Originally posted by Spitter
Yeah, I know this old saw gets brought up anytime an atheist actually has the temerity to challenge religious discrimination and bogotry. Actually, atheism is only a religion in the sense that is is as constitutionally protected as any religious belief (I'd have to look up the court cite if you want it.). In other words, non-belief is protected, which means that according to our laws, the first amendment does indeed offer freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; "
Cheers,
Spitter
I would consider the choice to not believe in a higher power just as much of a leap of faith as the choice to believe in a higher power, therefore making it very much a religion.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; "
Translation- "Congress will not endorse any one religion. There will be no official religion of the United States." Nowhere in the Constitution is there verbiage of a ban on all government acknowledgment of the possibility of a higher power, and doing so makes atheism the official religion of the United States.