Untitiled

by Raymond Kufka

In his efforts to impose his thinking upon anyone who may hear him, Tim Fake, professed atheist and critical Free Thinker, states that even the meager reference of our Creator in the Pledge of Allegiance in our public schools is a “ blatant violation of the separation of church and state”. (Gazette 3/27/03)

One can readily surmise that Mr. Fake is well versed in the 1^st Amendment which guarantees the following rights:

People have the right to say and write what they wish, the right to meet together peaceably, and the right to complain to the government. Congress cannot set up an official religion or keep people from worshipping as they wish.

So Mr. Fake can say or write anything he wishes without consequence or reprisal. He also can worship in any manner he chooses. In his case, there must be no reference to a God, Supreme Being or Creator. He is free to omit the words “Under God” when he recites the Pledge of Allegiance.

The 1^st amendment forbids the federal establishment of a national denomination, but does not forbit the entanglement of government and religion. Yet the 9^th Circuit cour has decided that it is unconstitutional to include the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance in our Public Schools. Evidently, this court considers any reference to a God, Supreme Being or Creator constitutes a national religious denomination. Mr. Fake commends the 9^th Circuit court for its tenacity in sustaining its decision. He notes there has been an outrage from every corner of the country since the decision. From my vantage point, the outrage seems to question that any court could come up with such a decision. There is more to come on this issue.

Being a “purist”, Mr. Fake needs to review the precise wording of the Pledge of Allegiance. It is a pledge of loyalty to our land. The words “under God” recognize that a creator made everything that we see, feel, and touch in our daily lives. In our land, everyone is free to their own vision of this Creator. Mr. Fake contends that there is no Creator.

In his personal bias, Mr. Fake contends that the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance should be removed. He has the right to so when he recites the Pledge. In my personal bias, I will continue to include these words when I recite the Pledge. I have the right to do so. Isn’t this a wonderful land that Mr. Fake and I live in?

'Pledge' is to country, not religion

Keep all religion out of school

My response to all of my critics

The author of this article is co-organizer of the Capital District chapter of FUNY.

Contact Tim Fake