"Under God" Should be Removed from the Pledge of Alegiance

Many thanks to my opponent for his timely response. Initial Refutations: 1. The important thing to remember is that there is no legal force to say these words. Further, my opponent did not present any empirical evidence that this actually occurs in classrooms. All he has as evidence is two quotes from groups that support his cause, which is not evidence. With children, many non-theistic kids can choose not to say the POA at all, or, if they choose to do so, can leave out the two words. The POA is said, in almost/probably every instance in schools, in groups. In a group, one can chose not to say those words and not be bullied or anything, as the voices of the other kids will drown out those who do not want to say it. A Gallup Poll showed that, actually, a large majority of kids, 59%, feel free to say the POA if they don't want to: [4]Plus, teacher peer pressure, when it occurs, usually ends in a teacher's suspension. A teacher in Florida tried to force a child to say the POA and was promptly suspended [5]. To summarize, my opponent did not present any evidence showing that peer and teacher pressure is an occurring thing. I showed that a large majority of kids do not feel forced into saying the POA at all and presented a case of a teacher being suspended for trying to pressure a teen. It still stands that this is not forced. 2. First and foremost, I extend my arguments about the popularity of the phrase in Congress, who are the voice of the people and represent the desires of the people. There are other polls which demonstrate how mush public support the phrase "Under God" has: Associated Press conducted a survey of 1,001 adults; of which, 87% support the phrase "Under God" being kept in the POA. ABC News/Washington Post conducted a survey of 1,024 adults. 89% supported the phrase being kept in the POA [7 from last round]. There are a few more polls in that source which my opponent could have seen. I don't deny that FOX News has bias in political commentary. However, one must remember that this is largely attributed to commentary on the station and not as much with the polling. My opponent's link did not seem to deal with the polling at the network, only with the broadcasting and website. SurveyUSA is found to be, in reality, a quite accurate polling center [2] [3] My opponent also wants information on how the support for kids and teenagers is on this question. Gallup conducted a survey and found the following: [4] 92% of teens support keeping the POA with the words "Under God" in it. The study also found the following: "Among teens, support for keeping the pledge as it is transcends racial, religious, political, and geographic lines. More than 85% of teens in every demographic group support keeping "under God" in the pledge." Pubic support for the phrase stands as being overwhelming. 3. I do not deny the fact that there were Deists at the Constitutional Convention. This does not change the fact that they were religious and righteous people who used and referenced God numerous times. I have already presented information on how Christianity, religions and God, in general, played during the early foundations of our nation [8 and 11 from last round]. My opponent's argument that succeed don't seem very relevant, as "Under God" or "God" as in the State's Constitutions is not at all a reference to a established religion. The words are acknowledgement of the God who had tries in America's early foundation and our culture today. Is this respecting an established religion? Of course not! The God is vague. It can be Jewish God, an Islamic God or a Christian God or any other type of God. Polytheistic religions have no bearing as this phrase as references to God have to do with the Founder's early religious ties and the current culture, which has to do with a God as I have shown. Polytheistic religions still have respect and rights, but simply not the role Monotheism plays in America's heritage. Here are the Founders themselves speaking about religion and a sole God in society: "Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a [U]topia, what a Paradise would this region be." ~John Adams "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." ~George Washington "The great pillars of all government...[are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible." ~Patrick Henry "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, say some, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, He reigns above." ~Thomas Paine "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." ~John Jay [6] The Founders here reference a God or a Biblical God. Saying "Under God" is nothing more than respecting the desires of our Founders and the Religion in our culture today. Also, it is important to note that there are Chaplains of the U.S. Senate and HOR whose official job is opening Congressional sessions with prayer. [7] [8] Thus, this discredits the idea of my opponent that beginning Congressional sessions with prayer is not official. Essentially, my opponent feels compelled to have 17% of the population (who do not all oppose it as seen in my refutation in 2) control the culture of the rest of the population. A strong majority of people still support this phrase and this is simply paying respect to the desires of our Founders. The religion, while monotheistic, is vague and unclear and is not an Established Religion. Opponent's Arguments: 1. Turn to my refutations in 1, 2 and 3 to see a response to this. Most of what my opponent says here is referencing to his arguments, which I have already refuted in 1, 2 and 3. 2. My opponent did not seem to read the court decisions here. In them all, they realize that the Establishment Clause applies to government whether or not Congress writes the rules or not. The 6, and many other, court cases still stand. 3. I thank my opponent for providing a source. However, if I may ask colloquially, so what? The phrase, as found in a 1953 Gallup Poll was very unifying: 4. Refer to my refutation in 3. Conclusion: My opponent has stated that there is force, both legal and peer, to say this. I have refuted this. My opponent has endeavored to refute the massive public support for this, which I have shown to not stand up to scrutiny. My opponent has claimed that this nation and nation's culture is not and should not, in accordance with our Constitution, have any interaction whatsoever with religion. I have shown through Court cases and history of America's Founders that this is false. My opponent's case has failed. The resolution stands negated. I urge a vote for Con. Sources in Comments.