Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Religion

   The reason the term "god" is not considered obtrusive on anyone in particular is that it is such a generic term it can apply to any religion including some schools of philosophy that are not exactly "religious."  The concept of "god" has for millennia now been usually understood as a set of ideals, except by children, mentally retarded adults, and some Christians who require an anthropomorphic god.  Most sensible people have a set of ideals, even atheists.

   If either atheists tried to take the word "god" out of, or Christians tried to put the word "Jesus" into the pledge, then that would invite very serious controversy.

   One reason the acceptance of intelligent design is so slow is that a set of ideals is generally not considered active enough in the world to assemble anything.  Most people, including some very devoutly religious, find no need to accept intelligent design for the purposes of their religion, which after all is merely about a set of ideals.  That would be enough the let the issue go, but science needs to address it in order to categorize the issue whether its answer is found in nature or not.  Its answer is not found in nature.  That would be enough to categorize the issue, but many people are upset at such a result.  They prefer to believe that an answer can one day be found and assume it already has been.  That is not science.  That is politics.   The science of the matter is that the agency that assembled the first life on previously molten Earth is not found in nature.  Although that significant truth is taught in science classes, many people prefer to ignore it.  It is also apparent the agency will never be found in nature, and that makes their attitude particularly offensive to science.

   Most people, including atheists and very religious people, and that really is most people, still shun the challenge to their worldview that an agency they do not understand or control presents.  They prefer to think that only the unlearned entertain any notions of such agencies.  They prefer to think that such unlearned people are the problem in the world.  The problem in the world is rather that they are more fond of science than capable of it.  They have replaced real science with a belief in science that is just as bad as any unfounded belief.  They expect science to solve problems in society it absolutely cannot.