This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Why is the use of the word God considered offensive? Are christians the only people who use the word God? This article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, tells the sad story of a man who offered comfort to the families of veterans and was fired for using the words God and bless. This is insane. What were they thinking?

Hey Steve,

I don't think that the use of the word "god" is an issue of being offensive. Nor do I think it's being politically correct by excluding it. I think it's an issue of separation between church and state.

As far as the Vet using the term "god bless" in a non-secular cemetary. it's pretty stupid that he can't say it. But, I guess we have to be consistent.

P

Actually, I think many people do consider God offensive when used. Separation fo Church and State was meant to minimize the influence of church over the State and keep religious freedom. It has become a witchhunt of sorts that has gone beyond all reason. Let it be, there are worse things someone could say to you than "God Bless You." What means have the churches to protect themselves from the State? times have changed since the founding of the Republic and the threats have been reversed. Itis foolish to think that you can separate a person from their beliefs simply by forbidding them to express them. Lieberman constatnly referred to God i his speeches during the 2000 election and this guy can;t even say it at his part-time job! Sorry, wandering. It's frustrating though. We all need to relax a little.

I agree. Certain rediculous watchdog groups have gone way overboard trying to limit and eliminate the use of the word God in public forums. People need to stop being so overly sensitive and also stop looking for stupid causes to use to promote their own agendas.

Steve & Elondre,

Again, I see your points, but as we become a more diverse society, we have to be more sensitive to it. There are more and more people who don't believe in the Christian God we're clearly talking about or any god for that matter.

You're right that the separation of church and state is to guard against the church's influence over state.

I'm not familiar with too many religions. I know the commandments are Judeo-Christian, but not sure about Muslim. That being said, imagine being a Muslim who walks into a STATE or FEDERAL courthouse and he sees the 10 Commandments posted on the wall. I would imagine that the environment is now exclusive of him and perhaps he can infer some sort of hostility because he may not adhere to the commandments in those terms. Granted in its truest form, the 10 commandments are a good set of rules to live by.

I don't think it's an agenda to wipe any god out of the minds of people, but we need to become more tolerant of those who don't hold the same beliefs. Anything that's not meant for a general population should be kept private.

I can see the issue of having one religion's icons and ideas represented in public buildings, but this article referred to something completely different and benign. There should not be any issue.

Too many people misinterpret the "separation of church and state." The constitution actually says the there is to be no "goverment sponsored religion." A government employee saying he/she is a christian, muslim, jew, etc. or saying God bless you is not government sponsored religion. It is the view of an individual, expressing his/her support of that person, not of their God. It is the main philosphy of the founders of this country that individauls have the right to freedom of religion, among others and those rights were giving through christian compasion. It is a fault of current liberal thought that mention of God is evil, when, in fact, their rights are based on the teachings of Jesus of compasion and exceptance. Why do we need to deny this? I don't want others to except my religion as gospel. I don't want the government to sponser it. I just want it recognized that the accepting nature of my religion is the reason this country exists and it is not going to be the fall of it. People who look at Pat Roberts and Jerry Falwell and the ultra right christian collation as representative of most christians are as dumb as people who look at Bin Laden and consider him representative of Islam. Everyone should have the right to say Merry Christmas, God Bless You or what ever you feel comfortable with and let other do the same. Don't limit my speech to your comfort level. That is censorship and PC crap at its worst.

__________________
Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

Good points Jason. People tend to spend too much time looking for battles to fight. In the end, they fight stupid and worthless battles that do nothing to improve our society or our lives. They simply grandstand to serve their own egos and selfishness. God Bless you Jason! :wink:

Yes! People often lose sight of the fundamentals of an argument and get off on tangents. Instead of celebrating how far we've all come, they continue to want more. Augusta National comes to mind. I wonder if their isn't something a little more deserving of the attention of women's rights groups. I know not all of them are in support of this, but the ones that are should think about trying to help women's right in say, the middle east, instead of a country club. Not being a member of a country club, stoned to death for getting raped. (said while making the my hand act as a scale.) Which needs more attention?

And God Bless You Steve.

__________________
Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

Kind of makes you wonder how genuine the people who lead these groups really are. Is it the cause or the power that is really driving them?

At the same time, is PC used as a tool to leverage more advantages for one group or another? Is it going away or is it still as rampant as ever?