Restoring the Pledge of Allegiance

Kevin: The Pledge in use today, written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, was modified by the U.S. congress in 1954 by adding the words “under God” and in effect turning it into an unconstitutional public prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

Source: restorethepledge.org

We all have the right to pledge allegiance to our country without at the same time making a specific religious statement. It is also unconscionable to ask any American to remain silent while another American promotes their beliefs with governmental authority. This is as un-American as you can get.

October 5 at 9:54pm · Comment · Like · Share

Robert and Thomas like this.

Jeffrey

There is an old Porky Pig cartoon, where Uncle Sam is telling Porky the story of America, that features the original pledge of allegiance. It was fascinating to hear it without the phrase "under God."
On a similar note, the state flag of Georgia was modified during the Civil Rights era to include the Confederate Battle flag. So, it was interesting to watch folks defend the "original" Georgia flag. Clearly, some were quite aware of the change in the mid 20th century. My guess is that most were not.

October 5 at 10:07pm · Delete

Kevin

Few people realize that "In God We Trust" was not made the national Motto until 1956 - Also a result of the "fear of the godless commie".

October 5 at 10:12pm · Delete

Jeffrey

And that remains one of the reasons, as an historian, that I get so angry when I hear these fantasy histories about the Founding Fathers and other aspects of the past. It's almost as bad as the Dunning School of Reconstruction era history that talked about the horrors of reconstruction and the redemption of the South following reconstruction's demise.

October 5 at 10:17pm · Delete

Kevin

Oh you mean those God fearing founding fathers who said:
"Question With Boldness even the existence of a god" - Jefferson

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind" - Madison

or the Treaty of Tripoli which states "The United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion" which was initiated by Washington and signed by Adams

October 5 at 10:24pm · Delete

Clifford

I have some problem with "in God we trust". I have major problems with "under God" in the pledge.

October 5 at 10:29pm · Delete

Kevin

I just wish people would take that whole separation of church and state thing seriously.

October 5 at 10:31pm · Delete

Clifford

Check wikipedia for some of the history and rational of the courts in upholding these seeming violations of the Establishment Clause. Two very, small, vocal groups were able to make changes to our national motto (which should be E plumbis unum ..sp) and our national pledge.

October 5 at 10:34pm · Delete

Jeffrey

If people really studied it, they would understand that the separation of church and state was really to be most beneficial to churches, the hope being to minimize political impact. Now we see the reverse idea being advocated, as though Christianity were the only faith in the country. I would love to know if Jews or Muslims began pushing for faith-based political outcomes how these same evangelical Christians would react (though I think I can guess).

October 5 at 10:37pm · Delete

Kevin

Yes I'm familiar with that argument, that God ≠ Religion. Which is of course ridiculous.

October 5 at 10:37pm · Delete

Kevin

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Not only do I NOT believe in god; I believe there is no god...but I truly (even if I don't understand why people believe this crap) support others right to believe in whatever gets them through the night...

But I don't want references to religion in my secular life.

October 5 at 10:43pm · Delete