God and public discourse.In December 2003, Church & State printed an article by Erwin Chemerinsky Erwin Chemerinsky (born 1953) is a well-known professor of Constitutional law and federal civil procedure, has recently accepted a position at the University of California, Irvine, in the new Donald Bren School of Law, beginning in 2009. opposing the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance, in full, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, oath that proclaims loyalty to the United States. and its national symbol. ("One Nation Under The Constitution," December 2003 Church & State). AU seems to be supporting that position. As a long-time supporter of AU, I appreciate all that has been done to maintain the wall of separation between governments and churches, thereby strengthening both. There are times, however, when that separation becomes more of a fine line than a wall. I think that changing the Pledge is just such a situation. AU often quotes Thomas Jefferson as the father of the wall of separation as well as the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson often referred to God, both in the Declaration and elsewhere, without concerns of breaching the wall of separation or compromising church or state. His writings and words indicate that he felt God's existence is an undeniable fact of life, like gravity or love. In fact, without acknowledging God's supremacy as the Creator, the Creator, the common sobriquet for God. [Pop. Usage: Misc.] See : God Declaration of Independence would lose much of its legitimacy and force. Who or what else could endow us with inalienable rights The term inalienable rights (or unalienable rights) refers to a theoretical set of human rights that are fundamental, are not awarded by human power, and cannot be surrendered. They are by definition, rights retained by the people. ? I hope that AU's current policy of opposing all references to God in public discourse becomes tempered by a realization that atheism atheism (ā`thē-ĭz'əm), denial of the existence of God or gods and of any supernatural existence, to be distinguished from agnosticism, which holds that the existence cannot be proved. is a belief system just like religion. While both the Constitution and AU are rightfully committed to opposing the establishment of any religion, removing all references to God in government can be reasonably viewed as establishing an atheistic a·the·is·tic also a·the·is·ti·cal adj. 1. Relating to or characteristic of atheism or atheists. 2. Inclined to atheism. a philosophy. Steven Wennerstrom Heathrow, Fla. Editor's note Editor's Note (foaled in 1993 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat. Trained by D. : Americans United does not oppose all references to God in public discourse, but we strongly believe that public school children should not be asked to make a religious affirmation--that America is "one nation under God"--as the price of expressing loyalty to this country. That's quite different from recognizing that American historical documents make occasional references to God or "the Creator." We believe Jefferson, James Madison and other religious liberty advocates among our nation's Founders would have opposed the 1954 congressional addition of "under God" to the Pledge as an inappropriate interference with religious freedom. |
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