Atheism Quote by Alfred Goodwin
“A profession that we are a nation "under God" is identical, for establishment clause purposes, to a profession that we are a nation "under Jesus," a nation "under Vishnu," a nation "under Zeus," or a nation "under no god," because none of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Opinion: United States Supreme Court, 1992
The law cannot be neutral toward religion when a profession explicitly references a deity, because any such reference privileges one belief over others.
In simple terms: Religion references in jobs break neutrality.
Key Takeaway
Avoid endorsing any deity in professional titles.
Themes
religion
law
neutrality
government
constitution
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public sector hiring
- policy drafting
- legal education
- court rulings
Key Concepts
establishment clause
separation of church and state
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a government maintain true neutrality?
- What alternatives exist for inclusive language?
A Different Perspective
Neutrality is hard when cultural traditions embed deities.
