Not to sound repetetive (although it wouldn't be the first time I was accused of that ), but the pledge states that the nation was founded as one nation, under God ... and the fact of the matter is ... IT WAS!!!

Some people forget that this country was begun by a bunch of people who were seeking the freedom to practice the religion of their choice ... not to escape from practicing religion at all.

Yes ... in the United States you are free to refrain from believing in God. That is a guaranteed Constitutional right and no one would argue that point. HOWEVER, where most people go wrong is they have forgotten that the United States is a democracy. We are ruled by the will of the masses and there is absolutely no doubt that the VAST majority of U.S. citizens belive in a God of some sort. Why then, should the very small minority of people have any influence at all over the majority?

What the Constitution grants you is the right NOT to say the Pledge if you so choose. It does NOT grant you the right to impose that will on others. In fact, by doing so you are turning around and doing exactly what you accuse people of doing to you!

Somewhere along the line people got the idea that the Constitution guarantees you freedom from offense, which it does not. It merely says if something does offend you, you have the right to ignore it, speak out about it, protest it, or whatever else floats your boat, without being persecuted by the Government for it. That's it. No more.

I have no idea when this notion came into being, but it is wrong and eventually a groundswell will come about in American and the silent majority will speak up and put an end to the vocal minority infringing on OUR civil rights.

[ June 27, 2002, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: WDWacky ]