One Nation Under Who?

The Nation's pledge reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I see the "under God" portion of the pledge used as a reference point to support the idea that the US of A is a "Christian" nation. 

Here's another history lesson (I'm SUCH a nerd for this).

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist (yes, SOCIALIST!) minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in ANY country.
In its original form it read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times (dang Commies), President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. (Interestingly, Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration though I still can't determine why exactly). 

Personally I don't take a whole lot of the issue with the phrase "under God"... it does not offend me.  Though I see the potential for a sticky wicket.  God, for me, has the potential to be broad enough that it can mean many things to many different people.  For our Jewish brothers and sisters, God may be the same as YHWH (English alliteration of the Hebrew for Yahweh).  For our Muslim brothers and sisters, God may be the same as Allah.  For our deist or "other" brothers and sisters, God can mean a general concept of the divine.  It's when we get to the Atheists that things can get sticky... and requires a touch more consideration.  And perhaps, for this reason alone, makes the pledge an exclusive one.  I'm not a fan exclusivity. 

In that vein, I do not believe the phrase "under God" to be a religious one.  It's not a confession of a nation's faith or morality.  Rather, it's a confession of a nation's intended unity under a supreme Guide if you will... aaaaaaand in response to the Communist threat (which was also largely driven by fear, let's not kid ourselves here.)

Furthermore, I take no issue with anyone believing whatever they want to about the religious identity of the country they live in... I only take issue when it's pushed on others as the only way to go about doing, seeing, thinking, touching, relating, etc.  If what we are taught in school is true, and those before us settled here in this land to flee religious persecution and establish religious freedom, wouldn't it be logical (and true to the foundation of this place we call US of A) to continue that path? 

Allowing others to believe as they see fit is not an act of condoning on your part.  It's an act of respecting, communing and loving-the-neighbor-as-you-love-yourself-ing.  It's not betraying your convictions or beliefs, it's putting some scary-ass back bone behind being in community with people who may need your kindness, your support and friendship.  This is the real meat and potatoes of it all.  I believe it was St. Francis who said "Preach the gospel at all times; and when necessary, use words."  The Bible says that God does not give a spirit of fear. 

Go with that.  Trust that.  I challenge you =)