After further review, Lpdon is actually not only right, but it was the Supreme Court itself who validated this proclamation.

It was voted--

Man eff that I'm not explaining it, read it for yourself:

This is from the NY Times.

A federal appeals court here declared today that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because the phrase ''one nation under God'' violates the separation of church and state.

In a decision that drew protest across the political spectrum, a three-member panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the pledge, as it exists in federal law, could not be recited in schools because it violates the First Amendment's prohibition against a state endorsement of religion.

In addition, the ruling, which will certainly be appealed, turned on the phrase ''under God'' which Congress added in 1954 to one of the most hallowed patriotic traditions in the nation.

From a constitutional standpoint, those two words, Judge Alfred T. Goodwin wrote in the 2-to-1 decision, were just as objectionable as a statement that ''we are a nation 'under Jesus,' a nation 'under Vishnu,' a nation 'under Zeus,' or a nation 'under no god,' because none of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion.'' [Excerpts, Page A20.]

This article was written by: Evelyn Nieves in 2002.

You can find the actual article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/us/judges-ban-pledge-of-allegiance-from-schools-citing-under-god.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

Furthermore:

Wikipedia compares the Pledge of Allegiance, or better suggest that it is a 'dedication' that holds features of totalitarian states like Nazi Germany.

Which can be read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_the_Pledge_of_Allegiance

This is a question that is not created to state the belief that God does or does not exist.

This is a question that I am totally oblivious as to the meaning nor purpose of and seek to see if anyone can rectify what has just given me a headache in trying to define.

So.

Point I:

It states that the U.S. Government is created as such to be 'free' of Religion in the sense that it holds a jurisdiction over Politics. I probably worded that so bad, but, basically, it's one of the Amendments; the freedom to practice whatever religion you see fit. As such, and what my point was, so to, then should the government be 'free' of the obligation to 'adhere' to any religion over any other.

Correct?

Point II:

The Pledge of Allegiance, as I recently discovered (took place while I was enlisted) has been (not everywhere) banned from schools. This I was unaware of. Lpdon, credited to him, pointed this out in a political thread. I delved into the validity of this and found that such is true. Such was reported in the NY Times in 2002.

Grounds?

Because the words, "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" has been deemed, 'unconstitutional". On the grounds that this concept, a nation being 'under God' or as Wikipedia put it, 'under Zeus' or any other entity, is unconstitutional.

This all leads me to my question:

Why is it that when it is clear that it is a nation of numerous religions, which cannot be denied, that each and every president (I could be wrong but it is portrayed like this)gives off the appeal that he is a 'Christian'? Why can I say 'every' president and not feel that I can be overlooking someone?

Easy. EVERY president, upon being sworn into office, places his hand on one book while raising the other and recites the words, "So help me God.."

Why is that line necessary then? If God has no place in politics, why do we 'swear' upon the Bible, which mind you, even from my POV is a horrid practice, even in Courtrooms. I don't care, personally, if you think it will keep people from lying in court or abusing their power in office, truth is, as history be my proof; this is not the case in the slightest.

So, why is having our kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance so horrid of a practice in school, when they can easily refrain from reciting the words, or even just remove the words 'Under God'; while our presidents and courtrooms use swearing upon the Christian bible as common practice?

When a Muslim, and maybe there is one out there who can answer this; but when a Muslim is placed on trial in the U.S., do they pull out the Quran and make him swear upon that, or is it automatically registered to use the Christian Bible?

If so, then we ARE a nation under GOD; and that would be the Christian's depiction of God.

So, what am I missing?

Because the words, "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" has been deemed, 'unconstitutional". On the grounds that this concept, a nation being 'under God' or as Wikipedia put it, 'under Zeus' or any other entity, is unconstitutional.

This is not unconstitutional though. The constitution states "freedom of religion". The US government was set up to where it wouldn't "force" anyone into a particular belief, and that the government and church would be seperate. "One nation under God" Is not claiming to a specific God, nor is it forcing someone to believe in this God. So again, it is not unconstitutional, the pledge of allegence is not pledging allegence to this God, it is pledging allegence to the country.

I have no problem with the pledge of allegiance.

As long as the symbol is but a flag (we share this as a Nation. It lends strength to the community).

When I swear an however...

That is my sacred honor.

God must be in his proper place.

Or I will not swear oath to the words that follow.

(God as in Undefined, Unknowable Essence)

So we may all also share the Sacred Honor without diference.

Without God above it the constitution is but a piece of paper.

By God above it I will defend your right to Name him as you will with my very blood.

I am not so sure that people "swear on the Bible" or "swear to God" in a courtroom anymore. I've been in court and been sworn in as a witness and I have never been asked to swear on the Bible or swear to God.

It may be different depending on the court or the state, but I think that practice was stopped long time ago.

As for the pledge of allegiance, I find that the pledging of allegiance to a flag to be a political form of brainwashing, like saluting to Hitler. I find it distasteful to require a group of people or children to do that.

As for the words "under God" this would assume or maybe even "require" a person to believe in a God. Freedom of religion is not simply "freedom to worship the God of your choosing" but it has to include the freedom NOT to believe in a God or swear to a God or pledge allegiance to anything under said God.

If you want to get up in the morning and pledge your allegiance to a flag, under a God you are free to do so. But to require someone else to do that at a school or public gathering.... or expect them to, is inappropriate.

I am not so sure that people "swear on the Bible" or "swear to God" in a courtroom anymore. I've been in court and been sworn in as a witness and I have never been asked to swear on the Bible or swear to God.

It may be different depending on the court or the state, but I think that practice was stopped long time ago.

As for the pledge of allegiance, I find that the pledging of allegiance to a flag to be a political form of brainwashing, like saluting to Hitler. I find it distasteful to require a group of people or children to do that.

As for the words "under God" this would assume or maybe even "require" a person to believe in a God. Freedom of religion is not simply "freedom to worship the God of your choosing" but it has to include the freedom NOT to believe in a God or swear to a God or pledge allegiance to anything under said God.

If you want to get up in the morning and pledge your allegiance to a flag, under a God you are free to do so. But to require someone else to do that at a school or public gathering.... or expect them to, is inappropriate.

If you want to get up in the morning and pledge your allegiance to a flag, under a God you are free to do so. But to require someone else to do that at a school or public gathering.... or expect them to, is inappropriate.

Seriously.

Put down your Jesus water for a second.

..and let me ask you something, simply.

"What?" o.o

lol

Only problem with that is no one is "forced" to pledge allegience to the USA flag, people are not forced to say the pledge of allegience. If they do not wish to pledge allegiance to a country under God, that is by all mean's their choice.

If the pledge allegiance offends someone because of the "one nation under God" Again, don't say it. Don't say the pledge of allegiance. No one is forcing anyone to say it.

Why should it bother an athiest if 'under God' is written. Swearing to such would simply be 'insurance'. Since they belive not then they are swearing to nothing but the Constitution.

As far as forcing... I agree.

so why then do they force the childen not to so pledge.

Bit hypocritical?

In my days as a child.

I was not forced yet the opportunity was available every morning.

To conduct a public pledge of allegiance is inappropriate because people are expected to go along with the crowd. People should not be put in the position of having to refuse to do it or having to leave the room.

It is inappropriate. Period.

Aye...

Inapropriate for me to allow it.

But appropriate for those that do not want it to deni me.

Yep...

Thats fair.

Nobody is "expected" to do anything. If you do not wish to pledge allegiance to this country purely because it is a country under God, then that is one's own personal choice. We are NEVER forced to pledge allegiance to the USA if one does not wish to.

I never said anyone was forced. But yes, they are expected to go along with the crowd or they will stand out. But Children are trained to do it from an authority figure. It means very little to them, but they do it because they are told. What is the point if they don't even know what they are saying?

Just like a nation of people trained to salute Hitler and click their heals together. That is a political maneuver.

No one is expected to do anything. If one does not wish to say the pledge of allegiance that is by all means their choice. If one wishes to say the pledge and ignore the part where it is said "one nation under God" that is by all means their choice.

Yes, this country was made on freedom of religion, but it was built on the belief of God. One example to show this is how many signs or something do you see that says "God bless America"?

A country is a princible more or less. It is a set form. It does not change or alter to please the inhabatants of the country. If the people wish to live in the country they will change, alter, ignore, or possibly move to a country that pleases them more.

The country would have to be altered almost every generation to keep up with the ever changing of people and or beliefs in general.

For an atheist to be asked to "swear to God" is absurd. For an atheist to go ahead and do it would be hypocritical and even dishonest since they don't believe in God.