Pennsylvania legislators just can’t get enough of God in the government.

These are the Republicans who have sponsored legislation promoting the “Year of the Bible” and the “National Day of Prayer” and putting up the words “In God We Trust” in every public school in the state.

Now, they want to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the words “Under God” being added to the Pledge of Allegiance. The proposed resolution will be sponsored by Republican Rep. John McGinnis:

Upon the introduction of his legislation on February 10, 1954, Senator Ferguson echoed the sentiments of President Eisenhower: “Our nation is founded on a fundamental belief in God, and the first and most important reason for the existence of our government is to protect the God-given rights of our citizens. Spiritual values are every bit as important to the defense and safety of our nation as are military and economic values.” The vote to add “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance was unanimous in both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was founded on a commitment to free worship of the Divine and our Constitution affirms the reality of His blessings of civil and religious liberty and invokes His continuing guidance. Our oaths of office attest to the same and it is entirely proper that we recognize the important legislation of February 10, 1954, that instantiates our Judeo-Christian heritage.

The resolution will likely pass without much conflict because, you know, everyone believes in Jesus. Except for those of us who don’t. But we don’t matter.

Maybe it’s a good thing, though. The resolution might remind people that the “Under God” phrase wasn’t originally in the Pledge. Congress shoved it in there in an us vs. them kick against godless Communists.

Justin Vacula explains how this idiotic and seemingly inconsequential resolution actually hurts us in the long run:

Some may consider this resolution to be a ‘small issue,’ perhaps having no immediate effect, but it gives credence to the ‘Christian nation’ myth, provides a foundation by which ‘larger issues’ use resolutions like these for justification, and erodes the secularity of public schools.

The legislation hasn’t officially been put forth yet, but when it does, I hope the people of Pennsylvania contact their reps to ask them to vote it down. At some point, these people need to stop using the government to fulfill the role of their churches. It’s all part of an obvious agenda to promote religion through their elected offices and we shouldn’t stand for it.



