These two words were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance during the Red Scare of the '50s, I guess, to distinguish us from those godless Commies. Unfortunately they got the logic wrong and many people believed that if you didn't believe in God you must be a Commie, or at least some sort of enemy. What would have been better and more truthful is if they had inserted "Under The Almighty Dollar". That way the religious diversity that is America would not be a matter of current debate and the Pledge would be more realistic to the fabric that is America.

Under Heaven

From Reuters: "Pope Says Sundays for God, Not Sports" - "When Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes subordinate to a secular concept of 'weekend' dominated by such things as entertainment and sport, people stay locked within a horizon so narrow that they can no longer see the heavens," the pontiff said in a speech to Australian bishops.

Locked within a horizon so narrow - if that is not the very definition of most if not all religious-based mindsets. His statement could be easily re-wroded to read: "When Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes subordinate to a secular concept of 'weekend' dominated by such things as religious practices, people stay locked within a horizon so narrow that they can no longer see the heavens."

I guess Freedom of Thought is only for the rich and powerful. The rest of us are expected to be un-educated and obedient to the Religious leaders, Political Leaders, and Mass Marketers. Our existence will be limited to working, to paying taxes, and watching mindless entertainment until we die. The wonderful outdoors, the "Heavens" will belong to those who can afford the permits, who can afford to get away from civilization.

They could at least legalize drugs...