Editor:
Casey Jacketta’s column in the July 10 Chronicle, titled “Putting God in the Pledge Divides the Nation” summarizes familiar arguments against references to God in the Pledge of Allegiance, which have been renewed with the recent legal case. At the root of all of these arguments is the meaning of the phrase, “separation of church and state.”
The text of the Bill of Rights reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?” Does this mean that any reference to God establishes a state religion?
Perhaps a review of what the founding fathers wrote might give insight into their thoughts.
The Declaration of Independence reads: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…”
George Washington said in his first inaugural address, “It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States…”
It is obvious from these and many other historical documents that this country was founded by people who affirmed a strong belief in a Supreme Being.
If we remove references to God from the Pledge, should we also remove them from all of our coins and bills, from the Declaration of Independence, from prayers offered every day in our courts and from other historical and national documents? Isn’t this effectively forcing one person’s religious beliefs on others?
Mike Holmstrom, Staff, Health Sciences