitching tents as we say in the States. Because he’s so very, very happy about his pharmaceutically-induced erections, he can’t stop grinning like a mental patient every waking hour of the day. Even worse than his insipid smile, however, is the diabolically monotonous whistling throughout the entire commercial which very nearly qualifies as a crime against humanity.
Are there commercials that bother you as much as this one bothers me? (Yes, I know I can change the channel. And I do. I just don’t understand why so many people find this entertaining. ) If so, tell us about them.

–Allen

I recently wrote a letter to the NC school board as well as our house representative and senators concerning a sign that is prominently displayed in my children’s public schools. The sign is a framed poster reading, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The letter follows. I will be sure to post the replies I receive…

I am a resident of Lincoln County North Carolina. I have two school age children that attend public schools here. It has come to my attention that in both of my children’s schools there is a framed sign reading, “In God We Trust.� This slogan on display in a public institution of education highly offends me. Not only do such references foster oppression and discrimination they are unconstitutional.

I realize that this motto was adopted by congress in 1956, however this does not make it right or just. Please note this is also the congress that launched communism witch-hunts and trampled the civil rights of numerous people. This antiquated slogan symbolizes one of many injustices forced upon a religious and culturally diverse nation.

This nation is comprised of people from all walks of life. It is their right to live the life they seek free of religious subjugation. Our constitution grants us freedom of religion. Thomas Jefferson speaks eloquently of this freedom in respects to a wall between church and state. This separation of church and state is vital to the livelihood of our great nation.

Ask yourself how could this slogan on display in a public school affect a child of a non-Christian or Jewish upbringing? A Wiccan child prays to a Goddess, Buddhist honor Buddha, Muslims pray to Allah, we may even have those that still believe in Zeus or Thor. How about the family that does not believe in a deity? We cannot assume that all honor the God of Abraham or any other supernatural being. To ask them to do so goes against the very fundamentals this nation was built upon.

Schools are a place to nurture the mind, an institution that embraces all equally. The subject of God and religion is a private matter to be discussed in the confines of one’s home or religious institution. Human history is deeply scarred and stained with blood shed in the name of God and religion. The issue of religion, forced worship and subjugation are among the deepest rifts in the fabric of this nation. To include such a volatile and potentially oppressive subject in our educational system is doing children and this nation a deep disservice. Our government and all government operated institutions are supposed to be secular so that Americans can be theist or not with out fear of oppression and discrimination.

It is time to step up correct the wrongs that have been visited upon this nation and its constitution. This is our home; it is enriched by diversity and opportunity. Please don’t take this for granted. We need to learn to respect one another and to keep our religious dogmas out of public schools and other government run institutions in order to maintain our rights and liberties and create an environment in which we all can flourish. These signs need to be removed from our schools for the sake of freedom. God does not belong in our schools any more than the government belongs in our churches.