ROB SCHENCK TO ATTEND “UNDER GOD” PREACHER’S FUNERAL

Faith and Action president Rob Schenck will attend the December 2 funeral for the Reverend Dr. George M. Docherty, the minister famous for having preached the sermon that gave our Pledge of Allegiance the phrase “Under God.” Dr. Docherty, who died on Thanksgiving Day, delivered his “Under God” message at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, on February 7, 1954. In the congregation that day was President Dwight Eisenhower and several members of Congress. At that time a petition drive to include a reference to God in the Pledge was already being aggressively promoted by the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus. After hearing Docherty’s stirring sermon delivered in the Scot’s native brogue, Eisenhower collaborated with the congressional members to get the legislation passed. He signed it into law just four months later on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

Rob Schenck researched the story behind the insertion of the “under God” phrase because of a lawsuit making its way for a second time through the federal courts. Faith and Action submitted a brief in that case supporting the current wording of the Pledge. Well-known atheist activist Michael Newdow originally sued to have the phrase declared unconstitutional in 2005. The Supreme Court eventually dismissed the case on technicalities, but Newdow was successful in reinstating it. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard a reprise of the arguments in December 2007. Court watchers speculated the judges withheld their decision until after this year’s election to avoid affecting its outcome. The liberal court has yet to announce its finding. In any case, the outcome is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.

“George Docherty was a brave man who demonstrated that one preacher can have an enormously positive effect on our country,” said Rev. Rob Schenck, who visited the 97-year old Dr. Docherty at his home in Alexandria, PA, last March. “Even though 1954 was a very different time in our country, his proposal to add ‘under God’ to the Pledge was nonetheless controversial, but Dr. Docherty remained unintimidated and his preaching was obviously persuasive. He was a role model for all of who stand at the pulpit to declare the truth.”

Rev. Schenck is leading an effort in Washington to honor Dr. Docherty’s great contribution to American public life. He will unveil details on the plan following a memorial service for Docherty to be held at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in December.

More on the life and death of George Docherty can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/29/AR2008112900912.html?nav=rss_metro/obituari