Editorial

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.

One nation, under God:
Judges don't understand our history or Constitution

Most of us remember reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance" as students. For those of us attending school after 1954, the words "under God" are the only version we know.

That's because those two words were added to the pledge in 1954 at the instigation of the Knights of Columbus. Both houses of Congress adopted the legislation unanimously. On June 14, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the measure into law.

In a letter to the Knights of Columbus, Eisenhower explained why he supported the provision. "These words, 'under God,' will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble," said the president.

One nation under God. After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Eisenhower's words seem even more meaningful. Without a strong reliance on faith in God, even the strongest nation will crumble and fall. We only have to look to the history of the Roman Empire to see what can happen to a godless regime.

The United States has been "one nation under God" since its beginnings. Belief in God was acknowledged in our early documents, on our money, and in artwork displayed in governmental buildings. Legislative and judicial sessions have always opened with prayer.

The First Amendment to the Constitution cautions against the establishment of a state religion: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The second part of that statement clearly calls for the right of all Americans to worship freely.

Appeals court ruling. Now two judges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have shown their lack of understanding of the Constitution and our nation's history. In a 2-1 decision June 26, the court declared the words "under God" in the pledge unconstitutional.

Their ruling came in a case involving an atheist parent who said it was a violation of the Constitution for his daughter to listen to her classmates recite the pledge. Yet, he wants to violate the rights of all the other students to recite the pledge as it is written!

Hopefully the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn the appeals court decision. The U.S. Senate already voted 99-0 to support the words "under God" in the pledge, and President George W. Bush called the court ruling "ridiculous."

As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our country on July 4th, let us pray that our country's leaders will continue to turn to God, to rely on spiritual guidance in these difficult times. Let us remain "one nation under God" - in whatever way we worship him.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

To the editor:

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

News magazine and television accounts of the sex abuse scandal are rife. Nearly every week we learn of priests accused of unspeakable acts. We learn also of bishops who have tried to quiet the scandal by transferring the priests where they commit the same sin again, at grave injury to their victims and at great scandal to the church.

It is well to remember that the accounts of the sex abuse scandal reveal as much about the reporters' and commentators' views of the church as it does about the story. Steven Brill has written, "When it comes to arrogance, power, and lack of accountability, journalists are probably the only people on the planet who make lawyers look good."

The media is not without plans for church reforms. Reforms they are sure will rescue the church from further difficulties in the future. One talk show hostess suggested that we should get rid of priestly celibacy "NOW!" (My limited reading in psychology suggests that marriage is not a remedy for pedophilia.) The tone and tenor of the program led me to suspect that it was (like many of its kind) shaped by the host's views rather than by any desire to inform the listener.

My Irish grandfather used to encourage people by saying, "Keep the faith." So "Keep the faith" by telling the priest or bishop how much you appreciate their tireless work for all of us. Remember they are part of the vast majority who have kept their vows and are and will be untouched by scandal.

"Keep the faith" by praying for the priests and others touched by this fearsome scandal. "Keep the faith" by remembering that, awful as these times may be, the church in 2,000 years has survived worse. "Keep the faith" by recalling that men and women - imperfect as they often are - have failed the church, but the church has never failed them.

It would help everyone if they could recall John Paul II's words from the sermon on his inauguration Mass, "Be not afraid."

Michael B. Lybarger, Madison

Jay Leno's comedy in poor taste

To the editor:

As a Catholic I abhor the so-called comedy Jay Leno exhibited during two separate broadcasts recently.

Using the tragedy within the Catholic Church as comedic material wasn't only in bad taste but was hurtful to all.

Be assured that I will no longer watch his program, but I'm asking friends and relatives to tune him out also.

Disgusted,
Miriam Runde, Platteville