Eye on Tomorrow Vol. 3 Iss. 1 Political Page

A bout of controversy has hit America. An Atheist man has waged a judicial war against God and the majority of the American population in our government. His base: Separation of Church and State. Where is this "Separation of Church and State?" As a matter of fact, it's in the first Amendment, the same Amendment that gives him the freedom of speech to protest this case. " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or abridging the free exercise thereof…"

This is controversial because other people believe that God should stay in our government because there was a way that our forefathers had made things for us. This, they believe, is the best way.

We made an opinion poll so you can see what is the opinion of some people of the fine country of America.

Roger-age 30( supervisor )~ "I feel it should not be changed because the government ok'd it for the child not to participate in the pledge because of the word "God". I don't believe in a god per se. I believe something did create us. I feel that one person is trying to say what everyone should think."

Joe-age 14~ "I think that just because the Atheist people don't like what we're doing, don't like the 'God' thing, doesn't mean that we should change everything for them. Because of freedom of religion! If they believe that God shouldn't be on things we do, that's their opinion. If they choose to not participate in what we do with the bills, and the pledge, and all that stuff, that's their problem and their choice. In their opinion they may be right, but in mine they aren't. And that's what makes this country great!"

James-age 19~ " In order to accurately argue for the keeping of the Pledge we need to analyze the other side's reasons for possibly wanting it removed or changed.

1) It is infringement upon freedom of belief

2) It is an infringement of Church and State

For both arguments, the removal of the words "One nation under God" could be optional or the Pledge could be optional in schools (students could choose if they want to participate or not.) It could be solved by making it a right of whether or not to say it."

Now, that was the supervisor, and some co-workers. Now here we are, the humble writers of the piece:

Rob (writer)-age 14~ " My opinion is that they have the right to protest, as is stated in the Amendments. But, even though the school said that his child didn't have to participate in the Pledge, he still wanted to take it up one more step, and take the word "God" out of the Pledge completely. But, I believe that he shouldn't be able to do that, due to the fact the word "God" could have an important meaning to other people."

Kevin (writer)- age 14~ " I think that this is absolutely abhorrent. It is my opinion that by taking God out of our lives, we will plummet into an abyss of mistrust, and end up just as misguided, radical, and violent as those people in the Middle East that we are at war with. If we keep doing this, we will end up following an Animal Farm Napoleon, thinking that we have the rights that were robbed from us by the American voting system. We will destroy our freedoms with the pen and ballot. Like the song 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' says: Nothing ever lasts forever. We will destroy our rights through democracy. But, my main concern is that how can one man choose for the rest of the American population. If he wants it a certain way, too bad for us? No, I am an American citizen and my rights to have a majority rule shall not be infringed!"

Now I took it upon myself to go out and interview people on the outside world. Here it is:

Eileen-" I don't think that this is a black and white issue. I don't know who this atheist man is. I think many people cloak themselves in the garment of God. And I think that all they really want to do is have one way for everyone. And it's their way. I think that you need to be very careful when you define things in black and white…like Atheist and God-like. I think that the role God plays in America is healthy. I think we should use the words "under God" (in the Pledge). America was founded on a balance (of Church and State), so I think that it should remain a balance."