Dr Pepper removed the phrase 'under God' from the snippet of Pledge of Allegiance it printed on promotional cans.

See the email here.

Yes.

In November 2001, Dr Pepper introduced a patriotic-themed can that included the phrase 'One Nation ... Indivisible,' eliding 'under God.'

So why did Dr Pepper not include 'under God'?

Critics charge that Dr Pepper knuckled under to 'political correctness' and removed the phrase for fear of offending atheists.

Dr Pepper says 'under God' was omitted because there was insufficient space on the can and that they were trying 'to reflect our pride in this country's determination to stand together as one.'

Short of subpoenaing Dr Pepper's employees and internal correspondence, it's impossible to know precisely what motivated Dr Pepper.

To the Urban Legend Zeitgeist, Dr Pepper's explanation seems more plausible than charges of 'political correctness' run amok.

'One Nation ... Indivisible' is not far removed from the post-9/11 'United We Stand' slogan on signs, bumper stickers, T-shirts and paraphernalia.

It is doubtful that atheists form such a significant portion of Dr Pepper consumers that Dr Pepper struck out 'under God' for fear of losing business.

Controversy around the Dr Pepper can had largely died out in early 2002. Recent legal controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance revived it and prompted new versions of widely circulated email.

Don't rush out to join the Dr Pepper boycott: distribution of the promotional can ended in February 2002.

The Urban Legend Zeitgeist wonders why Dr Pepper decided to offend the following important consumer market segments:

• Die-hard secessionists. 'Indivisible' surely slights fans of the Confederate States of America. As if being on the losing end of the Civil War, oops, the War between the States, uhoh, the War of Northern Aggression, weren't enough.
• Advocates of representative government. Dropping the phrase 'to the Republic' is a slap in the face of (small-d) democrats.
• Libertarians. 'With Liberty' didn't make the cut.
• Lawyers. 'With Justice for All' didn't either.

• To Dr Pepper Consumers from Dr Pepper
• AFA Update from the American Family Association
• No Room for God from Agape Press
• Dr Pepper Skips 'Under God' On Patriotic Cans from townhall.com
• Soda Pop Evangelism from the University of Chicago Divinity School
• Dr Pepper Under Fire for Promoting Godless Pledge from American Atheists
• Thank Dr Pepper for Not Dividing the Country from Freedom from Religion Foundation
• Dr Pepper Omits 'Under God' in Patriotic Promo from About.com

Got a new legend?
Got a question?
Send it to ulz@tafkac.org