Why does it seem every politician has to say "thank you and God Bless you"

at the end of every speech??? :shrug:

"Thank you - God bless you - and let's win this fight!"

This is from Phil Angelides, the very liberal democrat running for Governor in California!

I just noticed it on a transcript and it got me going again.

If I did not believe in God, I know I wouldn't want to hear someone asking for God to bless me.

I don't know why this bothers me so much except for the fact it sounds so friggen Republican.

Are Democrats saying God Bless you because they're afraid they'll be open to criticism?

I for one wish I didn't have to hear it so often....mainly because the GOP throws the God thing around all the time.

And yea, I can't stand God Bless America either.

What a terrible American I am ;)

into consideration that they are misled and at least acknowledging him. Personally I don't waste my time with it since I'm one of those people who believe in what I can see and touch.

Religion and belief is intriging to me because I just don't have it. Look at it this way, if you worked for a boss that you never saw or heard from and were never discplined for slacking off or not doing your job -- would you blindly have faith that he/she was watching with approval as you busted your ass for him/her.

Not me...I'd be doing tequila shots and hanging from the ceiling fan. ::Heres a shot to blind fools and blind faith::

or "God bless you" violate the seperation between church and state?

The "state" is a place on the planet, the people and everything on it. The "state" is made up of matter and life.

The church deals in the world of make believe and fantasy. It is a world of imaginary sky-people and faith in the make believe.

To say "god bless you" (read "god bless the state") implies that some imaginary sky-person is a "higher" power and thus it's will should and can be imposed via it's "blessing?" many times superseding logic and reality.

Sneezy and Dopey?

etc. and Democrats are trying to prevent Republicans from having a lock on God.

None of them really need to do it. It is very tiring that the Republicans seem to control the debate so much. Why do they always get to go on the offensive?

I guess because the lowest common denominator tends to win. Like whoever resorts to violence gains temporary control.

and usually pretty meaningless. The more solemnly its said, the more sure you can be, your being lied to. Its the easiest lie a politician ever has to tell

A core value of American civil religion is Christian Gospel Pharisaism. The pharisees in the canonical Christian gospels were, for the most part, portrayed as empty ceremonialists who ignored the spirit of the law for its letter. They wore exaggerated religious garb, they prayed in exaggerated fashion, they practiced ritual in an exaggerated fashion. These gospel pharisees were rhetorical straw men, a foil for Jesus' simple, honest teachings. The real pharisees were, of course, not really like this. However, these straw men are embodied in the Right of today, and all politicians are forced to dance the tune to hold office. Pray loudly. Wear the biggest crosses possible. Invoke God at every turn. All for show. Sickening.

As a Congresional district chair I never put religion into it. When I put together a big fundraiser dinner I had no invocation, as they seem to at every other event I attend, and no one said a word about it. It seemed to go unnoticed.

Julie

first a christian prayer, then a jewish prayer, then a muslim prayer,
all in the name of diversity and freedom of religion and tolerance,
and I, an atheist, have to listen to THREE prayers, AND pledge to
god and the flag!

I guess it's worth it to make sure that gawd is on OUR side. :crazy:

At our convention in 04 it seemed like it was dozens. Went on forever!! I found other stuff to do as I will in August.

You and I could meet up with other DUers and grab a quick cocktail. :toast:

Julie

with all of that prayer. God Bless you...errrrr ;)

the fact that the overwhelming majority of people believe in some truly strange things

That's all you need to know.

But Red's simplicity was somewhat endearing. "Goodnight, and Gawd bless."