One Nation, Underinformed...

To the Editor:

Regarding Mr. Warner's recent letter asking that the Pledge of Allegiance be returned to its original form, i.e. without "under God," I say "Phooey!"

I believe with my whole being that we are creatures of God. Though hundreds of years have passed, the words in the Declaration of Independence are as valid now as they ever were: " . . . all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights . . . ."

Since the day of our independence, our nation has respected those important words by putting "in God we trust" on our coinage, as well as invoking god during the swearing-in process of our highest elected officials, and for all court testimony.

I, too, believe in the separation of church and state; one faith should never be chosen over another. However, all faiths believe in the one creator, who asks us to love others as we would wish to be loved. This commonality defines our morality and enriches our very lives. We should, therefore, never allow ourselves or our government to be separated from God.

Separation of church and state - yes; separation of God and state never!

It should be very clear why I want "under God" left in our Pledge of Allegiance. I hope I have lots of company.

Charles

Of course you have lots of company, Chuck. Self-absorbed wing-nuts are pretty plentiful these days.

You know what I say "Phooey" to, Chuck? I say "Phooey" to your bullshit, self-righteous attitude. "The Creator" and our "Christian God" are only synomymous to us, because we happen to be Christians, Chuck. But you know what? It is NOT true that every Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Wiccan, and Atheist is an axe-murdering psychopath. You know what I just did? I just blew your stupid fucking "commonality" that "defines our morality and enriches our lives" theory right out of the water. Next time take 5 seconds to educate yourself before you go off half-cocked about something you've got no perpective on.

I'm totally thrilled that you believe "with all your heart" that we are creatures of God. That's fan-fucking-tastic. And if we lived in a theocracy, you could rest assured that your fellow citizens agreed with you, or at least pretended to in order to avoid having bamboo shoots shoved under their toenails. But we don't live under a theocracy, Chuck. So what you "believe", while it may be very important to you, means exactly jack shit when it comes to how the government is run. You can put God on our money, in our court hearings, hell, you can brand it onto the forehead of every man, woman and child. You still won't make everybody believe what you believe.

The addition of "under God" into the Pledge of Allegience was artificial and politically motivated. Jesus wasn't a politician, Chuck. He was a carpenter. The Christian religion was founded seperate and distinct from the realm of politics, much to the dismay of those who were expecting a mighty King of the Jews. So you know what pisses me off, Chuck? Politicians who garner votes from people like you by evoking the name of God in something like the pledge while passing laws written by credit card companies to keep the critically ill from declaring bankruptcy. That's what pisses me off. James Dobson has become a mover and a shaker in politics by saying the word Jesus, on average, every 2.5 words that come out of his shifty little mouth. His training to be able to dictate who Jesus would vote for? He's a Psychologist. He's a fucking head-shrink. That doesn't bother you, Chuck? It sure as fuck bothers me. He is trained in how to influence the minds of others. And religion, while being the medicine of the individual, is indeed the opiate of the masses.

So keep whining about "under God" being in the Pledge of Allegiance, Chuckles. Keep turning a blind eye to a government that lets people die slow deaths due to a lack of medical coverage so that drug companies and insurance carriers can get fat off the backs of the poor. I just hope God doesn't one day ask you what you really did in his name.