he Dr Pepper soft drink firm is drawing criticism from religious groups for omitting the phrase "under God" in an abbreviated version of the Pledge of Allegiance on its "patriot can."

   The company began distribution of over 41 million of the promotional cans in a dozen states last November. A statement from Dr Pepper said that the special graphic presentation was designed "to show the world that we are a united nation of people who place a high value upon freedom." The can features a portrait of the Statue of Liberty with the phrase "One Nation ... Indivisible."

   Last week, students at Bible Baptist Academy in Dubuque, Iowa called for a boycott of the popular soda. So has the American Family Association, which posted a letter from a complaining student on its web site.

   "I am very concerned with Dr Pepper's new design on their cans," wrote Alyssa Hayne. "I noticed they have 'one nation ... indivisible' on their cans and left out 'under God.'"

   When the grousing began, the company placed a notice on its web site stating, "Dr Pepper responds to consumers regarding its patriot can... The special packaging was designed to reflect our pride in this country's determination to stand together as one. The Statue of Liberty and Pledge of Allegiance were chosen as two of the greatest symbols of American freedom.

   "Due to space limitations on the can, only a few of the 31 words from the Pledge of Allegiance could be used."

   AFA publicist Randy Sharp challenged that reasoning, however. He told Conservative News Service, "I think anyone who looks at the can could see that there is plenty of space to include 'under God' very easily.

   "They could drop their nutrition label a little and 'boom' they'd have plenty of room."

   The Dr Pepper/Seven Up Company (the period was dropped from "Dr." in the 1950s) said that the promotional can "was created to show support for the patriotic fervor that has been sweeping America since the tragic events of September 11, 2001...

"The available area for graphics limited the amount of verbiage on the can... We at Dr Pepper/Seven Up strongly believe that the message of these cans is a resoundingly patriotic, bipartisan message that we are a united nation."

   For many, however, September 11 is a tragedy replete with religious significance. Many, such as televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, have stated that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were chastisement from God who is calling the nation back to religious faith. Some groups have called for display of sectarian slogans like "God Bless America" or "In God We Trust" in classrooms and other public venues. Others want the Ten Commandments posted.

   "These groups are trying to meld patriotism and support for freedom with religious faith," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists. "That's ironic since the September 11 terrorist attacks were carried out by religious fanatics promoting an authoritarian creed against a nation that explicitly celebrates the separation of church and state."

   But what about the Pledge and the phrase "under God" ?

   The original Pledge, which was composed by Francis Bellamy, read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag,
and the Republic for which it stands,
one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

   In 1923, at the first National Flag Conference, the words "the Flag of the United States" were inserted. Congress did not officially recognize any version of the Pledge until 1942, and the following year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that youngsters could not be compelled to recite it. That decision in WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION v. BARNETTE, 319 U.S. 624 (1943), was heard on behalf of parents and students belonging to the Jehovah's Witnesses sect, who argued that their religious faith prohibited them from saluting the symbols of a worldly government. Justice Jackson declared:

"If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us."

   During the decade of the 1950s, the nation was caught up in the "Red Scare" and the hunt for traitors and Soviet Spies. Congressional committees, state legislative panels and other bodies grilled citizens about their political and religious beliefs.

   Public profession of religious faith soon became a litmus test for patriotism. On August 21, 1952, the Supreme Council of the (Roman Catholic) Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution at its annual convention urging the inclusion of a "God" acknowledgment in the Pledge. Several other organizations urged similar action, and in Congress, Rep. Louis C. Rabaut of Michigan presented changes in a proposed Public Law to mandate the "under God" phraseology. President Eisenhower signed the measure on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

   Two months later, Eisenhower applauded the efforts of the Knights of Columbus and wrote:

"We are particularly thankful to you for your part in the movement to have the words 'under God' added to our Pledge of Allegiance. These words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which along give dignity to man..."

   That same month, the Illinois American Legion Convention passed a resolution saluting the Catholic group for its initiative.

   Other changes were taking place on the political landscape, though, to further meld religious belief and national identity. These included the move in 1956 to adopt "In God We Trust" as the national motto, replacing the secular and more inclusive phrase "E Pluribus Unum," or "Out of many, one." President Eisenhower instituted the practice of holding an annual "National Prayer Breakfast" in the White House. And the religious "So help me God" slogan was added to the oath taken by Federal judges and other officials.

   The flap over so innocent an act like omitting "under God" from the front of a soda can underscores the cultural battle being waged over the role of religion in American society. It also shows how divisive religious promotion can be. The recent ARIS (American Religious Identification Survey) indicates that nearly 14% of the American population now considers itself to be of "no religion." This number includes millions of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and others. When attempting to display unity, the original secular motto, "E Pluribus Unum," once again may best typify what America is, and what it truly represents.

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