It is not required . US Law makes this so. All of the issues you raise are therefore irrelevant as far as I am concerned and grasping at straws.
The issue here is an attempt to force people not to say it, or not to say certain parts. You are arguing the opposite side of an issue ... but that opposite does not exsist because no one has said they MUST say it and they are free to make the pledge in any way they see fit. My arguement is against people being told what they can or cannot say.
Anyhow, this is getting repetitive, each of us saying the same thing over and over. I see no point in continuing it. I am satisifed that other readers can see both points and come to their own conclusions.
I will continue to fight steadfastly, for the reasons I have given, for any move to legally force me to not say "One Nation Under God" with the pledge. Just as I would fight any effort to take "In God we Trust" from the currency, or "in God is our Trust" from the national anthem. Such a belief is a part of our national heritage and that is a fact.
With that, I will end my part of this discussion. Thanks for the reasoned discourse, even if we do disagree. Adieu.