God is back in the schools. And to some, that is not American.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, the nation has felt a huge boost of patriotism, including references to God, in state-sponsored schools.

One of the most popular phrases being used is “God Bless America,” and most people seem to be fine with that.

But the key word is most. Some people are unnecessarily afraid to see or hear the popular phrase used in schools.

The American Civil Liberties Union has demanded that Breen Elementary School in Rocklin, Calif., take down a “God Bless America” sign displayed on the school’s marquee.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the ACLU called the sign “a hurtful, divisive message,” and a violation of the Constitution.

Let’s start with “God Bless America” printed on government property. The ACLU says it’s unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment.

The argument says it is a violation of people’s freedom of religion, the famous separation of church and state argument.

They say anything that has to do with “God” and the government violates the rights of the people.

The organization ignores the fact that this same phrase is printed on our currency. The government does not recognize it as a religious statement, otherwise it wouldn’t be on our money.

The “God” is not defined. “God” is whatever a person wants it to be – the creator of life, the god of freedom or something as simple as a tree to some. It doesn’t matter.

“God Bless America” is not considered to be religious to most people. It is thought to be patriotic; that’s all.

Another thing the ACLU is ignoring is the amendment it bases its argument on.

Separation of church and state is not printed anywhere in the Constitution. Concerning religion, the First Amendment reads “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Now think really hard: Did Congress make a law that has anything to do with religion in this case?

No, so the sign should not constitute a violation of the First Amendment.

As for the sign being “hurtful” and “divisive,” what isn’t these days?

Pretty much everything a person says could be considered “hurtful” and “divisive.” When a person burns an American flag, it’s extremely “hurtful” to many veterans.

We don’t ban flag burning.

This is a huge problem in this country. We base our freedoms on the right to free speech, yet in the last 20 years it has been thrust upon us that it is wrong to offend people. We are a generation of political correctness.

The truth is with free speech comes offensiveness. That is the point of it.

Being offensive is not a bad thing; it sparks new ideas and makes people think.

All the ACLU is doing is appealing to the emotions of the non-religious community.

They don’t want anyone’s feelings to get hurt, as long as they agree with the organization politically.

That is a poor way to legislate and poor way to make policy. It encourages emotional reasoning rather than logic.

ACLU, how about encouraging patriotism in a time when it is most needed?

“God Bless America” never hurt anyone and never will.

Zach Calef is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Cedar Rapids. He is an assistant news editor of the Daily.