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The Shoutout In The Speech

Jan 20, 2009
By .
Politics & Current Events

I watched Obama's oath of office and inaugural address on the TV in the conference room with a dozen of my co-workers, who run the political gamut. There was a diverse collection of snorts (at Rick Warren's frankly odd and creepy intonation of the Obama girls' names, for instance), good-natured snickers (at Obama, who seemed nervous and unlike himself during the oath, and Chief Judge Roberts, who looked poleaxed and seemed to sprint off of the stage), and approving nods (at many of the performances, and at the the delivery — if not, universally, the content — of Obama's speech).

I wanted to call attention to one line:

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.

I'm not a non-believer. I'm a Presbyterian — a deacon, in fact. But I was happy and proud to arrive at a time when the President of the United States would make such a clear statement of inclusion in such an important speech. I know, and respect, many atheists and agnostics — among them my father and close friends. I abhor any suggestion that they are less than full and equal participants in American society. That's a suggestion delivered by, for instance, polls suggesting that a majority of Americans say they would not vote for an atheist, and by a large component of modern political rhetoric. For better or worse, with or without scriptural basis, I feel that my relationship with God requires tolerance of the private beliefs of others. And I'm quite certain that in the long term the security of my freedom to worship as I will depends upon vigilant defense of other people's right not to worship. A civic culture that officially denigrates people for lack of faith is a civic culture that will, sooner or later, intrude into the private sphere of belief in other ways.

Arguably the message of inclusion was watered down by the omnipresent invocation of "civic religion" during the proceedings. But that's an argument for another day.

Last 5 posts by Ken White

6 Comments
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6 Comments

  1. Chris Berez  •  Jan 20, 2009 @8:13 pm

    It's interesting to see the debate going around in atheist circles right now. Some are saying, as you said, that it's nice that we non-believers actually got a shout-out. Others are saying that it says a lot that a tiny little throwaway comment like that should have us all falling all over ourselves with excitement. Some are even commenting over Obama's pause before he mentioned nonbelievers– that such a pause betrays his reluctance to even make the comment.

    As an atheist myself, I honestly don't know how I feel. But I'm leaning much more to the side of "Well, at least we got mentioned in a positive light." I mean, our now former president's father once said that atheists shouldn't be considered American citizens. During his "Mormons are A-OK" speech during the primaries, Mitt Romney pretty much said that all people of faith could band together against those vial atheists. And Libby Dole… well, enough said on her pathetic campaign.

    So yes, I think that I'm rather happy to hear a politician openly acknowledge that we nonbelievers can be just as good citizens are people of faith. It's certainly not something I can think of any other politician ever saying.

  2. David  •  Jan 20, 2009 @9:36 pm

    All the pagans in the house, put your hands up! All the Sagans in the house, put your hands up!

  3. astonied  •  Jan 20, 2009 @11:32 pm

    I thought is was an incredible thing for him to say.

    What I thought was interesting was the comments I heard on Pacifica Radio from a Native American. Needless to say he wasn't too happy with the implication that only those who had come aboard a ship to this country were the ones who made American what it was and is. He felt left out in the cold again.

  4. Bob  •  Jan 21, 2009 @7:59 am

    "Some are even commenting over Obama’s pause before he mentioned nonbelievers– that such a pause betrays his reluctance to even make the comment."

    How do you…. analyze a pause… in speech a delivered… by Obama?

    That's his schtick!

    I think atheists might just be the last group of people that can be belittled and attacked publicly with no repercussions. Of course, if you're not careful they might eat our babies.

  5. dbt1949  •  Jan 21, 2009 @11:54 am

    I just don't think it's kosher that the president should include non Christians in his speech.

  6. Eduardo  •  Jan 22, 2009 @1:41 pm

    I took it as an insult. I'm pretty touchy that way.

    Reading your thoughts, however, I realize how big a deal it is. I want perfection rather than noticing progress. I'd like no mention of religion whatsoever, so it's easy to overlook the importance of two words.