Skip navigation

Pastor who helped get 'God' in U.S. pledge dies

President Eisenhower heard his allegiance sermon in 1952

  How we worship
Christianity
Brazilians get baptized in Israel, a megachurch opens in Houston, and devotees carry a cross in the Philippines.
Islam
Whirling dervishes perform in Turkey, pilgrims gather in Mecca, and an elderly man is doused with holy water.
Judaism
Jews pray at the Mount of Olives, matzoh is baked in Brooklyn, and thousands of rabbis pose for a group photo.
Hinduism and more
Japanese ascetics hang from a cliff, Shinto believers pray in ice water and a 60-foot statue takes a colorful bath.
Video: Faith  
Synagogue performs same-sex ceremonies
June 25: A conservative rabbi at a South Florida synagogue is performing same-sex commitment ceremonies, in a state that doesn't recognize gay marriage. WTVJ's  Ari Odzer reports.

  RSS feeds on msnbc.com

Add these headlines to your news reader

updated 2:33 p.m. ET Nov. 29, 2008

ALEXANDRIA, Pa. - The clergyman credited with helping to push Congress to insert the phrase "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance died in Alexandria, Pa., a church official said.

The Rev. George M. Docherty was 97.

Nancy Taylor, historian for the Huntingdon Presbyterian Church, said Docherty died on Thanksgiving at his home in Alexandria, with his wife, Sue, by his side.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

Docherty delivered a sermon saying the pledge should acknowledge God in 1952 at Washington's New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, just blocks from the White House.

On Feb. 7, 1954, he delivered it again after learning that President Dwight Eisenhower would be at the church.

Congress inserted the words a few months later.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored LinksGet listed here
Online College Courses
Boost your career with an online Degree. Pick from Leading Colleges!
www.EarnMyDegree.com

Sponsored links

Resource guide