Not allow Atheists to graduate from HS? GOP says yes!

[Libertadia]

GOP getting crazier and crazier and scarier.

A group of Arizona politicians — all Republicans, of course — have proposed a law (House Bill 2467) requiring public high school students to recite the following oath in order to graduate:

Kevin Bondelli adds:

In other words, if this bill were to become a law, atheists would either not be allowed to graduate… or they would be forced to lie so they could graduate. Neither option is acceptable.
Mike Sunnucks of the Phoenix Business Journal points out another problem:
The Arizona bill could also face legal challenges if it is approved.

This bill is the work of Representatives Bob Thorpe, Sonny Borrelli, Carl Seel, T.J. Shope, Jeff Dial, David Livingston, Chester Crandell, and Steve Smith.
Smith and Shope have also introduced legislation demanding that all students in grades 1-12 recite the Pledge of Allegiance (with “Under God”) every day. At least in that bill, students can get out of saying it with their parents’ permission.
No such exemption exists in the Loyalty Oath.
Keep in mind that in both cases, the bills do not help children get a better education. That’s the saddest thing about all this. The people who are in charge of fixing the education crisis are proposing solutions that would only waste more classroom time and exclude many students from graduating despite fulfilling their current requirements.

Dear god these people are losing it (not that they haven't already).

I, _______, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge these duties; So help me God.

^ Isn't that what those who decided to join the military take and those who are sworn into a public office? Mighty! I'm more awe stricken than anything else, I thought the GOP crazy train had left ages ago, what is this the GOP crazy express!?

This is the party that claims to be all for "small" government yet what we're seeing right here is more government restriction into ones personal life. No wonder why they keep losing support and they don't understand. I can see it now already next up GOP controlled states will pass laws restricting non-Christians from being able to vote.

I think there is a "ceremonial deism", which means every reference to God in public interventions made by Congressmen and the military is empty of religious content.

What is horrible is that they want children to make an oath -- children making an oath, holy gosh! Are they nazis or communists obsessed with forcing people to submit the government? It's nauseating! As a Libertarian, I see this as a sample of beggarly nationalism. What happened to the defiance to tyrannical subjugation? I thought it was amply constitutional, right?

The problem is not about atheist people not being able to graduate, the problem is that nobody should pronounce a totalitarian oath in a country that declares itself "free".

[Condunum]

...What an absolute non-issue.

So you want all high school students to take the oath of enlistment?

[Howdoyoudoland]

...What an absolute non-issue.

So you would be find with swearing allegiance to the People's Republic of China and doing so in Satan's name?

...Yes?

[Strykla]

...What an absolute non-issue.

So you want all high school students to take the oath of enlistment?

There are more important things to do than add to the Pledge of Allegiance.

[The UK in Exile]

to op: Don't you think your interpretation is a little extreme as well?

I'm pretty certain GOP doesn't say "Atheists cannot graduate".

Indeed It goes further than that since I'm sure a fair few christians aren't wild about the oath either.

[Howdoyoudoland]

...What an absolute non-issue.

So you want all high school students to take the oath of enlistment?

Is it going to be considered some sort of binding legal moment?

Cause if not, what's the harm? It's like the Pledge of Allegiance...

[Condunum]

So you want all high school students to take the oath of enlistment?

There are more important things to do than add to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Like for instance, focus on actually important things in the education system.

[Condunum]

So you want all high school students to take the oath of enlistment?

Is it going to be considered some sort of binding legal moment?

Cause if not, what's the harm? It's like the Pledge of Allegiance...

If it's like the pledge of allegiance, then it would be voluntary.

[Condunum]

So you would be find with swearing allegiance to the People's Republic of China and doing so in Satan's name?

...Yes?

Here's the thing. It's a useless thing to pass. They have more important things to focus on in the education system.

[Howdoyoudoland]

Is it going to be considered some sort of binding legal moment?

Cause if not, what's the harm? It's like the Pledge of Allegiance...

If it's like the pledge of allegiance, then it would be voluntary.

It wouldn't matter if the pledge wasn't voluntary either.

[Howdoyoudoland]

...Yes?

Here's the thing. It's a useless thing to pass. They have more important things to focus on in the education system.

It's also a useless thing to get upset about. It's an absolute non-issue.

[The UK in Exile]

If it's like the pledge of allegiance, then it would be voluntary.

It wouldn't matter if the pledge wasn't voluntary either.

because freedom of speech doesn't cover the freedom to not speak.

[Zottistan]

Here's the thing. It's a useless thing to pass. They have more important things to focus on in the education system.

It's also a useless thing to get upset about. It's an absolute non-issue.

Well, it costs money and time.

[Densaner]

Surely that breaches the Equal Protection clause. SCOTUS here we come...

[Howdoyoudoland]

It wouldn't matter if the pledge wasn't voluntary either.

because freedom of speech doesn't cover the freedom to not speak.

Because this isn't an absolutely ridiculous thing to get riled up over.

[Condunum]

If it's like the pledge of allegiance, then it would be voluntary.

It wouldn't matter if the pledge wasn't voluntary either.

Yes, it would. I should not be forced to make a pledge when I don't want to.

Here's the thing. It's a useless thing to pass. They have more important things to focus on in the education system.

It's also a useless thing to get upset about. It's an absolute non-issue.

Know what I'm upset about? Retarded politicians on the right focusing on this to distract themselves from a crumbling education system.

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

Holy Jeebus! I'm a Christian and I think that's terrible!

EDIT: actually read the law, there's nothing there that says atheists can't graduate. It's just a common figure of speech that makes it an oath.

This. The original poster is a silly bigot trying to make a big deal out of nothing.

[Condunum]

because freedom of speech doesn't cover the freedom to not speak.

Because this isn't an absolutely ridiculous thing to get riled up over.

People will get riled up over an empty toilet paper roll.

[Howdoyoudoland]

It wouldn't matter if the pledge wasn't voluntary either.

Yes, it would. I should not be forced to make a pledge when I don't want to.

You're right, you should never have to do anything you don't want to, even when those things are absolute non-issues.

Here's the thing. It's a useless thing to pass. They have more important things to focus on in the education system.

It's also a useless thing to get upset about. It's an absolute non-issue.

Know what I'm upset about? Retarded politicians on the right focusing on this to distract themselves from a crumbling education system.[/quote]

It's an absolute non-issue.

[Howdoyoudoland]

Because this isn't an absolutely ridiculous thing to get riled up over.

People will get riled up over an empty toilet paper roll.

Does the fact that people do it make it any less silly?

[Strykla]

There are more important things to do than add to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Like for instance, focus on actually important things in the education system.

Umm.... Yes?

[Dyakovo]

Once again, a misleading title.
Seriously, why should you mind an oath?

Why? Because if I want to make that oath, id join the fucking army.

If you joined the military you wouldn't have to swear to 'God'...

[Condunum]

People will get riled up over an empty toilet paper roll.

Does the fact that people do it make it any less silly?

No, but it's to highlight how silly it is to point out that it's silly.

[Gigaverse]

About time someone stepped up to the plate. The balance between the extreme right and the moderate right in America is at stake!

Immediately replace the GOP with the GNP! (And no, that's not Gross National Product to you.)

(Sad story sad, yes, that Lincoln's boys are dishonoring him and the Republicans, but they're just... typical American Republicans. Or politicians. Or... whatever, you name it.)

[Howdoyoudoland]

Does the fact that people do it make it any less silly?

No, but it's to highlight how silly it is to point out that it's silly.

Not really, I make it a point to speak up whenever I think people are acting ridiculous, becoming riled up over something unimportant.

This is one of those times.