Atheists have granite monument installed at Florida Courthouse

[SFC Ollie]

A Eurobarometer poll in 2005 found that only 16% of the Estonian population believed in God. With this number, Estonia hit the bottom of the list. However, at the same time more than half the population (54%) believed in some sort of spirit or life force. Thus it could be claimed that 70% of the Estonian population are believers, at least in some sense of the word. Professor Grace Davie's description of the British religiosity as "believing without belonging" seems to fit to the Estonian context as well.

Is Estonia really the least religious country in the world? | Ringo Ringvee | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk


Have fun........

 

[National Socialist]

I would love to go...

 

[Cowman]

I'm not an overly religious man, but I frankly don't get why atheists get so butt hurt over the Ten Commandments sitting in front of the court house. I fail to see how it's harming any of them. The religious meanings aside, "thou shalt not kill," "thou shalt not steal," etc. seem to be a pretty good way to live one's life. Why is this so harmful.

Furthermore, it seems the people that started this aren't even local so I can understand why the local population holds resentment towards them over this.

Because religion doesn't belong ANYWHERE near law/politics/education etc...By it being in front of a court house the state is in essence endorsing religion.

No it doesn't. The separation states that government shall not be DEVOID of religion just that we will have no State sanctioned religion (thank you founders!). Get your facts straight.

I don't think you understand what Separation means.

 

[Kondor3]

Maybe you should take a second look at your money: "In God We Trust" .

 

[Kondor3]

Or the opening announcement of the United States Supreme Court itself:

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When the Court is in session, the 10 a.m. entrance of the Justices into the Courtroom is announced by the Marshal. Those present, at the sound of the gavel, arise and remain standing until the robed Justices are seated following the traditional chant: "The Honorable, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!"

The Court and Its Procedures - Supreme Court of the United States

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[dblack]

Maybe you should take a second look at your money: "In God We Trust" .

Too bad they didn't go with Franklin's suggestion: "Mind your business"

 

[Kondor3]

Or the opening prayer at each session of the US Senate by the Senate's own elected official Chaplain:

"...The Chaplain of the United States Senate opens each session of the United States Senate with a prayer, and provides and coordinates religious programs and pastoral care support for Senators, their staffs, and their families. The Chaplain is appointed by a majority vote of the members of the Senate on a resolution nominating an individual for the position. The three most recent nominations have been submitted based on a bipartisan search committee although that procedure is not required..."

Chaplain of the United States Senate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Kondor3]

Or the opening prayer at each session of the US House of Representatives by the House's own elected Chaplain:

"...The Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives is one of the officers of the United States House of Representatives. The House cites the first half of Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5 in the United States Constitution as giving it the authority to elect a Chaplain, "The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers".

The office of the Clerk of the House explains "The other officers have been created and their duties defined by the rules of the House, which also are made pursuant to the authority of the Constitution, hence one of the rules prescribes the duties of the Chaplain."

In addition to opening proceedings with prayer, the Chaplain provides pastoral counseling to the House community, coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains, and arranges memorial services for the House and its staff. In the past, Chaplains have performed marriage and funeral ceremonies for House members..."

Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Kondor3]

And, of course, the Supreme Court has upheld these connections between Government and Religion-at-Large time-and-again, in the face of serious challenges.

 

[Kondor3]

It's also a good bet that we'll find this same sort of modest connection to Religion-at-Large extant in most other levels of government as well... throughout the rest of the Federal tier, down to the State level, and counties and townships and municipalities.

This 'connection' does not impose Religion upon anyone nor does it impose a particular 'flavor' of Religion upon anyone; it merely acknowledges that belief in a godhead is woven into the fabric of society and our traditions and culture and recognizes that connection without allowing it to dominate our civic affairs and governance.