I was reading about the history of the Pledge. I agree with the ninth circuit court that the phrase "under God" should be taken out. Eventhough Francis Bellamy, the creator of the Pledge, was a Baptist minister, his daughter felt that he would've resented its inclusion. From news accounts I've heard, it seems that "under God" was added to attack the "Godless" Communists. I think that's intrinsically in conflict with the spirit of "justice" and "liberty". You should be able to believe in Communism if you choose to in this country. In any case Bellamy was a Socialist, a few hops and skips from being a Communist. Bellamy's aim as he composed the Pledge according to this website was to write a short historical and nationalistic communion:
It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution...with the meaning of the Civil War; with the aspiration of the people...
The true reason for allegiance to the Flag is the 'republic for which it stands.' ...And what does that vast thing, the Republic mean? It is the concise political word for the Nation - the One Nation which the Civil War was fought to prove. To make that One Nation idea clear, we must specify that it is indivisible, as Webster and Lincoln used to repeat in their great speeches. And its future?Just here arose the temptation of the historic slogan of the French Revolution which meant so much to Jefferson and his friends, 'Liberty, equality, fraternity.' No, that would be too fanciful, too many thousands of years off in realization. But we as a nation do stand square on the doctrine of liberty and justice for all...
We also stand for separation of church and state.
Also according to the site, "He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans."
I think since we're making changes to the Pledge, perhaps it's time to add "equality" and drop "under God".
For a brief history of changes to the Pledge, here's a summary by CalPundit based on the website I've been referring to:
UPDATE 4: OK, according to this website, the really original pledge was written in 1892 and went like this:I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
Later that year the word "to" was added:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
It was changed in 1923 to this:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
The pledge was recognized by Congress in 1942, and "under God" was added in 1954 after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus.
Comments (3)
Well, if the original Pledge of Allegiance did not have "under God" in it, then that phrase should be removed, especially because our country is supposed to separate church and state (doesn't seem like that happens a lot). But, would we be having this discussion if "under God" was part of the original Pledge? Would people be going to court over this if the phrase was part of the original, or would they just accept it? I can honestly say that I don't understand the big deal, if you don't want to say "under God," then don't say it. Does it really hurt you when the person next to you says it? It's not like the phrase causes the speaker to be a racist or bigot, so I don't understand why people are so against it. If the phrase is removed, will there now be people going to court to have the phrase re-inserted in the Pledge? Don't people have better things to do than fight over two words that many don't really think about, or take seriously, while saying the Pledge of Allegiance?
Posted by lisa | March 6, 2003 1:41 PM
Posted on March 6, 2003 13:41
You're right, no one really gets offended when you say "under god". You're free to utter the pledge however you want. I just don't think the state sanctioned version of the pledge should have the phrase "under god". People can still say it when they want to, but the one printed up in the classroom shouldn't have it. As the article pointed out, many people say "for liberty, equality, and justice for all" and add the word "equality" to their personal version. Some people tag on "...and justice for all, born and unborn." And you are rightly free to express yourself that way.
Posted by teddy | March 6, 2003 4:44 PM
Posted on March 6, 2003 16:44
"under God" is good to have in the pledge. Even if it might have been "installed" (for lack of a better term) for the wrong reason it seems to make the right impression on people. 95% of polls all over the country have resulted in people wanting to keep it. I feel that this may be contributed to the fact that "Under God" gives people a feeling of hope as well as pride to have a diety, or a higher power, looking over our country, looking out for us and our great nation. And i agree that noone should conform if they dont want to so one can recite the pledge however they want but that shouldnt stop anyone else from reciting it the way they've been brought up to recite it.
Posted by Justin | February 6, 2004 1:17 AM
Posted on February 6, 2004 01:17