And furthermore, if that guy's kid was in one of my kid's classes...I can bet you anything that MY kid would be the first to stand up a say a prayer out loud...just to piss her off!

Ok, that my not be a nice thing to do, but I guarantee, the children that I'm raising will represent!

First off, the guy who is contesting this pledge thing is a f*ckin retard. I am not a religious person at all. In fact I dont believe in God too much at all these days. I also have no problem with the fact that others believe in God either. Do what you want to. If you dont want to participate in it, you dont have to. Just because its not good for all, doesnt mean it should be restricted from all. I am a believer in truth and freedom. I do not have to have someone take away the words to my song (pledge). I totally believe in being conservative and liberal depending on the case. This bullsh*t has gone too far.

I work in a high school and we recite the pledge every Tuesday morning at 9 am. I get up from my desk, stand facing the flag in our office and place my hand over my heart and say "I pledge allegence to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" and I will continue to do so until I am no longer alive.
God Bless America

E-Chick, are you an authority on who's damned? Tell God I said "howdy" and that if he'd talk directly to me like he does you, I wouldn't have these doubts. They did have public gallows in the south, I believe the term was lynching, and people were afraid of the lynch mob. So you see we just have to bring back the lynch mobs and witch hunts. Is that what you want?

I personally think that public executions for trash like the perverts that abduct and kill little girls and commit crimes such as Rape and murder would be a good thing! Maybe even execute the bastards in a really harsh manner, such as electric chair or firing squad! Ok you liberals can jump all over me now! Charlie

As for atheitst and agnostics, I feel that they should get up and leave the room if they are offended, otherwise, they are welcome to stay and listen to the Pledge! I do not have anything against them until they infringe on my constitutional rights! Charlie

First of all J, I'm not much of an authority on anything, but I sure am entitled to my opinion just as you are. And as far as I'm concerned regarding who's damned, if you don't subscribe to the God vs Devil belief as I do, why would you even be concerned about who is and who isn't damned? Without that belief, is it still possible to be damned?

And as requested, I'll include you in my daily prayers when I talk to God and pass along the "howdy" for you, but it isn't hard to pray for yourself. It's a faith, trust, or I guess you could say insurance policy...for example, would you consider being without insurance? Not me! I doubt everyone in my family will ever have an accident or be seriously ill, my mind won't let me believe it. But we all have insurance just in case. Religion, any religion that I know of is the same scenario.

And if you think your comments can belittle me as I am interpreting them, you are wrong. They have the opposite effect. I'm not picking a fight here with you and don't want to either. But I sure feel some pent up hostility coming from you...Yes people were afraid of the lynch mob that YOU'VE brought up. But again, you are trying to put words into my mouth...and NO, that's not what I want. Reread my posts. I think it's pretty clear.

Wow! Lot's of emotion on this one. No surprise I guess. Problem is, emotions cloud judgement. We are talking about public schools. In parochial schools under God will remain and daily prayers will be said. The government is supposed to treat all religions and the people who choose to have none, fairly and equally. So in a public institution or any institution funded by the government, endorsing or showing favor to, any one religion is improper. Showing patriotism is not. And no, not all religions have a central deity or God. Some people think the word American is synonomous with Christian. It was once. But has not been for a while now. If you want your children taught christian values that is your (and my) responsibility. Do it at home or send them to a religious based school(vouchers anyone?). But they should not be getting it at our public schools. The Buddhist and Hindu(among others) Americans feel seperated from us enough already. Let's teach their children and ours tolerance and togetherness as Americans first above all our differences. A little of that would be good for some of us adults too.

Chill out everyone! The idiot who wrote the majority opinion for this hot topic(Judge Alfred Goodwin) has stayed his ruling for future reconsideration by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals! Amazin what a little political heat can do! It's almost as if tthey ruled this way to cease all future attempts by morons to challenge the word "GOD" wherever it may appear in our country!

http://www.vfw.org  and if you feel as I do, that this is another abuse of our legal system, a waste of tax dollars and a slap in the face of every citizen then join in posting to a place where your opinions will really count. Links are provided at the VFW site. I personally emailed my state congressman and hope thos of you who agree this is B.S. will do the same.

The important thing is that one realise the importance of not allowing the vocal minority to shunt aside all this country is based upon in favor of some "New World Order/NATO" one-size-fits-all-or-else mentality.

I have friends in Europe who are seeing their liberties going throught the same wringer and it scares me to think of how easily changes for the worse can be had so easily after we fought so hard for what we now take for granted.

Thank you all.

Oh, and TopDog the 9th court upheld the ruling.
I am posting a couple of quotes here:
"Even though school children have been reciting the Pledge since 1892, it was not until 1942 that Congress officially endorsed it. In 1954 Dwight D. Eisenhower amended the Pledge by adding the words "under God." "


KANSAS CITY, MO, June 27, 2002-The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the nation's premier veterans' group and patriotic organization, are seething over the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling yesterday declaring the nation's Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. The ruling, which affects children in public schools in nine Western states, said the pledge cannot be recited in public schools because the phrase "under God" endorses religion.

"The Pledge of Allegiance has long been the bulwark of American pride and patriotism," said VFW Commander-in-Chief James N. Goldsmith of Lapeer, Mich. "It is an unconscionable act by our court system, especially when patriotism is renewing the spirit of our nation. In no uncertain terms will the 2.7 million members of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary tolerate this total disregard for the patriotic values our Pledge symbolizes. We fully condemn the actions of the 9th court and will dedicate all our resources to fighting this decision."

In addition, Goldsmith said every American should be outraged at the direction of the court and is encouraging all Americans to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 11 a.m. local on Friday, June 28, to say the Pledge in solidarity. "We are asking all Americans to join us in demonstrating unity and resolve toward preserving a vital part of our nation."

http://www.cnn.com/2002/LAW/06/27/pledge.allegiance/index.html 

The 9th Circuit covers California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Montana and Idaho.
Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Perhaps we should just remove those states from the union which are represented in this action so they may apply for induction to a country better suited to their religous or atheist beliefs.

As xrundog said, this is getting (to) emotional. I don't think this discussion is being pro or against religion/God. Just because ones nations foundation (Denmark is also based/build on the christian religion) is christian/christianety, it doesn't mean that everyone believes in God and lives by the Good Book and thereby are "good christians". - Believing in God and practise (sp?) ones religion in everyday life, should be and is - a matter of free choise!!!!! I don't believe in God, or practise my religion, but I do go to church for weddings and baptisms. Apart from this I wouldn't want my life invaded by lots of stuff being related to God and religion. - I like to choose myself and I hate things being forced upon me - including God and religion. Christ (see.....??), just look at nearly every f***in' conflict in the world - they're rooted in religion!!!!! How cool is that?

Saying the words "under GOD" in the pledge does NOT constitute a governmental push of one religion over another. The issue here isn't whether the words are relevant or not. The issue is the PC mentality that once again makes the majority "suffer" to appease the vocal thin skinned minority. This whacko is just that: A nut job who wants "God" removed from our monetary system and everywhere else he may look. I don't care if you're Athiest or Islamic or whatever. If the pledge offends you because of words put there 50 years ago, then tough. Deal with it. You are not being persecuted by OUR PLEDGE.

Pepsii, thank you for the great info...Hansen, I hope my God won't get in the way us being friends...I really love you...and sorry Steve, but I am really hating the whole San Fransisco mentality right about now...

God probably won't get in the way of us being friends. - You are a cat hater though. LOL!

Purrr......

NOW, that is far better. I love purrs....... or doing what causes them!! 😉

OOoooohhhh-YYYYeeeaaaahhhh!!!!!!!

Charlie: my constitutional rights prevent you from infringing on my rights and you are free to leave the room and say anything you want. how dare you tell me i have to listen to your godlike approach to morality and your prayers.

daveyg2: please define "f*ckin retard". even if i correct your mispelling by adding a g to you first word i can't figure out what you mean.