[The Deuce]

It pains me to hear that people are fighting to remove 'under God' from our pledge of allegiance. I personally am a God fearing man, and while it is often forgotten, this country was founded by people seeking religious freedom. I know that religion is used (and misused) by people looking for power and answers, and that troubles me as well.

I applaud the man's commitment to his beliefs, as it takes a lot of faith to believe that we are all there is. However, part of his argument is that he wishes to not have others beliefs imposed on his children, and thereby impose his beiliefs on our country. This is an issue with which have trouble.

American government is majority rule with minority protection. There is no reason that anyone should be forced to say the phrase 'under God' if they chose to abstain, that is their right. It should be an option as the majority of people in our country aknowledge at least some higher power.

I will also close with a small antecdote:

The 1936 summer olympics were held in Berlin Germany. As the participating countries marched through the stadium for opening cermonies, they would dip their flags in reverence to Hitler as they passed his booth. The American team marched by, flag held high in defiance. When asked about the apparent act of defiance, the flag bearer responed, "This flag bows to no
earthly king."

Before the end of that decade, Europe was in full war with Germany, and inside 10 years the atrocities of the third reich were exposed. America was the only country whose flag flew high and proud during all the ceremonies and never honored one of the most infamous men in history.

"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."