Con- Take the phrase 'Under God' out of the pledge of allegiance

The freedoms and rights that the United States flag represents are protective of the Government establishing a religion, or forcing specific religious beliefs upon anyone. The words 'Under God' in our nation's oath, coerce citizens into believing that there is, unquestionably, a God. The reference to the Deity cannot be left aside as a 'ceremonial' phrase, or a history lesson, because it is an oath, and since it refers to God, it could be considered a prayer. Because of Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) the Supreme Court decision that set up 3 rules for separation of church and state, one of which was "there must be no excessive entanglement between government and religion". The words Under God clearly refer to some religious belief, which does not apply to every American citizen.

One could argue that no citizen is forced to recite the pledge. However, whenever the pledge of allegiance is said, these people hear a reference to God, which may make them uncomfortable and even outcast in the eyes of those around them. Children without religion, or citizens of polythiestic religious beliefs sit in school and hear their peers make an oath that they cannot make, even if they wish to express their patriotism, because it professes a religious beleif that they've been taught not to beleive in.

From the beleiver's point of view, the reference to God should not change their opinions about the pledge. By removing the words, no religion will be affected. Religions like Judiasm and Christianity will not be affected by the removal of the words. It's not like they attend church services and begin each one with the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. The bottem line is that religious Americans will not change their beliefs strictly on the removal of the words 'Under God' from the pledge of allegiance, and those who are disturbed by the words, but still wish to express thier patriotism will be comforted.