But first, I would like to share my thoughts on the current controversy.
It seems Christians are up in arms because the words "under God" have been ruled unconstitutional by the ninth circuit court. Why is that? Why is it that Christians have this need to see the word God in or on everything? Are you a Christian? Do you, in your heart and mind, know that this is a nation under God? Then why is it so important to see it in writing? Even if the words "under God" were not in the Pledge wouldn't you still believe we were a nation under God? Then why is it so important those words be there?
We are a nation of people of all beliefs. Why is it Christians have to force their beliefs onto others? Two words in a pledge are not going to make converts. Your actions will be what makes converts. Isn't it the Bible that states, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven."? Living a good and decent life is what will show others this is a nation under God, not two words in a pledge that are repeated without meaning.
I am not so sure being under God is a good thing either. The governments in this Union incarcerate more of its citizens than does any other nation on the earth. If you go to every prison, jail or detention center in the nation and ask every prisoner or detainee what faith they are, I am sure the answer most often received will be Christian, Muslim or Jew. Why are there not more atheists in prison?
Forget the words, "under God." Their absence will not change a thing. If you believe we are a nation "under God" we still will be when the words are removed. If you want to make this a nation "under God" then I would suggest you stop beating your wife, robbing others, cheating on your taxes and all the other things that dishonor your God. Actions speak louder than words. Putting two words in a pledge will not make it so.
But the words "under God" is not the reason we should be up in arms over the Pledge. It is the Pledge itself. No person who was born in one of the fifty States should say the pledge. Words have meaning. I do not like the meaning of the words in the Pledge. Particularly, I do not like the third word in the Pledge; allegiance.
Merriam-Webster defines allegiance as:
1 a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides.
I am no feudal vassal and the government of the united States is no liege lord. I am a sovereign. You are a sovereign. The government established by the founding sovereigns known as The United States of America is our servant and owes us fidelity. The governments of the several States and of the United States are our vassals and serve at the pleasure of the sovereign citizens. The elected, appointed and hired officials of the governments of this country should daily take a pledge to us, the sovereign citizens. It should start like this:
I pledge allegiance to the sovereign citizens of the several States and of the United States...