One of my favorite parts

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. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. -- Barack Obama, Inauguration speech, January 20th, 2009

In one of his prior speeches (I can't remember which one -- perhaps it was part of one of the debates) he left out non-believers and I was disappointed. Depending on the survey you look at, non-believers (and/or secularist) make up as much as 17% of the population -- 25% of young adults. If you are going to mention Muslims (.6% of the US population), Jews (1.3%) and Hindus (.4%), why not non-believers? So I was happy to see the group with which I affiliate myself acknowledged. When you are acknowledged, you have hope that you will also be heard.

But that wasn't the only part of the speech I was cheering -- I love the whole idea that the power resides in the people. Isn't that the basis for the concept of Democracy in the first place?

Hurray for America!  Hurray for our 44th President!  I wish him, and all Americans the best in the next 4 years!

Comments

[Angela]

That popped out at me, too. It was nice to be included.

[Veronica]

I was so happy to hear that when he said it. Finally.

[Kelly]

I felt the same way. It was nice to acknowledge that we exist, and it makes me think maybe that the "non-believers don't matter in a Christian-country" thing may be more on the back burner now. Hope.

[Donna]

I too liked being included. And I have a strong hunch that Obama really is a non-believer. He was raised by non-believers & joined the church around the time he married Michelle. I think he probably did so to please her & to fit in in the black community on the South Side (having worked with many people from that area, I can tell you they are very religious). And, of course, we all know that a non-believer could never get elected. I'll believe that this country has conquered all its' prejudices when we elect a fat atheist lesbian president.