Posted 6:52 AM by Bonnie

From Tuesday Newday:

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Welcome to Tuesday Newsday! Each Tuesday I will post a subject related to an issue in the news, links to articles about that issue, and questions about the issue. If you choose to participate, you will write a response on your own blog and post the link here. You're welcome to try to respond in comments, but the text is limited and you may find it frustrating. As far as the response, think of the subject as a writing prompt, not something you have to answer directly.


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Tuesday, June 15, 2004
god and country
Fifty years ago the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance. Yesterday, the Supreme Court threw out a case to remove them, not because it disagreed, but on a technicality, avoiding having to make an opinion on this issue. This issue has come up over and over during the past decades.

Another recurring issue that has come up again recently has to do with praying before football games, and other sporting events.

So, my questions are:

1. Do you think public Christian prayer is acceptable in a country that preaches acceptance of all, or no, religion?

No, I do not think it is acceptable. We have to remember that America was once called the melting pot because all nationalities, religions, races, etc. lived together here and to live in the harmony our govt. likes to pretend we have we have to accept different religions and respect them. By having a christian prayer before a sporting event, which makes no sense, because even if there is a god do you think that entity would care who won or lost a sporting event? Anyway, whatever happened to the moment of silence that allowed the freedom of praying (if one wanted) or meditation or maybe just standing there doing nothing if that is what the person wants. We need to ge back to the freedom part of America and the so-called Christians need to realize they are not the only ones living here.

2. Do you think the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance overstep the separation of church and state.

Yes and no. Every religion, except atheism, believes in a god in one form or another. When I was in school and at one point stopped believing in god I simply skipped over that word and said, one nation (pause) indivisible..etc etc etc... my suggestion is we change God to god to incorporate god in all forms. After all some people worship money and that is their god and one nation under money stands true for us. Also, give the children a choice and not punish those who choos not to say under god in the pledge. Again...we have to get back the freedom part of living in a free country.

I know these are two different issues, so if you only feel like answering one, so be it!

Good blogging to all!