Atheist group file lawsuit to stop prayer at Obama inauguration

I believe in complete and total freedom of religion and freedom FROM religion. If Obama chooses to have flying monkeys at his ceremnoy it should be his choice. I am not sure who they THEY you quote would be referring to..some atheist really dont care what goes on in inaguaration...they are too happy W. is gone lol. I dont like someone elses religion shoved down my throat no matter what it is. I dont like Christians asking me if I found god...(I didnt lose him you find him) or saying I am going to hell (your hell you burn in it) I dont like the Catholics forcing their beliefs on me or any other religion. I say Merry Christmas though I dont believe in Christ, and I say Happy Hanukah. I think the person should have individual choice that is truly what this country is about...FREEDOM. Its Obamas ceremony if he wants a christian bible he should have one...if he wants to shout all hail muhammad he should do that too....if he wants naked dancers...I am available.

My view, this is a waste of the court's time. I'm really sick of groups like this, who are in the minority, trying to take away traditions that *offend* them but that the majority approve of. Decisions that effect the nation as a whole, whether it's removal of the traditional prayer at the inauguration or removal of the word "God" from public facilities and our money, should be put to a vote.

I'm not sure, but this probably isn't the first time somebody has tried this because it seems to me there has been a prayer given at every Inauguration I've ever seen as well as a Bible used and "So Help Me God" said by the new President when he's sworn in. All these people do is make themselves look ridiculous and hinder the legitimate cases they may have when it comes to the Separation of Church and State. Nobody attending or participating in this or any other Inauguration has been or will be forced to say a prayer. Just as when the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, if someone doesn't wish to say "Under God" nobody is forcing them to do so. I predict this case will get thrown out just like past ones have been. Annie

These people tickle me. Their rights are being infringed on they claim. Well what about the rights of the rest of america. This country was based on God and if they don't like it to bad.

They have a right to make their case; the court has the right to toss it. This country was not founded on anything except religious freedom. That means the freedom not to be religious. I know a great many people who don't say under G-d when they say the pledge. They just remain silent until those words are said and then resume saying the pledge. This country needs to respect the differences between us.

Maybe if the Americans elected an atheist president, this would make sense. But we didn't. So there is no reason for him not to include God in the ceremony, in fact as a Christian he definitely needs God on his side for the job he has to do.

It is quite true that the inauguration is a civil ceremony. Barack Obama, however, may wish to feel that he is making a more personal commitment in public. As an American Citizen, that is his right. If we (as citizens) do not agree with his personal beliefs, that is our problem, not his. Religious freedom means religious freedom. If the government were to enforce Christian, Islamic or any other values by legislation to the detriment of any other religion, that would be a denial of freedom. If they were to censor the public expression of beliefs simply because such expression 'might offend' someone, that is also a denial of freedom. I consider myself free to wish anyone a 'Happy Christmas' 'Happy Hanukah' or 'Eid Mubarak'. If they don't understand what I mean or don't celebrate those festivals, then that is their problem, not mine. If they choose to try to prevent me from wishing them good, they are limiting my rights. Basically, I have the right to express my views and to wish others well (or ill) so long as I do not actually do them physical damage or restrict their rights ... and the converse is also true.

Oh yes this again, great. Obama does not have to say "So God help me" nor does he have to even have to use a Bible, a Koran, or what ever he wants. Obama does not have to have a pray at the inauguration, all is just a choice. This is not about protecting civil liberties but enforcing their believe on everyone else. There is not one law that demands the new President to have anything at the inauguration ceremony. The hand on the Bible, so help me God, and the pray was started by George Washington because he wanted it. Religion is just as much a civil liberty as being able to discuss what is going on in Washington here on MyLot.

I don't personally care what anyone's faith is. You're not getting elected to run the country for your religious group. You're getting elected to run the country for everybody. If people want to include their faith in this ceremony, that's fine with me. If they don't, that's also okay. This seems to me to be one of those meaningless media attention grabbing stunts with no purpose.

I think it is horrible! Atheists are in for the shock of all eternity! I really pity them! We need God more than anything and we need to fight to bring God back into our schools, jobs, home...everywhere! I praise God that He is always with me and that I KNOW He is very much alive and well! Praise be to God!

It is tradition - not law - to add "so help me God" to the presidential oath. I've read in a couple of blogs about how some people find this to be a violation of the Establishment clause. That's a bold faced lie, and they know it. The Establishment and Free Exercise clauses deal with what the legislative branch can and can't do when it comes to religion. The president elect choosing to add "so help me God" and saying a prayer does not in any way violate our constitution. I wish these extremist atheists would just shut the hell up and go back into the hole they crawled out of. They make atheists like myself look bad with their stupidity. They can take their sue-happy attitudes with them. In this case, it is the atheists trying to violate the rights of others. I hope the court throws it out and laughs them out of the courtroom.

Athiests are wrong in their beliefs and their non-beliefs, I fear for them when "judgement day" comes. They are definitly wrong in this case. I served as a city commissioner for 12 years, in all of our council meetings we said the pledge of allegience and we included "in God we trust". The father of our country set the precedent, I suggest the athiests leave this great country if they don't like it.

I think they r right. There's something called the seperation of church and state. Many of our founding fathers were atheists. If u think atheism is a religio,then you have no idea what the word means, what atheists stand for or believe in, or what u r talking about.

I do not support the claim of Atheists in this instance. Not because of my religious faith but because I believe in Democracy & Liberty. World will always be plural in all respects ( religion, culture, languages, food, festivals, opinions, beliefs, attitudes etc etc) and it is best that it says so cause thats what helps Humanity grow and learn and experience more. Hence President- Elect Obama is also free to have his own faith and practise it on all occasions as long as he does not force anybody else to follow it. Also, God is just a name for that power we all trust in and bank upon for help...no matter what name he calls him by, it is one and the same. Most Importantly, it should be seen as an affirmation to the faith that there is a higher power than human beings...this faith helps keep us Humble and conscientious which is extremely important to maintain law & order, discipline, reponsibility and civic sense. Also, Prayer is a universal practise...only ways of praying may be different. Every Human Being is free to call upon his creator in any way he wants. President-ELect Obama has the same right and he should not be stopped from practising it. In Fact, Prayer is good for all..those who pray as well as those who merely observe it! So Prayer is definitely in! :) At the same time, I do feel that it is best not to observe any religious rituals and preachings in goverment proceedings. I do support the Atheists there. But even they are not correct all the time , just as noone is ...cause noone is meant to be. We are all humans...and showing respect & tolerance for others is what makes us human...Can stress that enough!

If Mr Obama has personal beliefs and would like to exercise them as a matter of his choice, then he should be allowed to. Religion and state are supposed to be separate, it should not be a requirement. But if it is a personal choice, he can do what he likes as long as the legal requirements are seen to. If I had to go to court, it would be a requirement that I turn up and be polite and respect the court, I could arrive in pink spots with parsley growing out of my hair, that would be a personal choice. Although that may be bordering on not being respectful of the court, you see where I am coming from.

This is a very delicate matter, especially for those that are torn between religion and freedom/human rights. However, the matter is also very simple, especially in a democratic society like the US. Let the votes decide. "If you wish God mentioned at the inauguration, say 'Aye'. If you wish not God mentioned, say 'Nay'". That solves the problem. Happy inaugurations in advance!

Blocking the prayer at Obama's inauguration would be a violation of his first amendment rights, plain and simple. He has the freedom to practice his religion as he chooses. If he wanted to have a satanic ritual washing himself in goat's blood it would still be protected so long as he did not violate any laws. I'm really sick of the anti-religious morons who want to take away the rights of other people to practice religion just because they don't have any faith themselves.

Regardless of how anyone feels about it, it will not get far, they do this quite often, get a little media coverage, then... nothing really happens.

I think it's the minority pushing their weight around. Though "So help me God" is not officially a part of the oath of office, it has been said by the President-elect since Washington, so I think a precedent was set then. The prayer has also been a part of the inauguration low these many years and no one ever called it a religious ceremony before. What's the difference now? I realize there are people who want nothing to do with God or any type of religion, but they don't have the right to stop anyone from practicing their own religion and since Obama has asked Rick Warren to say a prayer at the inauguration, that's his choice and the atheist have no power to prevent him from practicing his religion as he wishes.

like many people said freedom and liberty and freedom should be there and he can day anything he wants in his ceremony.. but in an official meeting or function its better to keep his religion, faith and other things,.. he can do anything he wants in his home... its a private thing... he can swear on anything in his mind,, why to say it publicly... i totally support the atheist groups... because if we slowly allow god and all that in swearing of a country like America,, then it will slowly creep into a full religious ceremony...