You know how freaky we Americans are about the Constitution? Very freaky, right?
But it’s understandable. This is the founding document of the United States, the piece of paper that CREATED the nation. Every word in it is important. Every word in the Amendments is important. Every word.
There’s a founding document of Christianity, too, isn’t there? If you think about for about 5 seconds, you’ll realize that the Constitution of Christianity is … the Bible.
Oh, yeah. And there are millions, possibly billions of people who will fiercely, staunchly defend it. They claim it is the unerring truth, on history, on science, on morality, on so many other subjects. They will act like it is The Word of God.
… Oh, wait.
But seriously, that’s what the Bible is. Truth, with a capital “T.”
Except when it comes to the ouchy parts. Like, say, the bears that tore up 42 children. Or Lot offering to give his virgin daughters to a howling mob. Or the utter ridiculousness of Genesis — with God creating day and night on the first day, but creating the Sun and Moon on the fourth day. Then it’s all “Oh, that’s a metaphor.”
Here’s the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution:
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; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I’m going to take as gospel (see what I did there?) the bits about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the rights of people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
But that business about Congress making no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof … ?
Fuck it. I’m going to assume that’s just a metaphor.
———————————————
This is post 5 of 12 of Blue Collar Atheist’s Blogathon in support of the Secular Student Alliance. Donate by clicking the “Contribute” link in the SSA ad over in the right column. Or go to the Secular Student Alliance directly.
Or just click this button (It’s the exact color of Pepto-Bismol, isn’t it? Makes me think it’s a way of saying “I’m sick of how powerful religion is in our society, and I want young people to be offered this other choice”) :
