discrimination of atheists

[eppie]

Not religious.

-"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Many presidents have added the phrase "so help me God," as is required by law for other Federal oaths.

Do you think that anyone taking a presidential oath without those words would dare stand for reelection? Upon what document do presidents take their oath? (Hint: it is not the Federal Register.)

In looking into this I was a bit surprised to learn that "In God we trust" is actually the official motto of the United States.

In the Netherlands we also used to have 'god be with us' written on our guilder coins. (just like in the US). This changed not because we wanted to change it but because we got the euro of course.


@fit: yes in Holland we have some similar type of laws. Eventhough we have always been a very pluriform society, christian political parties have often been majority or in coalitions with other parties that didnot find changing these laws very important (because they are actually never enforced after one case in the 60s I believe.
With the upcoming anti islam sentiment, and scandals involving christian institutions there seems to be a majority to remove these laws finally.

Anyway, even in Holland it doesn't help being atheist. (eventhough it is not so bad as in the US). This is the reason I started this thread after discussions we used to have before with kandrathe.
This document nicely sums up what problems atheists face in different parts of the world and it is good to realize this when religious groups start complaining again about that they are discriminated.