I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America because:

                For over 200 years my flag has flown from Valley Forge to Afghanistan proudly displaying faith, courage and sacrifice for my country.  "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"  (John 15:13).

                My country's progress has been based on biblical principles, emphasizing the importance of being a guide for the future.  "Righteousness exalteth a nation:  but sin is a reproach to any people"  (Proverbs 14:34).

                My flag represents a refuge for oppressed people all over the world.  "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble"  (Psalm 9:9).

                "Old Glory" symbolizes hope for the hopeless, rest for the weary and happiness for the soul.  "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God"  (Psalm 146:5).

                This flag has been a silent witness in all of America's finest hours and it will continue to stand because of the many God-fearing brave Americans who make America strong.  "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"  (James 5:16).

                I treat my flag with honor and respect.  Along with God's Word, it is a "banner over me with love," (Song of Solomon 2:4) for where there is love there is freedom!

                Our flag represents the forefathers' faith in God and country.  Consider the statements of these previous leaders taken from The Bible Friend, July-August 1994 and used by permission:

                Patrick Henry:  "If I could leave each of my children a million dollars, but could not leave them a heritage of faith in God, I would leave them nothing of value and unfit to face life... the Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed."

                Thomas Jefferson:  "The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty....I have always said, I always will say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands."

                Horace Greeley:  "It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people.  The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom."

                Andrew Jackson:  "That book (the Bible) sir, is the rock on which our Republic rests."

                Daniel J. Brewer:  "Any individual or institution that could take the Bible to every home in this country would do more for the country than all the armies from the beginning of our history to the present time."

                Theodore Roosevelt:  "Mere education without divine guidance is like handing a gun to an irresponsible man."

                One woman caused the removal of prayer in school.  One man would cause "one nation under God" to be removed from our Pledge of Allegiance.  I thought the majority is supposed to rule in a democracy.  What will be next?  Prohibiting the singing of "God Bless America" or America, the Beautiful?"  There is one thing for certain I have noticed.  In the midst of a severe crisis like 9-ll, no one doesn't dare run out there and say:  "Stop!  You can't pray in a public place.  You can't say the Pledge of Allegiance.  You can't sing "God Bless America" or "America, the Beautiful."  It infringes on my rights.".                  What about our rights?  Aren’t we a majority?  Something is seriously wrong here.  We can burn our flag, but not say “one nation under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance?  Give me a break!  It seems to me this plays right into the enemy’s hand, at a time when we need to pull together.

                Can't you just imagine the terrorists' gloat and glee over such a controversy?  They would like nothing better than to remove the One and only true God from public life, making their attempted conquest easier.

                As for me, I will say the Pledge of Allegiance, including "one nation under God!"