Actually, I do say the pledge.
I didn't use to (in high school when we were forced to say it each morning). The reason that I didn't is two-fold. First of all, I didn't like the idea of being forced to do so, and second, I felt as if I was lying by saying it. Because our nation doesn't always act "under God".
I have decided in recent years that this is not a lie, more like a hope, that some day we WILL be a nation, undivided, under God. Thus, I say the pledge now.
I do not, however, agree that someone who holds different beliefs in this situation is "nutty" or an "extremist". Even though that isn't the popular belief even among Christians. Most Christians I know are actually very patriotic.
Oh, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for those verses. I was trying to find the verses that tell us to submit to our authorities to bring glory to Him, and I could not find them the other day.
And I am still not convinced that your blanket statement holds true...although I am convinced that YOU hold it as truth.