We ARE — and Shall Remain — UNDER GOD!

I regularly receive email messages from the American Center for Law and Justice.  Once again, they are being called on to protect the “under God” inclusion in our Pledge of Allegiance. 

Michael Newdow is once again challenging the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance, including the words “one nation under God,” representing the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Congress.  But more than that, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and other groups are striking at the very heart of America’s foundational beliefs and time-honored traditions.  They will not stop until every public mention of God is stripped from our country.

The Pledge of Allegiance is a core piece of America’s heritage.  It acknowledges that our freedoms as a nation come from God … and it must be preserved.  For the sake of our nation’s future, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, stand with the ACLJ in fighting to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from encroachment by those who would erase the name of God from the public sphere. 

In our brief, we argue that the Pledge and the phrase “one Nation, under God” do not violate the Constitution, saying that the words “simply echo the sentiments found in the Declaration of Independence and recognize the undeniable truth that our freedoms come from God.”  The brief contends:  “These words were placed in the Pledge of Allegiance for the express purpose of reaffirming America’s unique understanding of this truth. The United States is different from nations who recognize no higher authority than the State.” 

“While the First Amendment affords atheists complete freedom to disbelieve,” the brief argues, “it does not compel the federal judiciary to redact religious references in every area of public life in order to suit atheistic sensibilities.”

The brief also cites the fact that the Supreme Court has made numerous proclamations regarding the constitutionality of the Pledge; and in every instance in which the high court or individual Justices have addressed patriotic exercises with religious references – including the Pledge – they have concluded “unequivocally” that those references pose no constitutional problems. 

We contend that, if the lawsuit succeeds, a flood of new litigation will ensue.  The brief says if the Pledge is declared unconstitutional   “. . . it will undoubtedly embolden further challenges to other religious expressions in government venues, including the several religious works of art and various religious inscriptions in the Capitol Complex, as well as the prayer rooms in House and Senate Office buildings.”

I support them.  You should too.

“America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under.” – Ronald Reagan