I learned about an interesting bit of trivia about the phrase “one nation, under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance this weekend. Here’s what I did know: the pledge was adopted in 1951. Here’s what I didn’t know: it was adopted to differentiate us from the swarms of godless communists trying to take over the world. It really had little to do with the belief that our nation was indeed a nation blessed by God, and it wasn’t really an attempt to say “Glory be God our savior.” It was nothing more than politics. Even more reason to just throw it away.

Here’s another interesting tidbit. When the Supreme Court gets together to hear this case, they will begin that session with the following words:

“God save the United States and this honorable court.”

Really? I wonder how the father that is pushing the pledge to be left out of our schools feels about that? I guess, however, that there is a bit of legal distinction to made. Forcing kids to say the pledge with the words “under God” may force them to say something they truly don’t believe. If a Supreme Court justice has a problem with their little motto, well, they could always just not take part.

Other scary news….

Have you heard about the new deputy undersectary of the Department of Defense (whoa, that’s a mouthful)? General William Boykin seems to believe that he is on a mission from God to protect our Christian nation from the scourge of terrorists guided by Satan himself. He is a well-decorated military officer — his credentials for the position are not in dispute — but he has managed to say things that make Bush’s foreign policy gaffes leading up to the war Iraq look like good ideas. For a sampling of what the general thinks, follow this link.

I think I’m most troubled at his insistence that our nation is a direct descendent of the biblical nation of Israel, and therefore our “destiny” is linked to Israel. Scary stuff.

Posted on 20 October 2003