'Under God' excludes other religious groups

To the editor:

When the words "under God" are in the Pledge of Allegiance, it recognizes the Christian belief only. If America were 100 percent Christian, there would be no problem. But since America is made up of many cultures and beliefs, a problem is presented: Our pledge recognizes only one religious belief and completely ignores all the others. What this is saying is that the Christian belief is right and everyone else's beliefs are wrong.

America was founded on the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our beliefs fall under the pursuit of happiness. When the words "under God" appear in the Pledge of Allegiance, it undermines the unalienable right of the pursuit of happiness set forth by the Declaration of Independence.

Yes, Christians are happy, but what of the other beliefs that make up this great country? The words "under God" must be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance in order to preserve what this county was founded on: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

DOUG PHELPS

Jackson, Mo.