Greetings, all! Here are my humble and mostly un-informed opinions, so I appreciate your patience...

The term "under God" I believe to be valuable to our nation, in that it reminds us that we are not unaccountable; we are accountable to something else, something other; I would say "someone" else, a higher power, a Creator, Designer, Judge…an "Absolute", if you will, though one with personhood. Our actions as a nation are judged in a Higher Court, as are the actions of all nations. It is interesting to hear astronomers nowadays speak on the issue of deity; many peer into the outer reaches of spacetime and are convinced that there is a design to it all, and therefore, a Designer (cf. "Space and Spirit," Baltimore Sun; June 9, 2002). The founders of the Constitution did not say this was the Christian God because many (esp. Jefferson) were simply theists. Anyway, this belief in Accountability may not be popular with many of you…that's o.k., those who disagree can exercise their right not to say those two words, or choose to except full responsibility for the education of their children and teach them at home.

Leveller, I don't think the 2nd commandment can be applied to the Pledge of Allegiance, though the Jehovah's Witnesses would indeed make that case. I show allegiance to my wife, though I don't worship her; I show allegiance to my softball team, though I don't worship it. Actually, in this age of technology, it makes sense to pledge allegiance to a flag, since our culture has become very visually oriented, and thus symbol-oriented (anyone notice that you don't see the word "Nike" anymore…just the swoosh?) The flag is a symbol of the "republic for which it stands," and it is neither "propaganda" nor "indoctrination" to teach children loyalty to something other than themselves; in this case, to a nation that has provided much for them, despite all of its flaws. (Is not a nation comprised of people? Let's show her some grace…) Nor is the flag a graven image used to replace God, or to be a visual representation of God or of any other deity.

Liland, the I agree with the problem you face with "tolerance" as a virtue; it simply seems impossible…when tolerance is the highest virtue, than absolutes cannot be tolerated. It contradicts itself.

Little Hawk, can a country be "one nation…indivisible," and still be comprised of vastly different parts and ideas ("diversity")? How would this differ from our nation?

Lastly, Jim Dixon, next time you are in Annapolis, MD, come to Chick and Ruth's Deli (Annapolis' favorite dive) for breakfast where every morning the Pledge of Allegiance is spoken at 8:30am. And if it's a concern to anyone, they will still serve you eggs if you don't COMPLY, ha ha.