i still prefer the original official motto: E Pleribus Unum - From many, one - for it speaks to the true power of our people united in common cause and the very real danger of our division.
this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2024
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"E pluribus unum" = “Out of many, one."
How precise is this translation?
I've also heard "From many, one", which can be taken two ways: the same celebration of the individual (presumably over other individuals), or that the many come together as one, which is a much clearer call to action.
I prefer the Voltron version.
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Also has a secondary interpretation: out of the many countries in the world, one of them. Putting the US on equal footing with the nations of old — despite not having a king with a divine right to sovereignty.
I like this interpretation because anno 2024 it also counterweights US exceptionalism.
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The "in God we trust" slogan thing was first used during the Civil War, and only brought about as an official thing in the 1950s when we had to differentiate ourselves from "those godless Commies".
This seems like a good spot for a reminder that Thomas Jefferson edited his own copy of the bible to remove all of the magical/religious elements and left only the philosophical lessons.
And then there was Thomas Payne, who was as close to an overt atheist as you could get in the 18th century without having someone come up behind you and slit your throat.
There's also a long list of great quotes here from the founders-
Have you considered that system of holy lies and pious frauds that has raged and triumphed for 1,500 years?
-- John Adams
And he was one of the more religious ones.
There were many spicy quotes during the Enlightenment -- the founding fathers were reflecting a common sentiment among the educated classes in Europe. Anyone interested in that time period would enjoy Peter Gay's book about it. It's incredibly well-written and much less dry than a book about that subject has any right to be.
One can be part of the system and recognize its faults.
Yeah, there were some people sort of bucking the system, and probably some closeted atheists, but criticizing the church for its corruption and failures is no different than us doing the same about our government today.
The next line after the quote is:
Upon this system depends The Royalty, Loyalty, and Allegiance of Europe. The Phyal of holy Oyl, with which the Kings of France and England are anointed, is one of the most Splendid and important Events in all the Legends.
So not necessarily an anti-deity statement, but more an acknowledgement that the Church is a system by which European rulers reinforce their power and wealth. The whole letter to Taylor from Adams really rants about the church’s power and attempts to control people’s lives.
I don't disagree. Like I said, Adams was one of the more religious founders. He wasn't anywhere near as extremely anti-religion as people like Madison. But that's why I chose Adams.
If you want a good Madison quote:
What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not.
And then, going back to Franklin, was him suggesting America should be building lighthouses, not churches.
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reminds me a yard sale plaque i saw once:
"like a good neighbor, stay over there"
"Good fences make good neighbors"
~Robert Frost
Ah yes, alternate timeline that they add "Mind your business" to the pledge of allegiance instead of fucking "under God".
one nation, mind your business, indivisible...
that shit always pissed me off so much
The pledge of allegiance (to a literal flag no less) is really weird. But, the enweirdening was enhanced in the 1950s when the government added "under god" to make the difference from the commies more clear.
And the national bird a turkey instead of an eagle.
My coin would read: GO FORTH AND FUCK THYSELF
r/NoFap is going to wage a protest!
Omg I forgot that was a thing, I couldn't believe it wasn't trolling, but no some of those people literally believe if they don't whack it they'll have superhuman powers, sounds similar to all the benefits of essential oils (/s) /Rant
Which is funny because there is a ton of data saying that ejaculation is good for you. And I'm sure most of them aren't having sex that often.
Exactly, sounds like something that would originate from a youth church group lol
I had a youth pastor back before I was old enough to have started masturbating, and he gathered all the boys 'round one day to talk to us about masturbation, because the previous weeks one of the boys had made a joke about it.
Basically, the consensus at the ~~Denbigh Christian Church~~ was that ejaculation is only sinful if you're lustful. So loving sex between spouses is okay, jerking off is a sin, and wet dream can also be sins, if accompanied by dirty dreams. But the real problem is that ejaculate is, basically, your bodies reserve of energy. If you're constantly cumming, you won't have energy for other things, because your body needs that for shit like thinking, and moving.
Basically, you're wasting calories, I think?
I was 10, and very confused.
ETA: got the church wrong. Can't remember the name of the one with that youth pastor. But the Sunday school teacher at the same church (not DCC, the one I can't remember) told us that Angels hate us, because we have free will and they don't, and if it were up to them, they'd slaughter us in our sleep. They only don't because they're told not to by God.
Better than what my grandmother (who was not the best person) told me when I was very small and taking a bath- "if you keep touching it, a man will come with a scissors and cut it off." Even now more than 40 years later, just typing it kind of freaks me out because it scared me so much.
On the other hand, it never stopped me from masturbating, so I guess she failed there.
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I feel like there is a toxic Andrew Tate black hole that has been sucking up incels lately. The whole NoFap, wife should be a virgin, high/low value women shit is starting to get popular in these circles.
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Note that Mr. Franklin’s motto meant “Get your shit done” rather than today’s interpretation of “Get the fuck out of my face.”
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Republicans: Clearly Benjamin Franklin was woke, and probably a communist!
(Because this would work against their efforts at book bans, their anti-trans crusade, their general anti-lgbtq+ crusade, their crusade against reproductive autonomy for women, and probably other things that aren't immediately springing to mind.)
I could be dead wrong, but I actually get the impression this wasn't really meant in the modern colloquial sense of keeping your nose out of other people's affairs, and more in the literal sense of keep on top of your business dealings. Which would make sense, since it was to be printed on money.
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Benjamin Franklin distributed a book containing basic first aid, which included which herbs can be used to "restore the menses."
Thats an old timey way of saying inducing an abortion. So you're not that far off from what Republicans would say about him if they were actually educated.
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How about E PLURIBUS UNUM ? Out of many, one. A good motto for a nation of people, and federated states, working together?
Sorry but how does that help us virtue signal about how we aren't godless commies?
A motto that many people today should familiarize themselves with.
It means both "leave other people alone" and "focus on your business" since the US was founded by landowning businessmen.
So slightly better, but not quite as good as "Don't tread on me" would be (if it wasn't currently coopted by fascists).
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what would he say about all the chuds today flying gadsden flags while trying to dictate how everyone lives their life, i wonder..
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