Obama wants to invoke God during inauguration oath

It's his inauguration oath, wouldn't that violate his freedom of speech & religion? He's not asking everyone to believe God exists, he's just asking for little help from upstairs.

atheiests aren't taking the oath are they? when they get a president elected they can change it if they like...

This kind of militant atheism does little to help the cause of atheists in our culture. An atheist myself, I find nothing wrong with the phrase "so help me god" in the oath. It is merely an historical artifact, and has little significance. The important thing is that Obama's approach to government, unlike that of Bush, is based on reason, not on revealed truth. The defeat of Republicans in 2008 must be partially attributable to a repudiation of faith-based government -- the overemphasis of religion in politics. This is best seen as a vote to preserve separation of church and state. With that in mind, the inclusion of "so help me god" might seem like a step backwards, but Obama is not foolish enough to alienate a huge segment of the population by excluding it. The important thing is how he governs, not the words in the oath of office.

This from people that argued so vehemently that Obama was a Christian. He is the Messiah isn't he?

so much for free speech, right? The athiest group may practice their right to frre speech to the extent of attempting to dictate what the man may say, but he isn't allowed to invoke his belief in a higher power? That's craziness.

1. "Militant Atheism", hmm? I don't know about that. Roberts was arguing for a secular government, one that does not preference one religious belief over another. I know how it comes off to the majority, but when you really think about it, the government gives obvious preference to Christianity in it's mentions of god all over the place including government speeches, our money, etc.

2. Roberts wasn't arguing that the constitution says "separation of church and state"- what the FIRST AMENDMENT says is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". The argument follows that involving God, particularly the monotheistic god of Christianity, in our government is a violation of that amendment.

3. Atheists, including the ones filing this law suit, DO RESPECT OBAMA'S CHOICE to have god in the wording. From the article: " Obama possesses rights as an individual that allow him to express religious beliefs.

"If he chooses to ask for God's help, I'm not going to challenge him," Newdow said. "I think it's unwise.""

much ado about nothing - those folks desperately need to get some hobbies

Uh oh, someone is going to use the name of an entity others don't believe exists! Flee! Scurry!

I must comment on this situation.America is great country and is now a great leader it should of been years ago.By placing "so help me God" at the end of the swearing in oath, states bravely and boldly that all power and authority belongs to him.

Also it states that the president is a humble and gracious person not saying I,I,I but asking for both wisdom, understanding and good judgement in these uncertian economic times.

Iran and Iraq boldly declare their God as Allah why cant America.So it is an extremely good jesture to actually state that phrase.

For crying out loud! Doesn't anyone see all the discussions this is causing? On current alone, people have already brought up the Constitution. Even though Obama is not asking for everyone to believe in God, he shouldn't say it during the Inaguration. That'll kick off his term with all the U.S. atheists against him.

#
The phrase "Separation of Church and State" first appeared in letters from the Danbury Baptist Association to Thomas Jefferson in 1802.
The whole wording was "a wall of separation between church and state" which lead to the short-hand for the Establishment Clause that we use today: "Separation of church and state."
The letter was the subject of intense scrutiny by Jefferson, and he consulted a couple of New England politicians to assure that his words would not offend while still conveying his message: it was not the place of the Congress or the Executive to do anything that might be misconstrued as the establishment of religion.
(http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html)

Thats the back story, just wanted to get that out there so people where clear where the phrase came from.
Technically both sides are wrong and right. No, it is not in the Constitution, but it is the same basic principle : Government shall not tell a person s/he cannot practice her/his religion, but, Government (Well, technically FEDERAL Government) cannot and will not have a state lead religion.
It never specifically says that one cannot believe in God and be in Government, nor does it say that one must believe in God to be in Government. It does not say that you cannot pray to God, etc...
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I still don't really understand what is going on...The American Humanist Association doesn't want him to say "So Help Me God" but agree to his right of Religion? I guess their reasonings are confusing for me. If I want to stand on a busy Chicago street corner, stand on a soap box and say to everyone "I believe in God" I can do so because of my freedom of speech. I am in no way claiming the passer-by must believe in my God, only that I believe in my God. It seems that Obama wants to do the same basic thing, and i personally do not see this as a way of breaking the first amendment.
Perhaps I do not understand what the American Humanist Association means, if someone does, please explain it to me...

I'm an atheist, and I think its perfectly fine. I would like it less if he was saying something relative to "So God please have your way with this country" or anything concerning the country, or governing it.

He's just asking for help from where he gleans strength. It's personal to him, he's not applying it to the country here.

But which God?

My God is the only one, and since he/she/it is the combination of reason and infinite knowledge beyond the capability of our human ant brains to understand, I have no idea how he is going to try and explain this deeply complex concept to the masses of sheep in such a short and confined time period.

Hmmm...

Oh, he's just going to end it with "so help me God"?

Well, appealing for assistance to infinite sources probably can't hurt at this point. It's the sheep's definition of God that is the problem.

This is HIS party. Who cares if he "invokes" God.

This fact was obvious from the get go. Obama and religion go hand in hand. He's never tried to hide that.

For all the Obama haters because he is a secret Muslim, in your face. Don't forget he pals around with terrorist. That one was really funny, but they still used it.

I'm still hoping he'll throw in a little "Allah Akbar" to give some of the neo-cons a heartattack

Maybe his god is not so bad- Obama is the chosen one- the next Messiah if you will. His god "that one" got him in office? Never saw any Atheist Presidents, or were there any?

wow i guess hes not completely moraless

I can't really get my head around why this is such a big deal. It is the president-elect's choice to say "so help me God" or not. Their inclusion of God is only a reflection of their personal beliefs, not the governments. What's wrong with our President having faith?

My goodness, he's a Christian, let him invoke God if he wants.

good for him

Wait a minute. Was it Obama who didn't want to hold his hand over his heart during the national anthem? Ha. ha. Everyone should look up George Carlin's comedic satire on this subject or view it on HBO at night.