In the Pledge of Allegiance I memorized "under God" was not included. Under God was not a part of the allegiance until the early 1950s. I would like to think of our nation being answerable to God.
There is no doubt that we are a great and powerful nation. A nation that is to be feared if not respected, but are we a blessing to God?
Two of my favorite songs over the years have been "America the Beautiful" and "America." There are phrases in each of the songs we need to take to heart.
From "America": "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing, land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." and from "America the Beautiful": "O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears! America! America! God mend thy every flow, confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law."
• The Rev. Bill McCord a retired pastor with First United Methodist Church in Carson City and is a member of the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship.