by Brandon Jubar

God Declared Unconstitutional!

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary provides the following definition of 'democracy':

1a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority

The online dictionary also gives this definition for 'consensus':

1a : general agreement : UNANIMITY

Many people seem to have forgotten that the founding fathers never believed this country could operate by consensus. Getting EVERYONE to agree would obviously be the ideal, but that is NOT reality... and it's not the way our country was designed.

'Democracy' means that the majority rule. And if the majority of Americans believe in God and are perfectly fine with the Pledge of Allegiance, then it should remain the way it is. There is nothing unconstitutional about it. In fact, our Constitution does not say that there shall be a "separation of church and state". What it says is this:

Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The fact of the matter is that Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802, said that the first amendment effectively built "a wall of separation between church and state". Apparently James Madison said that it "drew a line", but that wasn't catchy enough for us.

Whatever the case, it seems to me that the underlying theme was one of freedom of opinion -- as well as the freedom to express that opinion. The powers of government reach to actions only and should not endeavor to legislate opinion or belief.

So is the phrase "one nation, under God" the first step towards a national religion? Are we heading down that slippery slope towards the National Church of America?

I doubt it. Few Americans trust the government with our tax dollars. Do you think we'll trust them with our souls? Hardly.

No, dear friends, I believe this is merely a case of the majority rule. Christians, Jews, Muslims... all share a common religious ancestry. Though we disagree on many things, at the end of the day we all worship the God of Abraham. I dare say that we believers, therefore, far outnumber those who object to the phrase "one nation, under God".

Of course, we don't force anyone to say the Pledge. And if they say it the old way [without the "under God" part], no one will haul them away to the Traitor Detention Facility or the Heretic Control Center. In fact, if they themselves didn't raise a big stink over it, I doubt that anyone would even notice.

But saying that the phrase "under God" is unconstitutional? What's up with that? Issuing such a judgment basically makes it illegal to pledge allegiance to our country and acknowledge that we believe the gift of our freedom comes from God. This judgment would make it illegal for the majority of Americans to express their opinion and belief on the matter.

Hmmmm. That's sounds a little unconstitutional to me.

Peace,
~Brandon

Sound off! Tell me what you think!
bjubar@ParishWebmaster.com

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
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