Under God or not under God

For children to recite “under God” each day in public schools under

the leadership of their teacher and surrounded by their peers is a

state-sponsored form of religious indoctrination that should not be

permitted.

The Circuit Court was correct in concluding that this phrase in

the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of

religious belief; that is, the belief in monotheism. Although the

belief in one God is shared by Christians, Jews and Muslims, it is

easy to see how inappropriate it is if we imagine students being

required to say “one nation under Jesus,” “under Vishnu” or “under

Zeus” (examples the court used).

That a majority of Americans believe in God and do not believe in

Zeus does not change the fact that it is religious indoctrination in

a public school. The very purpose of civil liberties is often to

protect the rights of those who hold minority or unpopular views.

I would not want a Buddhist child, for example, to feel that the

religious tradition of other students had a special place at school,

and that his or hers was ignored or even inferior. I would welcome

the study of all religious traditions at every level of education,

but not indoctrination unless parents choose it by sending their

children to religious schools or by providing religious training

outside the public schools, which I highly recommend. Instructing

children about the change in wording in the Pledge would be a perfect

time to discuss religious freedom, diversity and tolerance --

cherished values of our way of life.

I believe that saying “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance each

day in public schools actually teaches children only two things: 1)

it is the social norm to believe in God and 2) God is on the side of

the U.S.A. The addition by Congress of this phrase during the

McCarthy era should cause us to question underlying political

agendas. Government should stick to governing and social programs to

assist the public, and leave religious instruction to families in

partnership with their churches, temples and synagogues.

THE REV. DEBORAH BARRETT

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa

Since the Pledge of Allegiance is usually said mindlessly, with

little engagement of heart, mind and spirit, I do not think children

receive any great moral or spiritual benefit from reciting the words

“under God.”

I am not convinced that the sheer quantity of repetition makes for

a stronger impression on students. Nor do I believe that the excision

of those words will unleash a wave of atheism, rip apart the moral

fabric of our society, and advance the decline and fall of Western

civilization. I simply submit that the pledge should remain as it

reads, an affirmation of our nation’s reliance upon God and the

relevance of God’s power, wisdom and justice to our survival and

welfare.

We are, it has long been recognized, endowed by our Creator with

certain inalienable rights. In President Kennedy’s inaugural address,

he stated that “The same revolutionary beliefs for which our

forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief

that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but

from the very hand of God.” While we can argue issues of church and

state, we must agree that God and country have been and continue to

be intertwined in our culture and society.

One of the keys to being one nation is the unity to be found in

the words “In God We Trust,” “So Help Me God,” and “God Save the

United States and This Honorable Court.” The president takes his oath

with his hand placed not on a dictionary, an almanac, or on “The

Federalist Papers,” but on the Bible. The fourth stanza of the Star

Spangled Banner, our national anthem, praises God for having rescued

our land and preserved us as a nation.

Will purging the pledge of “under God” propel our youth into moral

anarchy? Will it result in an increase in juvenile violence,

wholesale rebellion against parents, refusal to attend houses of

worship? No, but keeping those words sends a message that not only is

our great country under the beneficence of God, under the inspiration

of God, and under the love of God, it is also under the challenge of

God.

Being “under God” means there is a Force and a Power that

transcends country. We are answerable to that Power. We are not only

constituents of America. We are citizens of God’s kingdom.

RABBI MARK MILLER

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

“‘One nation under God’ is incorrect,” say some, “because all

nations are ‘under God.’”

“‘ ... nation under God’ is right” say others, “because God is

above our United States, and all nations.” As adults connect

“nation(s)” and “under God” differently, so must children. I was in

third grade when this phrase was added to the Pledge of Allegiance by

President Eisenhower; I cannot remember saying it otherwise.

As a child, I thought that this nation was special and wonderful

because it was “under God.” As an adult, I know that this nation is

special and wonderful because of the wisdom of our founders and

sacrificial living and giving of so many citizens during our 227-plus

years. I understand that all nations are “under God,” and that to

think we have captured and tamed and trained God to our own liking is

to fall into the “God-in-a-box” trap described by J.B. Phillips in

his wonderful, brief book “Your God Is Too Small.”

God is the loving source and hopeful destination of all persons in

every nation. Children -- of all ages -- must be taught this by their

families and beloveds. “Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance gives

only a tiny glimpse of who God is, and some would say an inaccurate

one; others think it is a good beginning. At best, it is only a

beginning of understanding who God is.

THE VERY REV. CANON

PETER D. HAYNES

Saint Michael & All Angels

Episcopal Parish Church

Corona del Mar

Since my religion, vocation and personal convictions dictate, I

must first comment from a religious perspective. The phrase “under

God” or any acknowledgment of the Almighty is one that stands as a

reminder to all that there is someone else who is far greater than

him or herself. It is not only essential to educate the minds of our

children with science and literature, but also to ground them in the

basic and most fundamental aspect of their creation, and that is the

spiritual element. The product of an adult is made during their

childhood development years. If we only educate the minds of our

children and not the spirit, then our children will become adults

without compassion, mercy, humbleness and gratitude.

IMAM SAYED

MOUSTAFA AL-QAZWINI

Islamic Educational Center

of Orange County

Costa Mesa