Do you have a problem with the POTUS saying "God bless"

[marym625]

Last edited Fri Jan 23, 2015, 02:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Do you have a problem with the POTUS saying "God bless" after the State of the Union address, or any other speech?

(To the admins of DU Lounge, please let me know if I am violating any TOS and I will self delete. Not sure where this could go and still be seen by many.

19 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, I take issue with it.
	3 (16%)
	No, he should say it.
	1 (5%)
	I don't care one way or the other
	13 (68%)
	No.
	2 (11%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Tobin S.]

1. If it gets locked, re-post it in the Religion group. It's a pretty active group and it's on topic.

[marym625]

3. Thank you

I will do that

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. It's a meaningless convention at this point.

If this particular POTUS failed to do it they'd be all over him so it would be crazy to hand them an "issue".... albeit an idiotic one.

I'm agnostic but I'm not gonna jump out the window if an otherwise progressive ( not that Obama's so progressive) pol does the "godblessamerica" thing.

It's like saying "gezundheit."

[marym625]

4. This is why I'm asking

It truly has nothing to do with President Obama. Just curious what people think. Knowing why they think it is even better.

Thank you

[rurallib]

31. meaningless but done to salve a certain group

few of whom would ever vote for him anyway.
I see it as pandering and now that the pandering is so routine, it will take a hell of a POTUS to break with it.

[rug]

5. How about "No" without adding he should say it?

[marym625]

8. done.

[rug]

17. Thanks.

[marym625]

19. No problem. We aim to please :)

[Arkansas Granny]

6. I see it as a gesture, like wearing the flag pin in his lapel.

Keeps the rwnj contingent off his back.

[Tobin S.]

7. That is probably the case.

We'd never hear the end of it if we had a non-religious president.

[marym625]

9. Could be.

[Ykcutnek]

10. No. This is where I take issue with fellow agnostics/atheists.

We shouldn't make a big deal out of shit like that. It only further stigmatizes us.

[marym625]

11. Thanks for the input

I respect your opinion, as well as everyone's on this.

Frankly, it makes me cringe. But I am truly just curious.

[El Supremo]

12. Rather than "God bless America" he should say:

"We ask God for forgiveness."

[marym625]

13. Okay.

I added just "no" of you want to be in the poll


Thank you

[Wolf Frankula]

14. I Don't Care

I never had a problem when Red Skelton said it either.

Wolf

[marym625]

15. Oh he pissed me off saying that!

KIDDING!

Thanks for the reply

[Wolf Frankula]

52. You Had a Problem With Red Skelton

One of the two finest mimes of the last century? The other was Marcel Marceau, a friend of his.

Wolf

[marym625]

55. I was kidding

Of course.

Red Skelton Slow Motion Tennis Mime:

[progressoid]

16. It's idiotic, but he has to do it. Like wearing a flag pin.

Hopefully, before I die, both of those requirements to be president will no longer be needed.

[marym625]

18. I agree

But highly doubt, in the current religious climate, it will happen before I die.

Thank you

[marym625]

20. At 33 votes, I'm surprised at the answers

Well, surprised at how few object to it.

Not like I think, at this point, it's worth trying to do anything about it. Just surprised

[20score]

21. I think it's an indication of how regressive and reactionary we

Last edited Fri Jan 23, 2015, 07:45 PM - Edit history (1)

are as a nation, that it is almost mandatory; but it's a symptom of a larger problem.

But I would have to put this so far down on my list of things to worry about, that it is fairly meaningless.

[marym625]

22. I agree with everything you said

It irks me every time I hear a politician say "god bless" at the end of speech. Just really rubs me the wrong way. So I was curious what others thought. But I don't think it's worth doing anything about. At least not at this time.

Thanks for your reply, 20Score.

By the way, are you related to FourScore?

[trof]

23. meh

He'd get shit from the repugs if he didn't.
"Godless socialist", etc., ad nauseum
Doesn't bother this atheist.

[marym625]

24. Thank you

I appreciate the reply

[BlueJazz]

25. I take issue with it. The issue is only in my mind. I don't expect the populace to concur.

Our fate depends on our thoughts and actions.

[marym625]

26. Same here.

And both interestingly and well said.

Thank you

[Arugula Latte]

27. It bugs me, but if he didn't I'm sure Fox would make a big issue of it.

"Obama Hates the Invisible Omnipotent Sky Fairy!"

[marym625]

28. I am sure that they would

But at this point in the game, so what?

I'm not saying we should do anything about it. Just, why do we care so damn much what fox and their cohorts do? I honestly think that is part of the problem, we gave them that power by giving a shit.

[Arugula Latte]

46. Yeah, I agree with you.

Believe me, I would absolutely LOVE it if all the politicians who secretly think religion is bullshit would just stop playing the game. And you KNOW there are many of them.

[marym625]

48. I suspect that there are very many

And it would be wonderful if they admitted it. Just wonderful

Thank you

[F4lconF16]

29. I don't know where I stand on this.

On the one hand, I am sick and tired of hearing "God" invoked at every damn political thing in existence.

On the other hand, he has the right to ptactice his religion and say as he feels.

On the other other hand, this is a very important address concerning all of us, not some. It certainly feels as if there is an exclusive club for those who believe. I would prefer him not mention it out of deference to those of us who don't. he is free to practice his religion--please don't shove it in our faces. And to those of you who think that isn't pushing religion on us, see my first statement. It is a political office, and his religion should be private, and not a part of his governance.

[marym625]

30. yes, it is definitely pushing religion on us.

Although I have issues with it being said at all, if he or other politicians are going to say it, they've sure aren't covering everyone they represent with those words

It also let's religion start seeping in elsewhere in politics. Every inch is then turned into a mile. SCOTUS recently decided a political body can pray at each meeting.

As I have said numerous times in this thread, it isn't worth trying to do something about right now. But we have to make sure that line is not crossed any further.

[F4lconF16]

32. You are quite right:

Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile, and use it to oppress the heck out of you.

Agreed that the "bless America" thing isn't worth fighting right now. The SC decisions? Definitely worth fighting. That is a blatant violation of church and state. They can do it on their own time.

[marym625]

33. That decision blew me away

It still does. And the lack of outrage at it truly surprised and frightened me

Just for those that are not familiar with it

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-legislative-prayer-at-council-meetings/2014/05/05/dc142ede-cf9d-11e3-b812-0c92213941f4_story.html

[F4lconF16]

34. Me too. nt

[pipi_k]

35. As an Atheist...

I don't care either way.


The only time I take issue with the phrase "God Bless" is when someone sneezes and spews about a zillion disgusting germ infested droplets of spit into the air...even if it's me who sneezes.

I always say "excuse me".

Don't bless people for spewing sickness.


Otherwise, nah. I don't care.

[marym625]

37. Ha!

There blessing you so the devil doesn't get in. Pretty much what the President and other politicians do when they say it at the end of a speech.

I am really surprised at how many people don't care. If I were devoutly religious I would take issue with it.

I'm talking about just yoi. And I respect your and everyone's opinion on this. Just surprised.

Thank you for the reply. And, just in case you are sneezing, guzundite (or however you spell that)

[pipi_k]

45. What they don't know...

is that the devil is scared shitless of getting inside my nose.


Hell is a virtual paradise compared to what's inside my snotlocker.

[hrmjustin]

36. I hope God blesses this land...

...with more Democrats.

[marym625]

38. Haha!

There ya go! At least that makes sense.

Thank you!

[DeSwiss]

39. Meh.

- He should probably stick to the prepared text though: CREATOR, NATURE'S GOD or DIVINE PROVIDENCE are all Declaration of Independence-approved god names.

[marym625]

40. But none of those words are in the Constitution

How about, "'Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity' to all" instead?

[DeSwiss]

43. Well.....

...it's a close call with ''blessings.'' Seeing how those are normally within the purview of deities or at least those who like to think themselves god-like. It's got that whole Patriarchal-Hierarchical thing going-on with its top-down beneficence idealization. The whole ''Elites Handing Down Blessings to the Great Unwashed'' meme, and like that.

Posterity just smacks of ancestor-worship, so that won't help much either.

If at least Obama had used the god-terms that are found in the DOI, then he could claim both secularization (a great public document enshrined in the nation's Capitol), and religiosity (it mentions supernatural creation ideals and personae involved without getting too specific and pissing anyone off). Because the justifications that the founding fathers needed for telling King George to go take a flying leap -- had to incorporate god-talk into in some way.

It did if they expected poor and/or tenant-farmers to fight and die in a Revolutionary War against the greatest power in the world at the time (a Divine King no less), for land many of whom didn't own any, and for freedoms they didn't and wouldn't have if they won. Freedoms which those same founding fathers didn't intend for them to have after they won said war -- at first (thus the need to Amendments to the Constitution while the ink was still drying on the 1st draft) -- yeah they needed God implied if not stated outright, then as now.

They used all the tricks. They still do. And why not? It's like a ritual response. Like saying ''Amen'' at the end of a commandment, or hearing some other inane ''lifestyle advice.'' It helps to keep the sheeple calmed.

Nope, there's nothing for it. If I had to choose one way or another, then with the FSM/Pastafarians at least you have your beer volcanoes in heaven to look forward to. And the best part is you never get full.




- Otherwise my vote as far a religions go:

[marym625]

44. Oh this should be its own post

I love it! K&R +10000

I just used the "blessing" because it's there. I don't think any kind of god, deity, ghost, flying spaghetti monsters or mythical half man half fish should be used in politics. I don't want any blessings from anyone.

I do, however, want a new vernacular. I am tired of not having a great equivalent to "oh my god" 9th "god damn it" etc.

Love your post here. You truly should make it a post of its own.

Thank you!

[trueblue2007]

41. i do NOT have a problem with President say"God bless" after any other speech

FREEDOM OF SPEECH PEOPLE

[marym625]

42. got it!

Thank you for your reply

[olddots]

47. its like the Flying Nun

Just a bad habit . Sorry

[marym625]

49. Haha!

Good one! I liked it

[DFW]

50. I don't care for it, but I put up with it.

I find it forced and contrived, like wearing the American flag in a lapel hole. I am not so insecure about my identity as an American that I need to have a flag in my lapel hole, nor should my president be. I know where I come from, fer cryin' out loud.

[marym625]

53. Great answer

Well said. Thank you

[marym625]

54. That would be so much fun!

I love it!

Thank you!