One email, under God

Ah, it's the email about the Pledge of Allegiance again. I must have seen this at least a hand-full of times through the years...

Shock to NBC !!!!!
As you are aware, the Knights of Columbus submitted to congress that the words "Under God" should be added to our pledge of allegiance.

Actually, I think you will find that  most Americans are completely clueless about that fact. Sad, but true.

Both Houses of Congress passed the law and it was signed by President Eisenhower in 1954

Yes, it was added in 1954, yet most Americans simply assume it's always been there... In fact, that's one of the most common arguments I've heard for leaving 'under God' in the Pledge. People saying that we should leave God in it as it was originally written. Yet history proves that those that want God removed are actually the ones wanting to honor the original intent and version of the Pledge.

The information below was based on a pole taken by NBC on what percentage should keep the words in our pledge verses the percent who want it removed If you read this and agree that "under God should be left in the pledge, then just forward it to others and you have voted for it to be left in. If you delete it and don't forward it you are voting NO to "under God." Easy huh!

How about reply that I think it should be removed? Can I pick that choice?

Official versions (changes in bold italics)
1892
"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1892 to 1923
"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1923 to 1924
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States  and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1924 to 1954
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1954 to Present
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

This is not sent for discussion. If you agree, forward it... If you don't, delete it. I don't want to know one way or the other. By my forwarding it, you know how I feel.

Threatened censorship. Isn't that cute... Sounds like someone isn't very open minded. I'm always open to hearing an opposing view. I likely won't agree, but there's the chance I could learn something. I have nothing to gain by arrogantly declaring that those who don't agree better not even bother talking to me.

Do you believe that the word God should stay in American culture?

NBC this morning had a poll on this question. They had the highest Number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the Percentage was the same as this:

86% to keep the words, IN God We Trust and God in the Pledge of Allegiance, 14% against.

That is a pretty 'commanding' public response.

I was asked to send this on if I agreed or delete if I didn't.

Now it is your turn. It is said that 86% of Americans believe the word God should stay. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Actually, 86% of people answering a on online pole question in the affirmative does not mean that 86%  of Americans actually feel that way. For one, people anywhere in the world can usually take these polls. The results can be heavily skewed by people voting multiple times from multiple computers, creating a vote bot, or calling on an online community to flood in votes. Online poles are not at all scientific and can often be unreliable. Case in point, I've seen these same questions polled with very different results. I even recall one of a Christian site where about 90% voted that God should be removed from the Pledge and money.

Why is the world catering to this 14%?

I think it's hilarious that the email suggests that anyone is catering to non-believers. We are consistently one of the most distrusted, and discriminated against of minorities in the US.  On a worldwide scale, we are actually the third largest 'theological' group (and fastest growing). But since this email is concerned with American policy lets focus domestically...

When it comes to policy, we base decisions on the law, not what the majority think. If the majority of Americans wanted to be allowed to hunt Bald Eagles, the government wouldn't just say "Okay!" and hand you a rifle. Instead it would reference that law that these majestic birds are protected creatures.

The same should be true of the Pledge. It's the law that matters, not what the majority thinks. If 8 million people believe something foolish, it's still foolish. There is a case to be made that having God included in such a way violates the first amendment. But let's look at the silly claim that law should be made by majority rule...

Why do the majority allow the 16+% Americans without a religious preference to speak? Well, why does the majority allow the 13% of Americans that are African-American to have rights? They are a smaller minority than those that claim no religious preference. So they should be even less important, right? Oh, and at times the majority of people thought that keeping black slaves was perfectly fine. So it must have been fine, right? Majority rules! What about women? The majority used to say they shouldn't be allowed to vote. Why did we ever change that? Equal application of the law.

If you're so in favor of majority rules. What if Muslims become the majority and want the Pledge to say 'under Allah'?  You'd be fine with that, right?

Many times throughout history, what the majority agreed on was eventually found to be unfair, and/or in violation of the law. That is the same case being made for the Pledge. Like it or not, if something is unconstitutional, it's unconstitutional. Popularity shouldn't matter.

If you agree, pass this on. if not, simply delete.

 There's that close-mindedness again... I'll pass it on alright.  But only after setting the record straight!


-Brain Hulk

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