The Pledge

I have to say, this is one of those fights I wish we were able to avoid. It may be a purely random line, but unlike the 10 commandments issue a while back, I don't really see this as a 'must change' issue. Yes, I know all the right wing fundies are up in arms about this because they DO see it as an homage to god, but most kids who recite it jam all the words together in a meaningless blur. (And, just for the record, I think it's important for kids to pledge allegiance to the US. A little patriotism is a good thing, I think.) The guy who started all this is, without a doubt, a trouble maker who is pretending that his concern for his daughter is why he's doing it - but I don't buy it. He's just stirring up trouble. I'd be more sympathetic if the person who brought the case was Jewish or Muslim.

That said - it's happened, it's in court, and I have a feeling it will be struck down (just 'Under God', not the whole pledge). And, of course, the right wingers are going nuts pointing to this as part of the left's manic drive to kill of god. So in the spirit of debate, and after listening to the right wing radio types yesterday, let me explain a few things to those on the right:

1) Trying to stop the government from endorsing religion is NOT an attempt to take religion away from people. You need to be able to distinguish between YOUR right to practice whatever religion you choose from the Government. It's not the same thing.

2) Claiming that that 'under god' phrase is a historical aspect which must be protected, is a red herring. If you didn't think it really was an homage to GOD (IE the Christian GOD), you wouldn't be up in arms about this. Yes, the people who ask you if you'd be okay with 'Under Allah' or 'Under Buddha' are annoying - but they have a point. You know what 'Under God' means, and so do we.

3) The left, honestly, is not anti-religion. We're very pro-religion. We're just able to realize that for everyone to feel like they are free to practice whatever religion they want, we need to keep the government from promoting a single dogma. All of these issues tend to come about, because you're not willing to share the religion stage with others. You may think your religion is superior to others, and you're free to do so. The freedom ends at the statehouse door.