Reply #16: OK, then. You're one of those people who [View All]

[MineralMan]

put strong extra emphasis on the phrase "under God," when you say the Pledge of Allegiance? Why? What are you trying to say to me, standing next to you? I don't include the phrase, because I'm an atheist and saying that would be a lie from me. It would make the pledge a lie. So, I say it as it was written, not as it was modified in 1954. I say it as I learned it, without reference to religion, because this country does not have an official religion.

But, you, standing next to me, over-emphasize the "under God" phrase. What am I to take from that? Do you disapprove of my atheism? Do you want to send me a message?

Include the phrase if that's your choice. But just say it in the same voice you say the rest of the Pledge. To do otherwise is a threat to me, since I believe in our Constitution, which removes religious tests from all citizenship or qualification for public office.

Don't threaten me, please. I don't respond well to that.

And, nobody mouthed the words "under God" in that video. They wouldn't have thought of it, since the phrase was not added until four years later.