I wrote this and posted it at BF:

(I think my fonts are all messed up, does this text look funny?)

In 1954, Congress amended the official version of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States to add the words "under God" -- a move then-President Dwight Eisenhower said would demonstrate "the dedication of our Nation and our people to the Almighty."

The Supreme Court today overturned that ruling. The decision coming about because of a challange from an Atheist in California (Michael Newdow) who feels that the Pledge of Allegiance forces his children to acknowledge a God that the state endorses.

The case turned on interpretations of the "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which requires that Congress "make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

The clause has already been a factor in rulings regarding school prayer and public Christmas displays.

While Newdow's daughter -- like other U.S. students -- was not required to recite the pledge, he said she was nevertheless hurt by being forced to "watch and listen as her state-employed teacher in her state-run school leads her classmates in a ritual proclaiming that there is a God."

Opponents feel that this attitude is nothing more than "fevered individuals wishing to remove all traces of any God from public life", and question whether the proponents of the ruling have any trouble using the money we handle daily, labeled "In God We Trust".

Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer (speaking in Canada where the president was attending the G8 summit,) said Bush had instructed the Justice Department to look into the case.

"I think most Americans are going to be stunned by this... I think this ruling is not going to sit well with the country and certainly does not sit well with the president of the United States," Fleischer said.

*ouch.


I remember reciting the pledge every day in school, and not ever thinking twice about it. It was a chore. I got no impression of any God from it. It was inconsequential.

When my kids were in elementary school, the school itself pulled the Pledge from the daily protocol and replaced it with a "Feel good" pledge. "I am special. Nothing anyone says or does to me can take that away." Fine. Whatever. It was the era of self-esteem.

So what do you think? Under God? or..are we?

Paranoia? or...Ne'er the twain shall meet, those folks in the church and state, that is.

I personally think the Pledge should have been pulled along time ago. Those that know me know I'm not saying that cause I don't love God. But what about non-Americans? Should they have to listen and recite cold war propaganda for a country that isnt theirs, along with atheists reciting public affirmation of a God they don't believe exists?