Defense of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is almost invariably based upon falsehoods and distortions. More often than not people argue that the phrase is necessary because this nation was founded as a Christian nation and/or because an acknowledgment of God is central to our political system. While that may be true for politicians today, it wasn't the way America was founded.

Peter Miguel Camejo writes in the San Francisco Chronicle:

One of the many reasons that our founders insisted on freedom of religion and the separation of church and state is that they were not Christians but lived in a nation of Christians. Most Americans are unaware that many of our early presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and George Washington, as well as great patriots such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Ethan Allen, did not consider themselves Christians. Their views often were carefully camouflaged in public for fear of reprisal but quite clear in their private correspondence.

While many religious groups have suffered discrimination, such as the Jews and, today, Muslims in America and Europe, the group who has suffered the longest and most generic oppression is of those who reject religion. In the past, those who openly challenged religious beliefs faced having their tongues pierced with red-hot irons (British law), or long imprisonment, banishment or torture and death. When Jefferson first dared to question religion, the law was death for holding the views he advocated.

Religion is the business of individuals, not of the government. Religion is not something that the government has authority over, such that it can recommend particular beliefs, particular ideas, and so on. Freedom of religion benefits everyone, but especially minorities because they are the ones who are most susceptible to the ravages of a majority.

Read More:

• Secularism 101
• Separation of Church and State 101