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"Under God": Just A Placeholder?
by Whym Rhymer
Originally posted to BNN 3/12/2005
The Religion Section of the Argus Leader presents an interesting argument for removing the words "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance . . . even more interesting is that the article was written by the Rev. Steve Corum, a clinical pastoral educator.
Ironically, Rev, Corum cites the U.S. Supreme Court's written decision, which supported keeping the words "Under God" in the pledge, as a logical reason for removing those words.
"Chief Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist," Corum argues, claimed "the pledge with the God phrase is 'not a religious exercise.' Justice Sandra Day O'Connor," he continues, "opined that the phrase is a 'simple reference for a generic 'God.' She then went on to say the phrase is 'Inconsequential' in any religious weight or significance. She concluded by calling it 'ceremonial deism.'"
"Thoughtful Christians," Rev. Corum summarizes, "also should want the pledge to be returned to its original form. Otherwise, we perpetuate a charade of embracing a henotheistic God and cheapening our own faith language."
(Note: Henotheism (from Greek heis theos, “one god”) refers to a belief in worship of one god while granting the existence of other gods.)
It's a powerful argument, especially considering that it's source is a minister. Especially appealing to me is the phrase Corum uses: "thoughtful Christians." Not to turn this post into an anti-religious rant but there seem to be far too many Christians who refuse to think outside the "box" of the church.
Whym Rhymer blogs at Whymrhymer 101.
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