Do not condescend. If there was one who misunderstood the metaphor, it was not me. I meant that faith, that is religion, we do not share. The faith that we must share is symbolically represented by the flag....faith in this institution...democracy...which this country proudly proclaims. "In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane."---Twain. It sits well with me that one should believe that what he has was confered upon him by God. I certainly do. However we do not all share this belief. What we all can acknowledge is that our forefathers secured our rights. I do not follow the argument that we are slaves. If you want to stray away from the definition of slavery as physical bondage. Let's. Then, yes we are slaves. We are perhaps are slaves of Fortune, this country especially men to the draft,ect.
Religious persecution...to allow the "under God" phrase is not to persecute anyone. It's merely reiterating something we've agreed upon....separation of church and state. If you want to pray, go ahead...at home, in your church. No one denies anyone's right to pray....but let's not shun the man who doesn't want to do the same. The pledge is of national value. Therefore we shouldn't have religion anywhere near it. This is what makes this land great as you say....everyone is accepted under the flag despite their faith in God, or lack thereof.
I love idealism as much as the next guy but in all honesty....our "forefathers" did have their pockets in mind as well when they started the Revolution. Moreover religious persecution continued here long after the first settler set foot down in America.
Let not your passion rule your reason.