Importance Of Under God In The Pledge Of Allegiance
Lauren Miranda
01/16/17
Period 2
AP Language
“Under God” In the Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance has remained an important part of the American legacy and culture. It takes part in the American school system, in American sports, and in many other areas. Many say that the pledge holds a place in their hearts, where it allows them to show their pride for their country. But in this pledge there are two words that have a tendency ring in the ears of many Americans, “under god.” In a country that is proud of the separation of church and state, we leave these words in a pledge that is said everyday by millions of Americans who believe and trust the right of separation of church of state yet we fail to do this for a major component in American culture. The words “under god” hold little meaning and should not be placed in the pledge of allegiance, they should be removed permanently. …show more content…
In the pledge of Allegiance, “under god” holds no value.
In fact, it was never originally part of the pledge. During the 1950’s once Eisenhower included “under god” into the pledge, he claimed, “ In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war,” (Greene). His original intent was to separate America from communism. The communists' regime ended almost thirty years ago. Communism is no longer an issue that the U. S needs to worry about so the inclusion of “under god” has fulfilled its duty. The phrase no longer holds any social significance and should be put to
rest.
Although there are other references to religion in government such as, “in God we trust,” and “God saves the honorable court,” they have been a part of this country for considerable amount of time. In the pledge of allegiance “Under God,” was added most recently and has only been there for sixty years. Also, the other references to god do not have much of an impact as “under god.” It is put in a pledge that is unavoidable by many who do not believe in god or those who do not share the same god. The pledge has been shown to be everywhere. It is recited at sports, competition, and in American public schools. Christians or Catholics may argue that the pledge allows them to show their love for their god and benefits their religious values but that holds nothing to this country. For those who have no god, the pledge forces them not only pledge themselves to their country but pledge to someone they do not believe in. This also leads to the reason as to why it violates the first amendment.
With the phrase “under god” the pledge negates the American values it chooses to uphold. In the first amendment, “the government cannot force people to follow a particular religion,” (Benson). This country was built on people who sought to believe in their religion without being persecuted. The United States is country that believes in allowing everyone to believe in any religion. By adding in religion into a pledge that many Americans must say everyday, they are pushing a religion onto all Americans. There are those who claim the pledge has nothing to do with religion and is only tradition, paying tribute to the foundation of this nation but many can see the faulty logic in this, (Bartholomew). Claiming the pledge has nothing to do with religion is false. As stated before ‘under god’ was intentionally placed there to affiliate religion with America. Reciting the pledge has always built a sense of pride and unity any American but ‘under god’ destroys that sense. Any American that believes in a different religion put in the pledge is torn out of this beautiful sense. They wonder if they are truly an American compared to the rest because their religion is not affiliated to the pledge. They wonder if this makes them less American. This insecurity will bubble into them changing themselves to a religion more of an ‘American ideal’ or they will choose to separate themselves from the rest of this unified nation.
The pledge allegiance symbolizes the unity of America and it’s people, by including god this unity is taken away for many. When Americans make this pledge they are pledging to their country in which they believe in but once they must recite the words “under god,” they are now pledging to a religion in which they do not believe in. This is unacceptable for a country that preaches about freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. “Under God” violates the first amendment and I fully believe should cease to be in the pledge of allegiance.
01/16/17
Period 2
AP Language
“Under God” In the Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance has remained an important part of the American legacy and culture. It takes part in the American school system, in American sports, and in many other areas. Many say that the pledge holds a place in their hearts, where it allows them to show their pride for their country. But in this pledge there are two words that have a tendency ring in the ears of many Americans, “under god.” In a country that is proud of the separation of church and state, we leave these words in a pledge that is said everyday by millions of Americans who believe and trust the right of separation of church of state yet we fail to do this for a major component in American culture. The words “under god” hold little meaning and should not be placed in the pledge of allegiance, they should be removed permanently. …show more content…
In the pledge of Allegiance, “under god” holds no value.
In fact, it was never originally part of the pledge. During the 1950’s once Eisenhower included “under god” into the pledge, he claimed, “ In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war,” (Greene). His original intent was to separate America from communism. The communists' regime ended almost thirty years ago. Communism is no longer an issue that the U. S needs to worry about so the inclusion of “under god” has fulfilled its duty. The phrase no longer holds any social significance and should be put to
rest.
Although there are other references to religion in government such as, “in God we trust,” and “God saves the honorable court,” they have been a part of this country for considerable amount of time. In the pledge of allegiance “Under God,” was added most recently and has only been there for sixty years. Also, the other references to god do not have much of an impact as “under god.” It is put in a pledge that is unavoidable by many who do not believe in god or those who do not share the same god. The pledge has been shown to be everywhere. It is recited at sports, competition, and in American public schools. Christians or Catholics may argue that the pledge allows them to show their love for their god and benefits their religious values but that holds nothing to this country. For those who have no god, the pledge forces them not only pledge themselves to their country but pledge to someone they do not believe in. This also leads to the reason as to why it violates the first amendment.
With the phrase “under god” the pledge negates the American values it chooses to uphold. In the first amendment, “the government cannot force people to follow a particular religion,” (Benson). This country was built on people who sought to believe in their religion without being persecuted. The United States is country that believes in allowing everyone to believe in any religion. By adding in religion into a pledge that many Americans must say everyday, they are pushing a religion onto all Americans. There are those who claim the pledge has nothing to do with religion and is only tradition, paying tribute to the foundation of this nation but many can see the faulty logic in this, (Bartholomew). Claiming the pledge has nothing to do with religion is false. As stated before ‘under god’ was intentionally placed there to affiliate religion with America. Reciting the pledge has always built a sense of pride and unity any American but ‘under god’ destroys that sense. Any American that believes in a different religion put in the pledge is torn out of this beautiful sense. They wonder if they are truly an American compared to the rest because their religion is not affiliated to the pledge. They wonder if this makes them less American. This insecurity will bubble into them changing themselves to a religion more of an ‘American ideal’ or they will choose to separate themselves from the rest of this unified nation.
The pledge allegiance symbolizes the unity of America and it’s people, by including god this unity is taken away for many. When Americans make this pledge they are pledging to their country in which they believe in but once they must recite the words “under god,” they are now pledging to a religion in which they do not believe in. This is unacceptable for a country that preaches about freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. “Under God” violates the first amendment and I fully believe should cease to be in the pledge of allegiance.