One Nation Under God

by Pat Hackney

A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco recently voted 2-1 that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment's prohibition of government sponsorship of religion. This came about because of a case that was filed by a 49-year-old atheist, lawyer, and emergency room doctor who was concerned that his 8-year-old daughter (who was not required to utter a word) would suffer emotional injury and would become an outcast with the other students.

It is interesting to note that this ruling comes at a time when we are honoring the Declaration of Independence and at a time when we are waging war on terrorists. It has always been this writer's opinion that a Democracy should consider what the majority wants. In a recent Newsweek Poll 84% of those polled think references to God are acceptable in schools, government buildings, and other public settings as long as no "specific religion" is mentioned. Since the 1971 ban on public prayer in schools the United States has slowly gotten away from God. This must change.

When the Lord appeared to Solomon to confirm the old covenant, He promised: "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (II Chron. 7:14). May we all be praying that our nation will humble itself and turn to God before it is too late.

• The Role of a Christian in Government -Oct 29, 2006
• Vote Yes, Call 1-800-Walmart, and Bow Down to Stand Up -Oct 29, 2006
• The Sovereignty of God -Sep 05, 2004