During his Inaugural address today, Barack Obama acknowledged a growing sect of Americans: Atheists.
“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers…”
Hopefully this in an indicator that he will work to keep religion out of politics. I think it is a tremendous step toward religious tolerance for “non-believers” to be called one of our nation’s strengths. Is Obama an atheist? No, I don’t think so. But his words are in sharp contrast with those of his born-again, “bring ‘em on,” “smoke ‘em out” predecessor.
Obama’s penchant for rational discourse and equality for all made him the logical choice for president among non-believers. Yet, consider all the controversy over his church and pastor during the election. It would be political suicide for any candidate to publicly confirm their atheism, which I think is tragic. This oft-cited 1999 Gallup study highlights the irrational fear Americans have with non-believers. Survey respondents were asked whether they would vote for an otherwise well-qualified candidate who was
A woman (95%)
Roman Catholic (94%)
Jewish (92%)
Black (92%)
Mormon (79%)
Homosexual (79%)
Atheist (49%)
These are disappointing numbers to see more than 225 years since our Founding Fathers drafted a secular constitution. They left God out for a reason, and it wasn’t because they forgot. It was Thomas Jefferson who warned our nation to “Question with boldness even the existence of a God.”
However, with today’s inauguration as very real proof, progress comes with time. It is my belief that within the next 100 years, atheism will lose its negative connotation and come to mean simply being rational.
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