At the Democratic convention in Augusta on June 3, the delegates joined together in our salute to the flag. As far as I could tell at least 90 percent, probably more, included “Under God” in the pledge.

It is obvious there is no concerted effort on the part of Democrats to exclude a reference to God from our cherished allegiance. To recognize the existence of God does not designate whose God, nor does it depict any particular religion.

In a Sun Journal article on June 24 by Jean Prescott, “Bill Moyers explores divisiveness.” On June 23, in an interview with Salman Rushdie on MPBN, “We’re living with a new tyranny, says Rushdie, one that uses the language of religion but, in fact, is a new totalitarianism.’… power wants to create the world in its image.'”

Isn’t this what is causing a civil war in Iraq?

I believe that our wonderful democracy was founded with the explicit intention of keeping the church and the state forever separate. When a government is based on religious doctrine, those who hold to other doctrines are forever in danger of being persecuted. Wasn’t that the reason that so many of our ancestors fled their native countries?

Divisiveness is rampant in this country. Those who oppose the policies of the current government are the enemies of religion, or don’t want to protect the country. Religious faith should be about tolerance and understanding rather than burdening the poor and fostering intolerance.

Nancy Willard, Woodstock