Griffin's Law: Removal of "Under God" from Public School System 

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, under G-d, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Written above in the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States of America, bathed in patriotism and hope, this nation's unified motto has reigned true as a symbol of this country's greatness, strong and together, standing as a monument to Liberty, and of course, Justice, to every citizen. This great speech can be heart in the hearts of families, and churches, and sung aloud by school children (sadly, whether they like it or not). 

It has come to my attention that "Under G-d," is making more of a stirring than I had realized, especially with the rise of Religious Freedom, and lack there of of it has come into play. Back in the 90s, as a young school child, I was forced to sing the praise in my public schools, but always felt a strange irking within me during the "Under G-d," portion, and would mouth it silently, feeling as if I was the only one feeling off put by it, and afraid to simply sit down during it, fore I would be teased or outcasted. Little did I know that I wasn't the only one. Even today, I come to find that my little brother just as unhappy as I, for he is going through the same issue, and being punished for it! 

13-year old, Griffin, from a Kansas Public School, has been punished, sent out of class, to the principal, and even given detention over the past six months for refusal to submit to his school's religious intolerance. Rather than mouthing the words quietly during the speech, or even making a mockery of it by changing the words to something childish and rude, he has chosen to sit quietly during the speech, and has been publicly ridiculed daily, but not only his peers, but his very own teachers. 

He says that he is told that everyone's religion should be respected and even tolerated all the time by TV, newspapers, and teachers, but when it comes to his right to be an Atheist, he isn't given an option. 

Some people who are ignored by the United State's Pledge of Allegiance (religioustolerance.org):

- Atheists (whom have no awareness of the existence of G-d)- Agnostics (who are undecided about the existence of G-d)- Buddhists (who generally have no belief in a personal G-d)- Deists (believe G-d created everything, then departed, and therefore is no longer present)- Humanists (base beliefs/practices on secular considerations) - Ethical Culturalists (base beliefs/practices on secular considerations) - Jews (some who tend to oppose all government involved in religion, due to centuries of Christian persecution) - Theists (some who object to state-sponsored items with religious content) - Religious Liberals (who are religious but rigorously defend the principal of a complete separation of Church from State) - Wiccans/Pagans (polytheism)- Romans/Greeks/Indians (polytheism) (and the list goes on.... ) 

I feel that "Under G-d" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance read along in public school (Religious Private schools being the exemption), because it creates an unhealthy ideal of who G-d is. 

Example (religioustolerance.org): 

Imagine, for a moment, that you are a Jewish student. You have the choice of:

1. Reciting a pledge that an Atheist -- a person who has no belief in the existence of a God -- wrote: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, without God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
2. Refusing to recite it, and leaving yourself open to being belittled, harassed, insulted, assaulted, etc.

As the Pledge of Allegiance Restoration Project writes: "Would you repeat all the words? Would you skip over the phrase "without God?" Would it make you feel comfortable about being an American?" Or, as one person posting to a forum said, would you recite "under all."

I protest that "Under G-d" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools to show the children that everyones choice is valid. Religion is a beautiful thing, and should be respected, by letting children miss school for important religious holidays and by displaying charms, amulets, and fashion relating to their freedom, but when it is forced upon children daily in the Allegiance, the government's sense of Church and State has gone too far. 
If you are still not convinced or concerned, than please, consider this: 

• The phrase is "under God." It is not "under Rama," "under Allah," "under "Ahura Mazda," "under Krishna," or "under the Goddess." This implies that the full weight of the government and school system is behind the concept of the deity of Jehovah and Jesus Christ.

• Consider the fate of children who do not believe in the existence of a personal God. These include children who are (or who are the sons and daughters of) Agnostics, Atheists, some Buddhists, Ethical Culturalists, Humanists, secularists, most Unitarian Universalists, etc.

• Consider also the fate of children who believe in a God who is different from the Judeo-Christian deity. The phrase is telling them that the government and school board thinks that their God does not exist.

• Consider what Christian and Jewish students will feel: that the government and school considers their God to be paramount. The result is to accentuate religious differences among students. The beliefs of Jewish and Christian students are given support; this promotes Christian triumphalism. The beliefs of other students are denigrated. This produces hurt feelings and anger.

If you believe in Griffin, and the freedom from and for Religious choice, and the separation of Church from State regarding this matter, then please, cast your voice.