DON'T BUY PEPSI IN THE NEW CAN ! (MISSING "UNDER GOD")

[Sarah Fox]

Hi Elwood,

> Read the First Amendment sectuib that deals with the "establishment of
> religiion.".  Nothing in there about "separation of church and state" nor
> was that the original intent..

I believe that would be...

"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."

So when Congress signs a bill that modifies a national pledge to include
"God," is that not not the establishment of religion?  When our children are
told to recite the pledge every morning and profess their belief in God, is
that not government mandated religion?  Even at a baseball game, when
everyone recites the pledge, isn't there coercion at play, when someone who
doesn't believe in God must either choose to profess his belief in God or
remain silent, drawing stares, appearing unpatriotic, and making himself
appear suspect?  Is this not a freedom of speech issue, as well as a freedom
of religion issue?

More seriously, when I go to court and am required to place my hand on a
Bible and say "so help me God," is that not government mandated religion?
What if I don't believe in God?  Do I not have the freedom not to believe in
God?  What if I'm one of those ultraconscientious people who feels an oath
to tell the truth should not include a lie?  What if I refuse to take the
oath in the form that is required?  Are you aware that I could go to prison
(contempt of court) for not professing my belief in God in a court of law?

The law does not protect agnostics such as myself.  The law even further
discriminates against atheists.

Is there a god?  Dunno...  I think there might be.  But darn it all, must I
be required to profess beliefs I don't know if I have, in order not to
appear unpatriotic and/or avoid going to jail?  It's rather sick, when you
think about it.

I like the pledge in its previous form.  If Pepsi were to take a political
stand and print the pledge the old way, I might just have to switch from
Coke, to which I am hopelessly addicted.  ;-)

Peace,
Sarah