I firmly support the recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which dubbed the phrase “under God,” in the Pledge of Allegiance, unconstitutional.
Yes, I am a Christian. My last column, if any one read it, should have made that abundantly clear.
I suffer from the same crises of faith as any other Christian.
I am not at all sin-free, as no man nor woman is or was well, except for one, but I’m not going to name names here.
Like most other Christians, I grew up constantly questioning my faith, attempting to refine and personalize my belief system in a perpetually changing contemporary society.
Even though I am thoroughly a Christian, I must agree that “under God” must go.
One must always realize that our government and our religious beliefs or affiliations have been set apart by the founding fathers of our country: the authors of the U.S. Constitution.
It is obvious that the addition of “under God” to the Pledge in 1954 was unconstitutional.
It was added to define a certain belief system as the national religion, which completely violates the establishment clause in the First Amendment.
The conclusion is clear: “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance and the U.S. Constitution do not agree. They are absolutely conflicting.
As a logical human being, I see this. As a Christian, it is tough to accept. I know. But, one must always keep in mind that our country was founded based on the religious plight of an oppressed people. Religious persecution is what led to what is now the greatest country in the world. If we show that it is OK to oppress any group based on their belief, no matter how unpopular, whether it be atheism or any other form of religion that does not believe in the typical Judeo-Christian God, we are no better than the tyrannical leadership that led to the founding of our nation.
We are taught throughout school that the English government was evil, because they attempted to force the Pilgrims to believe a certain way. How are we being any different if we force the minority belief systems in America to subscribe to the majority belief? Is it simply because as the majority belief, everyone should believe that way?
I understand that the Pilgrims faced a much more tyrannical and capital form of persecution. There have been few deaths recently based on the Pledge of Allegiance. I understand this.
But, the bottom line remains: Under the Constitution, it is not acceptable for the government to endorse a Pledge of Allegiance to monotheism.
The answer is simple. If the Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution inevitably conflict, as they do, we must change one. It is up to you to decide which one. Either way, as a Christian, pray for our country. Pray for a swift resolution to this war. Pray for those who do not believe the same as you. I know I will.
Finally, if you disagree with the separation of church and state, pray that it is changed. But, until it is, “under God” cannot be a part of our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance.
My beliefs as a Christian are my business. They are my choice. I will always privately pledge allegiance to God, and this has never been a problem because our nation publicly endorses my belief system as the popular belief, but what if a day comes when this is no longer the case? What if, one day, I am forced as a part of fulfilling my patriotic duties to pledge allegiance to some religious dogma in which I do not believe? As a Christian, I have my beliefs, no matter how popular or unpopular they may be in the future. I wouldn’t want to pledge. Would you?
Matt Paulson, a sophomore journalism major, is sports editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at phil6483@aol.com.
