Quote:
Originally posted by jonsagara
The only group I can think of that I may have disrespected is the Knights of Columbus, but aren't they in fact disrespecting non-believers and people of different religions by insisting that their God is mentioned in the Pledge? If one deity is mentioned, then all should be mentioned. This doesn't work either because there are people who don't believe in a supreme being. Therefore, in order to accomodate everyone ("one Nation"), the phrase should be removed from the Pledge. To achieve equality and give everyone the opportunity to say the pledge, we must cater to the lowest common denominator, which in this case is the group of non-believers.
Were the citizens being disrespectful pre-1954 before "under God" was added? And if that phrase is comprised of "just two simple words," what is the harm in removing them altogether? If it is so easy for a non-believer to utter them, then it is surely as easy for a believer to NOT utter them. After all, they are "just two simple words."
This is not about respect for the forefathers. It is about separation of church and state. I am sure if this passes, it will open up a whole can of worms, but so what? Is it wrong to think and reassess? Is change that bad?
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First, no the KoC are not "disrespecting" anyone. The reason they exist is because even in recent times, some ignorant Catholic-bashing bigots think that it is impossible to be a good Catholic and a good American at the same time. Hence the patriotic displays of the 4th degree.
Second, your accusation that they are imposing "their God" is equally innacurate. If they were going to impose "their God" they would have made a specific mention of the Trinity or Jesus, etc. They didn't.
Third, the "knee-jerk, anti-Commie" concerns were not as trivial as posts on this thread are making them out to be. Another nation, about as powerful, militarily, as the US of A wanted to destroy our way of life. That isn't minor. There was a very real possiblity of world war, possibly nuclear, that would have ended the freedom to choose to be religious or not. Read the Communist Manifesto some time--one of the main goals was to eliminate religion. Now, who's imposing on others' rights??? The two words: "Under God" was a reaffirmation that the choice to believe in God, as a fundamental underpinning of our nation, would not be diminished.
Fourth--while you're at it, make sure to get the US currency to eliminate "In God We Trust" from the design. Anything less would be inconsistent.
Adrienne (proud Lady of a Sir Knight, greater Houston assembly)