Thread: Las Vegas Raelian Gets 'God-Free' U.S. Citizenship Ceremony

Dozens of local residents were sworn in Friday as naturalized U.S. citizens, but one of the new Americans insisted on taking a special oath, one that removed all references to God.

Thomas Kaenzig says he left his native Switzerland because of religious persecution. He had to file a lawsuit in federal court to get the attention of immigration officials concerning the oath new citizens must take.

The oath asks new citizens to swear to God and a promise to bear arms. Kaenzig is a Raelian and doesn't believe in God. He's also a pacifist.

Federal officials agreed to change the oath to accommodate his beliefs. Kaenzig knows his decision will tick off a lot of people but he thinks it shouldn't.

"I know people say that because the majority are monotheists. They're either Christians, Muslims or Jews and it would be normal to have that. But it would be like saying the majority are Caucasian and the so only if you're Caucasian you can become a citizen," Kaenzig said.

Kaenzig and his fellow Raelians believe that humans were created, not by God, but by a race of extraterrestrials.

He says it took him seven years to become a naturalized citizen and that he respects the U.S. Constitution since it not only provides freedom of religion but also freedom from religion.

"I think this whole country is based on freedom and everybody's welcome. I'm happy to be a citizen as of today," he added.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=7467900

Oh good just what we need another Dennis Kucinch. (sp?)

Should have sent his butt back to his home country.

They all come here and want to rewrite our laws, our history, and customs.

I don't care if he believes in God or not. He should not be allowed to rewrite an official oath.

We are so screwed in this country, and it is going to get much worse,

Kaenzig and his fellow Raelians believe that humans were created, not by God, but by a race of extraterrestrials.

A psychological evaluation should be a requirement for citizenship. We have enough loonies wandering this country as it is.

It's a CITIZENSHIP oath.....changing it makes it something else....a "sorta" citizenship oath. It's this very kind of thinking that has caused the situation that exists today......trying to be all things to all people.

These loonies don't believe in a supreme being, but claim humans were created by aliens in a lab.......sounds to me like the aliens are pretty supreme to me. What happened to the aliens.....maybe living in Las Vegas playing slots at the MGM.

This nut should not be given citizenship. You're right...he should be sent home. And I agree that we should not change our laws to suit any crazy person coming down the road or anyone else who doesn't like what they;re asked to do.
It also bothers me that he refuses to bear arms. Americans bearing arms made this country a place worth coming to.

Is the U.S. so desperate for his mangey arse that we are willing to rewrite our laws to welcome him? He should be thankful to get the chance to live here otherwise hit the road. Thanks to the nincompoop offficials that allowed this to happen.

My God we are letting anybody and everybody in these days, how pathetic can you get.

This is Bush, "The Constitution is nothing but a g-------- piece of paper."

How many more rules are we going to break to change our country into something we won't recognize?