Promoting Irrational Thinking
A couple of days ago, in my post The Andrea Yates Verdict: Making the World Safer for Religious Delusions I discussed how those who encourage others to embrace irrational, religious delusions, share responsibility for the deaths of Andrea Yates’ five children.
Apparently George W. Bush either didn’t read my article or he ignored my message. Imagine that!
Just read his official comments on the 50th Anniversary of our National Motto, “In God We Trust.”
On the 50th anniversary of our national motto, “In God We Trust,” we reflect on these words that guide millions of Americans, recognize the blessings of the Creator, and offer our thanks for His great gift of liberty.
From its earliest days, the United States has been a Nation of faith. During the War of 1812, as the morning light revealed that the battle torn American flag still flew above Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned, “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust!’” His poem became our National Anthem, reminding generations of Americans to “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.” On July 30, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the law officially establishing “In God We Trust” as our national motto.
Today, our country stands strong as a beacon of religious freedom. Our citizens, whatever their faith or background, worship freely and millions answer the universal call to love their neighbor and serve a cause greater than self.
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of our national motto and remember with thanksgiving God’s mercies throughout our history, we recognize a divine plan that stands above all human plans and continue to seek His will.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2006, as the 50th Anniversary of our National Motto, “In God We Trust.” I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
I’d like to repeat a portion of my previous post. The highest ranking public official in our country, the Commander-in-Chief of our military, has just done something analogous to encouraging people to take mind-impairing drugs before they start up a car and drive.
Those who promote religious delusions as a moral good share some responsibility for her crime. She’s ultimately responsible for the choices she made, but I suspect that in her environment, it would have been very difficult to break away from the religious delusions that informed her choices. It’s very difficult for anybody in our society to do that as they will get much condemnation and little support.
This morning many of those guilty parties are relieved that Yates was found innocent.
The bottom line is this: just as we have a responsibility to not impair ourselves with drugs or alcohol before we drive, we also have a responsibility to not impair our thinking by filling our minds with totally irrational ideas before we decide to get pregnant and have children.
And just as the government and society in general should not encourage people to drink before they start up and drive a car, it should not encourage them to engage in irrational, delusional thinking before they start and raise a family.
And speaking of the analogous relationship between taking drugs and embracing religious delusions, did I mention that Mel Gibson, the fundamentalist Catholic-Christian, producer of the religious, box-office blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ, was arrested for driving under the influence in Malibu, CA yesterday?
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