"Why? When I first came to the US in the 4th grade in 1960 I remember the 'SHOCK' of the wording in the pledge to the flag and the reference to G_D and then the public prayers that were NOT of my Church."
Does your church not pray to God?
"To paraphrase the Words of Christ, "to Rome that which is Rome's - to GOD that which is GOD's" - in my upbringing that meant to not sully the name of G_D in secular venues."
Yes, and when in Rome, do as the Romans do, when in USA, do as the Americans do. Also, what sullies the name of God?
"Going a bit further on, when Jesus scolded the Pharisees on their PUBLIC DISPLAY of "godliness" admonishing them to pray in private."
Are you referring to this? "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. "? If you are, Jesus was referring to their ulterior motive... to be seen of men. He was not talking about where they prayed so much as why they prayed where they prayed.
"The later statement of "where two or more are gathered in "My Name" and I will be there" (all paraphrased - I am NOT a Bible scholar) does not mean in a government forum. That is sacrilegious."
Do you have any reference that indicates that prayer in a government forum is somehow bad? Where do you get sacriligious from? You do understand that this nation is built on a government of the people, by the people and for the people don't you? Are you saying that we the people have no right to pray if we are in government? If we are in a government environment?
"BTW - In school I refused to recite the the pledge because I give my pledge only to G_D and I do not pray in public either. I did stand and remain silent is RESPECT to the American Flag."
How can you say that you give your pledge only to God after saying "When I first came to the US in the 4th grade in 1960 I remember the 'SHOCK' of the wording in the pledge to the flag and the reference to G_D and then the public prayers that were NOT of my Church."?
"THAT is why this judge is correct declaring that the government cannot force a child to kneel in subjugation to a secular power."
There is no indication that any child is forced to kneel at all, much less in subjugation to a secular power. Have you not read the 1st amendment to the constitution? It says "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
Your main complaint in this reply seems to be that we the people should not have the free exercise thereof. That is unconstitutional.