Illinois sheriff puts "In God we Trust" on all his police cars

[CathyA]

Here's the article from the county in Illinois where it happened.

http://www.register-news.com/news/sh...21c25621e.html

[Ultralight]

All the atheists I know are agnostics. Myself included.

I am agnostic because I do not know if a god does or does not exist because I cannot prove a negative. Atheism is my opinion on the issue.

[freshstart]

Well, that raises the question, does believe in "God" constitute a religion? If so, does non-belief in God constitute a religion?

it doesn't matter how you slice it, God is God, believe what you want but he does not belong in public governmental places. Who cares if people who believe in God are religious and it makes no matter whether one believes atheism is a religion or not. Like Ultra said "is off a tv channel?" All of us, religious or not, should not have to accept God in government. And I do think it is ridiculous to replace "protect and serve" with anything else, that's what you want in a police officer, that is their belief and career objective. The only place in police actions for God is up to the individual who believes in him and prays privately.

[Ultralight]

it doesn't matter how you slice it, God is God, believe what you want but he does not belong in public governmental places. Who cares if people who believe in God are religious and it makes no matter whether one believes atheism is a religion or not. Like Ultra said "is off a tv channel?" All of us, religious or not, should not have to accept God in government. And I do think it is ridiculous to replace "protect and serve" with anything else, that's what you want in a police officer, that is their belief and career objective. The only place in police actions for God is up to the individual who believes in him and prays privately.

It'd be a better nation if Protect and Serve was focused on a lot more...

[Kestra]

All the atheists I know are agnostics. Myself included.

I am agnostic because I do not know if a god does or does not exist because I cannot prove a negative. Atheism is my opinion on the issue.

I agree with you as far as personal philosophy. But the downside of atheism/agnosticism not being a "religion" is that then it isn't a protected right. If you are religious, you can be entitled to certain things (which I'm completely fine with - I think religious rights should be protected if no one is being harmed), but my lack of religion doesn't entitle me to anything.

Though this is purely a thought-exercise for me as it's been a while since I've felt infringed upon. I did dislike the pressure to participate in Christmas activities at my past workplace. Somehow, many people now seem to see Christmas as a secular holiday, or celebrated by most people of any religion, and I do not like that. I am not Christian; I don't celebrate Christmas.

[Ultralight]

I think (and I realize this is my opinion) that I should have a right to freedom from religion. In the US there is a group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation that advocates for this.

In the US it is unlikely that an out atheist will ever be elected president. We atheists are often afraid to come out of the closet because we could get ill treatment at work, in hospitals, in family gatherings, or various other public and private social settings.

I am "out" to everyone but I know people who cannot be because it could cost them their job or a promotion and things like that.

[Kestra]

I think (and I realize this is my opinion) that I should have a right to freedom from religion. In the US there is a group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation that advocates for this.

In the US it is unlikely that an out atheist will ever be elected president. We atheists are often afraid to come out of the closet because we could get ill treatment at work, in hospitals, in family gatherings, or various other public and private social settings.

I am "out" to everyone but I know people who cannot be because it could cost them their job or a promotion and things like that.

That is so hard for me to imagine, and I agree it's not right at all. At least in my social circles it isn't a big deal to be atheist. I can't imagine knowing or caring what the Prime Minister's religion is. There are much bigger issues. So there's pressure in some situations to be (or at least fake being) religious, but rarely outright discrimination against non-religious people. And that would generally be in obvious situations - like applying to work for a church or something.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I did dislike the pressure to participate in Christmas activities at my past workplace. Somehow, many people now seem to see Christmas as a secular holiday, or celebrated by most people of any religion, and I do not like that. I am not Christian; I don't celebrate Christmas.

then they can just call them holiday activities or "winter activities" and problem solved. The winter party is usually called the "holiday party" or the "winter party" anyway. It sucks enough that only half the office goes (no one really wants to spend their free time as well, with their coworkers I guess)

If a religious belief or lack thereof costs a promotion that's probably a lawsuit waiting to happen (like racial discrimination hard to prove though even when it exists).

[Ultralight]

That is so hard for me to imagine, and I agree it's not right at all. At least in my social circles it isn't a big deal to be atheist. I can't imagine knowing or caring what the Prime Minister's religion is. There are much bigger issues. So there's pressure in some situations to be (or at least fake being) religious, but rarely outright discrimination against non-religious people. And that would generally be in obvious situations - like applying to work for a church or something.

Canada is a very different nation than the US.

Many (most?) Americans are a superstitious, war-like people with reptilian brains and a massive sense of entitlement.

Canadians are polite and share an ethos of social cohesion.

[CathyA]

Here's a good letter from a man who lives locally in this county, who is against changing the motto.

http://www.register-news.com/opinion...b5a7183d2.html