Source: The Providence Journal

http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/projo_20020706_cthicks6.835aa.html

On July 6, 2002, The Providence Journal featured an editorial by Prof. Douglas Hicks of the University of Richmond entitled "Let's Pledge to Respect Differing Beliefs." The piece emphasizes that "'One nation under God' means different things to different Americans... Both critics and supporters of the judges' decision have failed to acknowledge the tremendous - and widening - diversity of religious and moral perspectives that are present among U.S. citizens... Many Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and people of other traditions understand the ambivalence of including God in the Pledge. They may recognize their own faith expression in the phrase 'under God' (even if they write 'G-d' or 'Allah') but they also know that most Americans think of God in Christian terms and that rituals such as the pledge fuel the fire of those who would promote Christian values in public life."