" You're right about Dobson--but aren't you doing the same thing whether you keep the word God, or remove it in the pledge? The same with removing any religious holiday decorations from public places. When a big deal is made by someone over a little of nothing, then the militant thinkers come out of the woodwork. Wouldn't everything be ok if God was left in the pledge, or will our world as we know it end if our children say the word God? That's my point. "

" DD, first, there's no such thing as "global 'NON' warming", you silly man! Secondly, why do you think Religion is so prevalent? Because parents repeat and teach what THEIR parents taught, etc, and on and on. Kids are blank slates; what enters their minds as youth becomes cemented in adulthood and is takes heroic measures to free one's self from--especially when you've been told that death and eternal damnation awaits you if you question it. I should know; I was a Catholic for 30-some years before having the courage to question--and see through-the whole charade. The fact is that even that psycho James Dobson has said that they must get to the children first to secure their political agenda for the future. Besides, what about the fact that the pledge as it exists now is in an ALTERED state from its original form?!?!You'd be the FIRST one to jump all over "Liberals" if they even suggested something like that to, say, even the menu at McDonalds! "

" in school we are given the choice to say the pledge or not. The Kids aren't the ones with the problem... once again it is the parents who believe that their children are being forced or hurt in some way and the truth is that most school kids don't care or mind. Give the people that want to say the pledge the chance to. Saying "under God" once a day isn't going to change anybody's mind on religion. Grow up and stop looking for things to gripe about. Why don't you worry about the fact that we haven't gotten new up to date text books in YEARS! There are so many problems that should come befroe this petty situation. "

" Karl- We're talking about the pledge of alligence, and school children. There is no twisted agenda to warp our young minds into believeing in God. We're not talking about a holy war recruitment ala Jihad Newdow should worry more about things like the global non warming. "

" Sad, DD, that you would call me a "hater" because I stand up for a very basic Constitutional issue. The answer to the question which you pose, why some people object to the use of the word "God" lies in the context of its usage. There are far too many fanatics nowadAys--to say nothing of the past!-who will interject "God" into a dialogue in order to claim or co-opt some alleged endorsement or alliance with an "Ultimate Authority", and who would abuse that power as soon as its even inferred or so much as assumed. People like me "waste the energy" because if we don't, others in the other camp most assuredly will! BTW, how's your back? "

" Funny how people are offended by using the word God. I wonder why people make such a big deal about being against something that they think doesn't exist. Its almost like spraying water on a fire that isn't there, or changing a tire that is not flat--why waste the energy? Why not picket Santa Clause, or the Easter Bunny-- If a person doesn't want to say the pledge, do it like they did when I was in school--leave the room while it is being recited. Do I make a valid point Karl, or am I wrong because I'm not a liberal? I'm waiting for the hater to show up and write. "

" Uhhhh, Leon...This country most most decidedly NOT founded on "Christian ideals". It WAS, I will give you, founded partly with a nod toward DEIST ideals (NOT the same thing!)But nobody's saying that it's forcing specifically "Christian" ideals on kids; it IS however both altering an original document AND teaching impressionable young minds that belief in "God" was somehow intended by the founders and the author of this pledge--don't ya think that if the author had intended to convey that that they woulda wrote it in?!?! "

" Well, seeing as how this country was incontrovertibly founded on Christian ideals, I don't see what all the fuss is about, and I'm not even a Christian. The idea that having to say "under God" in the pledge is somehow forcing Christianity on kids is ludicrous. It's not holding a gun to a kid's head and forcing them to read the bible or believe in Jesus by saying the pledge in its present form. A suggestion I might offer... you don't HAVE to say "under God" when you say the pledge, I always left that part out. Bada-boom, bada-bing. "

" Dear Confused...he wants the pledge returned to its original form; that is without "under God" in it. Funny how deliberately vague the Penird's letter was huh? They want you to believe the guy is just some anti-American nut, and not tell you that he actually has a valid Constitutional point; that the recitation in a PUBLIC school where children are forced to recite this pledge is, like it or not, a governmental imposition of religiousity on the public. This is Newdow's point, even if he is being a little over-the-top about it; he does have a valid point. "

" could someone please explain to me whether he is for protecting the pledge, or against it? I was a little confused by this? "

" Thanks for the "Heads up", Dan and Amy--although I will certainly be contacting my representatives to SUPPORT Mr. Newdow's premise--that the pledge, in it's present, ALTERED form is indeed an unnecessary endorsement of religion and as such, does not represent ALL citizens of America. You DO know that the pledge was altered by an act of Congress during the 50's as a deliberate response to the Soviet Union, right? Therefore, it is NOT in it's original form and should be restored to it's original intent. Shame on you for not being so forthright as to elucidate the reason that Michael Newdow is continuing his fight for justice in America. Your letter is littlr more than hyperbolic fear-mongering in it's present form. "