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Letter: Saying pledge is up to individual

Friday, July 2, 2004 | 4:19 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

July 3 - 4, 2004

Isn't it funny how people, including judges, can't seem to read the U.S. Constitution and understand it. I keep hearing about the separation of church and state and decided to read the First Amendment again. Here's what it says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I see nothing there suggesting a "separation of church and state." I do see that "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." I assume that also pertains to the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Neither body should make a law "prohibiting the free exercise of religion."

If someone does not wish to say "under God" when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, there is no law requiring them to include these two words. By the same token, judges should not make an unenforceable law prohibiting me from saying "under God" when reciting the pledge of religion.

GLEN LARSEN

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