Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Godless Dave · 07-02-2002, 07:03 AM

Several letters supporting the ruling have been published in the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/3030421.html" target="_blank">Minnesota Star-Tribune</a>. The link is for today's letters, but you'll find more if you go back to previous days.

Jobar · 07-02-2002, 07:58 AM

Bill, do you have caller ID? You might think of calling her back, and if she has a computer, invite her here!

David Bowden · 07-02-2002, 09:20 AM

'Nuther update: local newspaper #2 (a weekly) is going to print my letter in their next edition.

This particular paper tends to reach pretty far left and tries to maintain its "underground" image, so I may be preaching to the choir for the most part, but if it shapes a few minds even a little bit, then it was worth sending. And it doesn't hurt to remind the rest of the readers why compromise or "ignoring" the offensive words isn't really a solution. At least more and more readers will know why, in all fairness, "under God" should not appear in our pledge at the order of Congress.

(Sheesh! I've become quite an evangelist for this cause!)

-Wanderer

Starspun · 07-02-2002, 10:53 AM

I plagerized you guys in a letter to the editor. I hope you dont mind. I also hope it gets published. You 2 have put my thoughts into words better than I ever could. Thanks!

Secular Jeff · 07-03-2002, 07:37 PM

I also copied your stuff. This is what was published in the Wednesday, 3 July edition of the Colorado Springs, CO Gazette:

Original pledge could bring us together

A federal court found that the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance represent an endorsement of religious belief, and therefore violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. The original pledge, written by Francis Bellamy more than 100 years ago, didn't contain those words. They were added in 1954, during the McCarthy era. The reasoning was that since most communists were also atheists, "under God" would demonstrate that America didn't support communism.

We are a nation of Christians, Muslims, and Jews, but we are also a nation of Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, and many others. "Under God" doesn't belong in our Pledge any more than it did when first written.

In this time of increasing diversity, we should be seeking unity, not division. Americans of all religious convictions, and those with none, should be able to pledge their allegiance to this great nation without having to abandon their First Amendment rights.

The addition to the pledge was made at a time when our fear of communism overruled our reason and trust in the ideals of the Founders. The additions should be removed and America should get its original pledge back, a pledge every American, regardless of religion, can say with pride and integrity.

Jeff Lucas
Colorado Springs

This evening, I received a phone call from an 84 year old gentleman who congratulated and thanked me for the letter!

Thanks guys.

Jeff

[ July 03, 2002: Message edited by: Secular Jeff ]</p>

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07-02-2002, 07:03 AM	#11
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Several letters supporting the ruling have been published in the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/3030421.html" target="_blank">Minnesota Star-Tribune</a>. The link is for today's letters, but you'll find more if you go back to previous days.

07-02-2002, 07:58 AM	#12
Jobar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: secularcafe.org Posts: 9,525	Bill, do you have caller ID? You might think of calling her back, and if she has a computer, invite her here!

07-02-2002, 09:20 AM	#13
David Bowden Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Everywhere I go. Yes, even there. Posts: 607	'Nuther update: local newspaper #2 (a weekly) is going to print my letter in their next edition. This particular paper tends to reach pretty far left and tries to maintain its "underground" image, so I may be preaching to the choir for the most part, but if it shapes a few minds even a little bit, then it was worth sending. And it doesn't hurt to remind the rest of the readers why compromise or "ignoring" the offensive words isn't really a solution. At least more and more readers will know why, in all fairness, "under God" should not appear in our pledge at the order of Congress. (Sheesh! I've become quite an evangelist for this cause!) -Wanderer

07-02-2002, 10:53 AM	#14
Starspun Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 334	I plagerized you guys in a letter to the editor. I hope you dont mind. I also hope it gets published. You 2 have put my thoughts into words better than I ever could. Thanks!

07-03-2002, 07:37 PM	#15
Secular Jeff Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 609	I also copied your stuff. This is what was published in the Wednesday, 3 July edition of the Colorado Springs, CO Gazette: Original pledge could bring us together A federal court found that the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance represent an endorsement of religious belief, and therefore violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. The original pledge, written by Francis Bellamy more than 100 years ago, didn't contain those words. They were added in 1954, during the McCarthy era. The reasoning was that since most communists were also atheists, "under God" would demonstrate that America didn't support communism. We are a nation of Christians, Muslims, and Jews, but we are also a nation of Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, and many others. "Under God" doesn't belong in our Pledge any more than it did when first written. In this time of increasing diversity, we should be seeking unity, not division. Americans of all religious convictions, and those with none, should be able to pledge their allegiance to this great nation without having to abandon their First Amendment rights. The addition to the pledge was made at a time when our fear of communism overruled our reason and trust in the ideals of the Founders. The additions should be removed and America should get its original pledge back, a pledge every American, regardless of religion, can say with pride and integrity. Jeff Lucas Colorado Springs This evening, I received a phone call from an 84 year old gentleman who congratulated and thanked me for the letter! Thanks guys. Jeff [ July 03, 2002: Message edited by: Secular Jeff ]</p>

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