• The secular group declares its patriotism, saying that America isn’t just for religious people.
The prospect of getting banished to hell doesn’t bother Phillip Drum one bit. Having his patriotism questioned over the billboard on Interstate 40 with “under God” intentionally left out of a reference to the Pledge of Allegiance? That does frustrate the Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq.
“One lady called me up and said if I don’t believe in God I should leave America,” said Drum, the Greensboro spokesman for the North Carolina Secular Association, which this week unveiled six of the billboards across the state, including Interstate 40 near U.S. 421. “That’s ridiculous,” said the 25-yearold biochemistry major, who is also president and creator of UNCG Atheists/ Agnostics/Skeptics. “I’ve already served my country and fought for freedom. If people really step back and examine history, this country was founded on freedom of religion — and that means (our) freedom from their religion.”
The billboard shows the words “One Nation Indivisible” — as the pledge was initially composed in 1892 — superimposed over the American flag. The words “under God” were inserted into the pledge in 1954.
And yet, “it’s part of who we are as Americans and who the Founding Fathers were,” said Larry Doyle, director of missions for the Piedmont Baptist Association, who has been told about the billboard but has yet to see it himself. “I would ask the question what do they hope to gain putting up a sign like that where there is a strong belief in God?” Drum estimates that 70 percent of the e-mail and telephone calls that have come to him have been negative — including those who say he’ll end up in hell. The others are from people who applaud the effort or want more information now they know that the organization exists.
“I have had five teenagers e-mail me and say, ‘I’m ... in a Christian home and I can’t join your organization or support you in any way, but I agree with you.’ ”
The $15,000 billboard campaign, timed for Independence Day, is mostly being paid for by the secular association, which is a coalition of local secular, humanist, free-thought and skeptical groups throughout North Carolina.
“The campaign is to let people know we are a growing community,” Drum said. “We are patriots, too.”
It’s also to say that everyone belongs, as was initially intended, Drum said.
It was McCarthyism and the scare of communist influence that changed everything, he said.
“The ones who don’t read history or understand the founding history believe it was always there,” Drum said. “We used to be all one nation indivisible. Not under God. Just of individuals.”
Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin @ news-record.com
Unfortunately the GAO was not mentioned despite Phillip's best attempts. Still, we're raising awareness about atheism in the community and drawing attention to the billboard which is what we're aiming for. Good work everyone- and please hit the donate button if you're able!
Great article & kudos to Philip for speaking up for the community!
ReplyDeleteHow sad that those 5 teenagers can't express their legitimate opinions! I was so lucky. I had parents that were Methodists, and brought me up as a Methodist, but were not militant about it and they, too, eventually quit attending church as I got older. They never pushed any religion on me and I was always free to ask questions, of them, of myself and of others. Those 5 teenagers are the reason non-believer groups need to speak out, and be the "voice of the voiceless".
ReplyDeleteYes Morticia.. it is very sad indeed :-( Unfortunately many of us came from backgrounds like that- hopefully one day there will be no fear in not believing. Thank you for your comment!
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