Pledge of Allegiance was fine as originally written

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Date published: 10/2/2005

Stacy Cochrane is upset because Michael Newdow of Sacramento, Calif., wants "under God" stricken from the Pledge of Allegiance ["Atheist hurts all of us for his own myopic reasons," Sept. 19].

Ms. Cochrane seems to believe that parents who do not teach their children about God are irresponsible. She says Judge Karlton is mistaken on his ruling about the words "under God."

Francis Bellamy, who wrote the Pledge, was an ordained Baptist minister. He was a student of Civil War history and wrote the pledge as a reminder to keep our country unified. Religion was not mentioned.

For 62 years, the pledge was recited without "under God," until religious zealots in Congress added those words in 1954.

The '20s, '30s, '40s, and '50s were years of religious intimidation. What congressman was going to vote against "under God" and be called a nonbeliever?

Congress should rescind the words "under God" and put the pledge back in the classrooms. It's that simple.

I still recite the pledge, as follows: "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

What gives Congress the right to change a literary work? The pledge is truly patriotic as originally written. Congress must remove the words "under God."

Thomas Villarial

Spotsylvania

Date published: 10/2/2005