"...and non-believers."

[dorkulon]

First non-condemning reference to atheists I've heard a President say.

Not much, but I'll take it.

[MichellesBFF]

1. Whee!

We're citizens too!

[GodlessBiker]

2. It's a start.

[Arugula Latte]

21. Our numbers are growing. We're taking over.

Next century Christians will be groveling for a mention in the Inauguration of 2109. :evilgrin:

[Ladyhawk]

24. One can only hope. Religion is so very dangerous...

...and it makes baby Jesus cry. ;)

[Graybeard]

3. Recognizing the right to *not* believe.

It's about time.

[Coexist]

4. I adore this man

[onager]

5. Seen at last, seen at last, great non-existent gawd a'mighty, seen at last...

Agree with the "not much, but I'll take it."

This should keep Rapture Ready busy for a few days, trying to figure out why he wasn't immediately hit with a lightning bolt.

[robinlynne]

6. I stood up and said thank=you out loud when he said that!

[Arugula Latte]

22. Even though my husband and I hate high-fiving, we did (satirically) high-five when he said that.

great moment

[Autumn Colors]

7. I noticed and appreciated that. :) (nt)

[progressoid]

8. Oh sure, the few moments I'm on the phone and I miss that part.

Sheesh.

[cynatnite]

9. I'll take it, too. n/t

[immoderate]

10. Yay! He noticed us!

--IMM

[dorkulon]

12. It;s a vast improvemet over what the elder Bush said about us:

"I don't know that atheists should be regarded as citizens, nor should they be regarded as patriotic. This is one nation under God."

[jmondine]

27. Indeed... and he was sitting right there when Obama said it. Yes!

[tavalon]

11. He left out the fastest growing (though loosest in affiliation)

religion: Paganism.

[bertman]

13. How do you know this, Tavalon. If you're loosely affiliated, how do you

know how many there are? Just curious.

And, as a non-believer I was thrilled that our new President recognized us in front of our nation. Very cool.

[tavalon]

15. Read it in Pagan World Daily

Actually, I don't remember who told me but I thought it was so cool, I didn't choose to challenge it.

[bertman]

17. Okay, thanks.

[Jester Messiah]

14. It still sucks that we get treated like we're the weirdos

Just because we believe in what we can directly observe... but yeah, whatever. Half a loaf is better than none.

[bertman]

18. Well, compared to the other 90-some percent who do believe in a god we are weird.

But that doesn't bother me a bit.

[FatDave]

16. Damn. Looks like I picked the wrong week to start believeing in God.

Just kidding.

[LeftofU]

19. I teared up over this.

To finally be included instead of ignored.

[tbyg52]

29. I let out a fair-sized gasp and then a sob. I was *not* expecting that. I am thrilled. nt

[AndrewP]

20. He gets the fact that we are citizens as well

[Kolesar]

23. Tony Blair used to note us eight years ago, but he's still a dick...eom

[GeorgeGist]

25. Nonetheless ...

Sanity remains the winner and nonsense remains the loser.

[sickofcomplacence]

26. i let out a "YEAH!" when i heard that!!

[eppur_se_muova]

28. The disbelief that dare not speak its name.

About time we were at least mentioned as equals.

[Kurovski]

30. K&R.

Praise be. :-)

[GCP]

31. Thank you President Obama - from an athiest

[Aristus]

32. 'Non' doesn't have to be pejorative, or signify a lack of something positive.

The term Non-Commissioned Officer is an honorable one for an honorable profession in the military. Nobody sees that 'Non' as a negative.

[L. Coyote]

33. The one phrase that upset me in the speech was exactly this quote.

I believe in science, I believe in the triumph of order over chaos.
I believe in humanity's ability to perceive the truth of our universe.
I believe religion is delusional. I believe in separating churches and politics.
I'm a believer, damn it! Don't be frikkin' calling me names like that!!

The problem with this statement is that it makes delusion the default state!
That is what is wrong with American culture!

[file83]

34. "Jews and Hindus, Christians and Muslims, and Normal People...."

I hate being defined by others as a "negative" to some assumed "positive".

I wish he would have said instead, "Normal people."

[verges]

40. Unfortunately,

that denegrates the religious by implying that they are not normal. And since there are more religios(at least in name) of all stripes than there are atheists, religious is the normal.

[tomp]

39. you obviously missed the import of the inclusion of "non-believers".

the inclusion of that term went a LONG way to level the playing field for atheists and agnostics.

remember, your beliefs are exactly that. why should your belief in your version of humanity and the value of science be allowed to be connected to state, but others' beliefs not be so allowed?

[sam kane]

35. Never heard that term before.

Is this commonly used, or invented for this purpose. Negative by definition, but at least suggests that we exist.

[anonymous171]

36. Bush didn't even consider atheists citizens.

[spanone]

37. c h a n g e

[tomp]

38. a very nice touch. nt