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"One nation, UNDER GOD…?" I have two very sweet daughters. One of them is in the first grade. I recently attended an assembly to see her get the Principal's Award for her first six weeks of studies. While I, along with a sea of other parents, waited patiently for the children to enter the gymnasium, the Principal's voice on the loud speaker directed us to "please stand for the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance." Scores of memories flooded my mind. In my mind's eye, my first grade teacher was standing in front of me smiling with her hand over her heart leading my classmates and me in this routine oath. A smile crept over my face as I stood up. The aromas of lunch being prepared in the cafeteria down the hall sifted into the gym as every parent stood in accordance with the Principal's request and placed their hand over their hearts. A warm feeling overcame me as we all in unison began, " I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…" For me, the pledge, in this setting carried a sense of pride AND heavy heartedness that was perhaps not felt by the person standing next to me. The pride was because I am proud to be a Christian, a mom, and an American. This school setting made me so happy that I had and my children have these opportunities for education and freedom . But I also felt tears burn my eyes as I got to the line, "One nation, under God..." As a record promoter for one of Southern Gospel's most adored male trios, The Booth Brothers, I have been educated through the lyrics of their latest single, "Under God" of the possible ramifications of a recent court ruling brought about by one individual in California, who feels it is unconstitutional to recite the words "under God" in the Pledge. This ruling will now be heard by our nation's highest Court's sometime next year. On October 14, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear the case that will decide whether the phrase "under God", recited by generations of schoolchildren, is an unconstitutional blending of church and state. WHAT? I'm sorry, did you say unconstitutional? I stood there, tears on my cheek, mechanically reciting "With liberty and justice for all…" "Thank you, you may be seated," said the Principal's voice over the loud speaker. I slowly sat down wiping my cheek. The meaning of what could possibly happen if one man, who doesn't believe in God, got his way and the Pledge was changed to exclude the words "under God" came to the front of my brain. In case you have not followed this case, the words "under God" were added to our Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 when the world war scenario moved from hot to cold, and was said by supporters of this addition to "set the United States apart from godless communism." Last year, an atheist father convinced several lower courts AND the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California that the phrase "under God" was unconstitutional according to his 1st amendment rights. The case has now been presented to the US Supreme Court for a final ruling sometime next year. Should the Supreme Court uphold this ruling, our pledge will be stripped of any reference of God. "Under God" songwriters Phil Johnson and Sue C. Smith saw the potential consequences of such a ruling when they collaborated on this song. They set out to write a message that would bring awareness to our rights as Americans, evoke a sense of pride and give Christians a battle cry that would represent them standing up for what they stand for in this Country. The Booth Brothers' song "Under God" is so much more than "just another patriotic tune"- it's a song for everyday- TODAY- more than ever. This statement is evident by our current events and by radio station's heavy airplay. If you have attended one of the Booth Brothers' concerts, you have witnessed first hand how this song affects people on a very emotional level. Very long, enthusiastic and sometimes tearful standing ovations have become the "norm" rather that the "exception" at every Booth Brothers' concert, including their performance at the National Quartet Convention in September. Sadly in our lifetime, God seems to be "disappearing" from our everyday life. Prayer is no longer allowed in the classroom or even on a ball field or sporting event if is school sponsored. A moment of prayer has been replaced with the verbiage, "A moment of silence". When I was a student and an athlete, these were moments when I really gave thanks and honor to the Lord, who gave me these opportunities. Now, it seems like the voice of a few have become the loudest, and once again the threat to remove God is in the forefront. So, I'll ask this of you. November is a month of many events. Two of which are directly related to this issue; Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 27). Since the Booth Brothers' song, "Under God" has a patriotic vein running through it, request the song at your local Southern Gospel radio station in honor of those who have given their lives for our freedoms. In addition, Thanksgiving is a time where we give thanks for the freedoms that we so generously enjoy. I challenge you to be a force in your community now and going forward. You can make a difference just like this song does and together you can create a ripple of awareness. Call your radio station and request "Under God" to be played every hour that the station is on the air until a verdict is passed in this case! Tell the DJ that you want to be heard about the recent court ruling regarding our Pledge of Allegiance. Set a good example in your own household that GOD MATTERS even if a few don't think He does. Go see the Booth Brothers in concert or write or e-mail them and tell them that you support them and their efforts to bring awareness to the masses. (www.boothbrothers.com) Pray for our country and for our leaders that they will be discerning in their decisions. Finally, recite the Pledge of Allegiance without the words "under God" in it… it just doesn't sound right… it doesn't FEEL right. The voice we lift today will dictate which version of the Pledge our children's children will hear in their first grade classrooms… Will that version be the definitive "Under God" version or will it remain a question mark? Call your radio stations… call your congressmen… let YOUR voice say that we are ONE NATION… UNDER GOD! Blessings until next time, Buffi Buffi J. Holland National Radio Promotions Coordinator Spring Hill Music Group Psalms 100- Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord!

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Reader Comments

Thanks, Buffi, for a great article. How awful to think that a few can dictate what the majority does! I love UNDER GOD & I thank the Booth Brothers for releasing this as a single. I pray that the WORD gets out & that 'under God' is not deleted from our pledge! :thumbsup:

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

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