One Nation, Indivisible…

Since one of the driving influences of starting this blog in the first place was to speak out in favor of a Secular nation in which there is a clear separation between church and state, I find it fitting that I discuss the ongoing Pledge of Allegiance Massachusetts Court Battle:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/pledge-of-allegiance-court-battle-massachussetts_n_3869257.html?ir=Religion

               I was waiting for the day that someone would finally step up and fight against such an intrusion of our personal freedom as Americans.  It is a great day, indeed, to see this injustice opposed.  What is even more amazing is the 97% of Americans out of over 3 million votes who agree that “under God” should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/04/20327848-pledge-of-allegiance-challenged-in-massachusetts-supreme-court

               I do not understand how such blatant disregard for the separation of church and state could have gone on unopposed for as long as it has, let alone being allowed in the first place.  Even so, the fact that the American Humanist Society is now taking a stand now is something I find very admirable indeed.  I’m proud to count myself among them.

               This, however, is merely the first step down a long road of fighting such theocratic ideals.  Abolishing “In God we Trust” as our national motto, removing invocations and prayers from government functions, and overturning state bans prohibiting Atheists from running for office should be next in the war for secularism.  

               While nowhere in the Constitution is the phrase “separation of church and state”, it is adherent to the 1^st Amendment:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion…” is all that needs to be said on this matter.  By passing bills that make “In God we Trust” the national motto or adding “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance our government has directly violated the very Constitution it affirms to uphold.  Those who founded this country did so on the principle that true freedom would be had by ensuring that religion was kept out of government hands.  They wanted to avoid the theocratic state of affairs that caused the first settlers to come over to this land in the first place.  Religious persecution has no business in our present times, especially within our government.  The repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act was yet another triumph in returning our country to its former glory.  This fight is not over yet; there are still many battles to be fought.  But I am glad to see this fight push on during my lifetime.  I believe that we, as a country, need to speak up more than just in a NBC survey on these matters.  If we do not win this fight regarding the Pledge of Allegiance we need to push onward even harder than before.  It is our duty as citizens to ensure that infringements upon our constitutional rights not be tolerated any longer.  I, for one, am tired of having “God” forced into my life daily.  Even if you believe in God and therefore are not bothered by such things you must look at it from a different perspective; what if “God” were replaced with “Zeus” or “Buddha” or even “Odin”?  Would you tolerate such a thing?  This isn’t an attack on religion.  It is a fight for your freedom of religion or lack thereof for the rest of us.  If you find yourself preaching about your rights to free speech, or of the press, or the right to peaceably assemble then just remember that all of these things are a part of this same amendment.  To think any differently about religion is to contradict yourself in a manner of hypocrisy.