Some members of Congress, and many Americans, have no problem with banning prayer in schools, but when the courts start messing around with the Pledge of Allegiance - look out!

The three-judge Court of Appeals at San Francisco sowed a whirlwind last week. It ruled by split decision that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it includes the word "God,"

Leaders of both houses of Congress raced to the Capitol steps to express outrage and recite the famous pledge known by heart by school children and adults alike.

The solons made another pledge - to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution embedding "one nation under God" (no comma pause between "nation" and "under").

A doctor/lawyer/atheist sued the school board. He contends his daughter in the second grade unlawfully had to hear the pledge recited daily by her classmates.

The U.S. Supreme Court long ago ruled that no one could be forced to recite the Pledge. Now the issue is that of hearing others recite it.

In effect, the latest court ruling negates the Declaration of Independence.

The revered document says Americans are entitled to freedom "by nature's God." And further, that they are "endowed with certain unalienable rights by their Creator." Finally the Founding Fathers appealed to the "Supreme Judge of the World" for approval.

Not many people know that the Pledge was written 95 years after the Constitution by a Baptist minister and political "socialist" named Francis Bellamy. The term "socialist" back then had the same connotation as "liberal" today - a champion of the "working man."

Bellamy was born in 1852 and was graduated from the Rochester, N.Y., Theological Seminary in 1876. According to Dr. John W. Baer, a biographer, Bellamy was very much impressed with the French Revolution precepts of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."

As a minister in Boston, Bellamy became involved in serving the poor through the National Society of Christian Socialists.

A frequent visitor to his church was Daniel Ford, publisher of "The Youth's Companion" a popular, nationally circulated magazine.

Ford hired Bellamy to work with editor James Upham. The latter was trying to organize a National Public School Celebration for the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America.

A Columbia Exposition was to open at Chicago in 1892. A highlight was to be a Youth's World Congress. The Youth's Companion was put in charge of arranging a suitable celebration. Upham assigned Bellamy to writing a program in cooperation with the National Education Association.

The theme chosen was that the public schools were the most important institution that linked all neighborhoods in the United States. As the Youth Celebration gathered momentum, President Grover Cleveland and Congress members endorsed the project.

Theodore Roosevelt, then a member of the Civil Service Commission, later president of the United States, believed Americanization of foreign-born youth was vital. He stated: "The Common School and Flag stand together as the arch-typical of American civilization."

Bellamy arranged eight events:

* Reading of the President's Proclamation.

* Raising the Flag by military veterans.

* Salute to the Flag by the Pupils.

* Prayer and acknowledgment of God.

* Song of Columbus Day by audience.

* Address, "Meaning of Four Centuries."

* Ode, "Columbia's Banner."

* Addresses by Citizens and National Songs.

Bellamy wrote, and then presented, the main speech. He said, "We assemble here that we, too, may exalt the free school that embodies the American principle of universal enlightenment and equality."

It is noteworthy that influential leaders emphasized the importance of schools to patriotism - and vice versa.

Upham, who insisted on having a flag salute, wrote several versions. However, he felt them inadequate and asked Bellamy to write it. Working together, they settled on:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."

The National Education Association committee heartily approved the speech and the pledge.

Pre-Chicago Pledge of Allegiance programs were attended by huge, enthusiastic crowds at New York City and Boston. The NEA - sticklers for grammar - inserted the word "to" before "the Republic" in the official version for the Columbia Exposition at Chicago.

The correct stance while reciting the oath was to stand with the right arm extended toward the American flag. This form was eliminated when Hitler began his rise to power in the 1930s. His signature salute to Brown Shirt thugs was too much like the American flag salute.

The U.S. National Flag Code was rewritten to: "right hand over heart."

Bellamy went on to editorships for a succession of prestigious newspapers, magazines and advertising firms. He retired to Tampa, Florida, and died there at age 76 in 1931. Word Changes

Three other changes have been made to the Pledge over the years.

In 1923, the National Flag Conference changed the words "my Flag" to "the Flag of the United States."

The following year -- under leadership of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion - the conference added the words "of America" after "the United States."

In 1954 - under the leadership of the Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic fraternity, Congress added "under God" to the pledge.

Today, the Pledge is:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic

for which it stands,

one Nation under God,

indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all."

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that this change expanded the patriotic Pledge to include a public prayer. Therefore no one can be forced to recite it if they object on religious grounds.

The two appellate judges at San Francisco - who said exposure to the words is the same as saying them -- are having second thoughts. They have postponed implementation of their order until it is reviewed by all 11 judges of the Ninth District.

Outrage by an overwhelming majority of Americans focuses the mind wonderfully.