Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- In their broadcast of the US Open Golf Tournament yesterday, NBC removed the phrase "under God" from a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
The Christian Defense Coalition contends this was no accident and calls for the network to "fully explain" their motivation in removing the phrase.
 
An apology by NBC saying they "are sorry if anyone was offended" does not go far enough in addressing this troubling and deliberate rewriting of history and the removal of the mention of God from the public square.
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, states;
 
"Like most Americans, I was stunned to see NBC remove the expression 'under God' from a televised reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.  It is troubling to see a major television network deliberately remove the mention of God from the public square and rewrite history.

"It is clear that this was not an accident and the pathetic apology NBC offered to the public is not enough in addressing this controversy.
 
"The Christian Defense Coalition demands that NBC give a full and detailed explanation into why they removed the phrase 'under God.'  In other words, what was the motivation of the network.
 
"Sadly, we are seeing an erosion of expressions of faith from the public square.  It is critical as a nation we do all that we can to promote freedom of speech and expression. This is includes religious freedom.
 
"Who ever dreamed that a major American television network would 'censor' and remove the mention of God in a public broadcast.  Sadly, this shows how the public mention of God is under attack in our nation."
 
For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at   540.538.4741    202.547.1735