12.04.2007

Take this to its logical conclusion...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An atheist pleaded with a federal appeals court Tuesday to remove the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency, saying the references disrespect his religious beliefs.

"I want to be treated equally," said Michael Newdow, who argued the cases consecutively to a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He added that supporters of the phrases "want to have their religious views espoused by the government."

...

In describing the historical context for use of the word "God," the government cited the Declaration of Independence, which states that all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."

If he wins, we can expect to see this:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An atheist pleaded with a federal appeals court Tuesday to remove the words "Creator" from the Declaration of Independence saying the reference disrespect his religious beliefs...

The rights are unalienable because they have been endowed by the Creator - the argument usually begins (and ends) like this - why do we have rights? Because the creator gave 'em to us. You can't argue against that.

BUT if no creator gave us rights, then where did they come from? Not from me... nor would I trust you to give them.