After a full day of televised Inaugural Ceremonies and local viewing parties, I discovered this Press Release regarding the all inclusive speech Obama made at the DC Mall today.
I will happily forward this in its original form...
CFI - PRESS RELEASE
January 20, 2009
Center for Inquiry Leaders Applaud Obama's Progressive and Inclusive Vision for America!
President Barack Obama in his history-making Inaugural Address today sounded the clarion call for a more inclusive and progressive America.
The President’s speech outlined a largely humanistic agenda, promising to “restore science to its rightful place,” as we collectively face the massive challenges facing us as a country in the twenty-first century. Significantly, in affirming the pluralistic character of American society, President Obama expressly included “non-believers” among Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus, as part of the body politic.
“It truly is a historic and remarkable achievement of significance that the President of the United States referred to non-believers in recognition of the growing number of Americans—now numbering tens of millions—who hold no religious affiliation. As far as we are aware, this is the first time this has happened,” said Paul Kurtz, chairman and founder of the Center for Inquiry. “It is also noteworthy that he called for the restoration of science to its rightful place and the application of technology to the improvement of human life. We applaud his courageous optimism in outlining an audacious program for the future,” said Kurtz.Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, emphasized the importance of President Obama’s acknowledgement. “For much of American history, agnostics and atheists were denied important civil rights, and in some states, until the early 1960’s, were explicitly forbidden from holding public office. Even after these legal constraints had been removed, non-believers were stigmatized or ignored by most politicians.
We are encouraged that President Obama has unambiguously indicated he will be the president of all Americans.”The Center for Inquiry/Transnational is a non-profit, educational, advocacy, and scientific-research think tank based in Amherst, New York It is home to the Council for Secular Humanism, founded in 1980, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP), founded in 1976, and the Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. Their research and educational projects focus on three broad areas: religion, ethics, and society; paranormal and fringe-science claims; and medicine and health.
The Center’s Web site is www.centerforinquiry.net .
4 comments:
Obama seems to be hitting all the right notes going into his first days as President.
Lets see how long before the special interests start beating him down. Don't think the religious zealots will let him continue his all inclusive rhetoric for long. Thats one intolerant group that will push harder than the oil cartel.
I will believe this hype, when i see it,,,
Im from Missouri - SHOW ME !!!
Hi Mike- yup a great day for America- and look what Obama's frst act was to freeze salaries etc- what a unique concept- even the market is up-
Now if we can only figure out a way to fund Public Access and get back on the air.
Also for those who read your blog- Jan 27- 5:ooPM- Relay for Life Kick offer- dinner - to be held at the United Health Offices on Boises Lane- Hope you can make the meeting along with others from the City Adminisration.
take care and best for the new year,
Shelly Z
hope you don't mind me using your blog as a vital announcement page for the public.
I can only say, after so many positive days in a row, it's ok to be less shocked by the continued great news out of Washington. The interpretation of the speech in this way is good to have reiterated after a few hours to sink in. This is a first for any President to acknowledge the non-believers in the first official speech. Congrats to all of us who accept evolution!
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