Pledge Definition

Romney refers to the Oath of Office, which would be his “highest promise to God”, and although his God may not be the same as the god(s) of his constituents, it does not matter because he will serve “no one religion, no one group, no one cause, and no one interest” since it is the job of the president to serve “only the common cause of the United States” (Romney). Jefferson mentioned in “A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom” that people who forced their religion on others, or used their religion for immoral reasons were “sinful and tyrannical” (Jefferson 337). Jefferson was probably referring to Puritans along with entire countries that require everyone to attend church or donate to the church even if they are not religious or have a
different set of religious beliefs. In parts of “Faith in America”, Romney essentially says the same thing as Jefferson, except in reference to contemporary concerns facing America. The “sinful and tyrannical” coercion of religious beliefs that exists in contemporary America and to which Romney is referring is radical Islam and “violent Jihad”. Romney believes that “theocratic tyranny” is the biggest threat to religious liberty and to society as a whole (Romney) and Thomas Jefferson would absolutely agree with that belief. While America is not a secular nation, it is also not a theocracy, which is how the concepts of separation of church and state and religious liberty arise. The “Mayflower Compact” exemplifies a period in which America, or at least the colonies, notably the Massachusetts Bay Colony, had strong elements of theocracy. In their “Mayflower Compact”, the Pilgrims refer to King James as “Defender of the Faith” and as “Lord” while simultaneously pledging their love, trust, and respect in Christ, and undertaking their journey to America in the name of both King James, and God (The Mayflower Compact 73). Winthrop, who arrived in the New World in 1630, ten years after the Mayflower, (Winthrop 11) was similar to Jefferson, Romney, and the Pilgrims in that he believed religion is an important aspect to society and a valuable characteristic to a successful leader, but Winthrop also differs from them because he seems to believe that since religion and morality are beneficial to society, they should influence politics as well. In this sense, Winthrop is similar to Williams because, after Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, presumably because of his religion, he established Rhode Island as a more tolerant colony. In fact, Jefferson, Winthrop, Williams, and the Pilgrims all share the same theme of establishing a different, more all encompassing society. Romney also makes that connection when he compares Brigham Young moving out West with Roger Williams and Ann Hutchinson leaving Massachusetts.
Romney very briefly acknowledges the ongoing debate over leaving the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Romney believes the phrase should remain, because it refers to a time in American history where religion was very important, and most people were religious. Furthermore “under God” denotes any God, which goes back to the concept of religious freedom with Thomas Jefferson. It also demonstrates the strength of religion as an American value. Since the Pledge is about the American Flag, it must reflect all of America and its foundations; America was founded on the basis of religion so there’s nothing wrong with mentioning God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Romney feels similarly about the debate over removing God from American money. Romney expressed his feelings about these debates with the quote; “We should acknowledge the Creator as did our Founders – in ceremony and word. He should remain our – on our currency, in our Pledge, in the teaching of our history” (Romney). The debate about “under God” and the wording of the Pledge ties into the overarching concept of what it means to be an
American.
Conclusion
Romney should have taken a stronger stance on religion during his bid for the presidency because his strong moral values are not a reflection of views shared by a majority of Americans.
He should have been clearer about the traditional aspects of his faith in relation to his potential presidency; I think that’s what he was trying to accomplish with this speech but it was not as successful as he had hoped. If he had more clearly articulated the value of religion to the Founders and how that was a huge factor in establishing America and therefore an aspect of America that should be continued, there would be less of a feeling of religious coercion. Although Romney made it very clear that religion is important to him, and the ability for him, as well as every American, to freely practice any religion they so choose, is something that makes him honored to be American, he should have focused more on his core values and what he would do as president other than keeping his religion out of politics. On the other hand, “Faith in America” was a good argument in favor of religious
toleration.
Everything Romney said about his religious views stopping as soon as he had important presidential affairs to attend to, is the perfect demonstration of separation of church and state. His emphasis on the religious foundations and history of religion in the United States since colonial times is another good argument for being more accepting of the personal religions of a president or presidential candidate because it elucidates the importance of tradition among American leaders, and having at least some semblance of respect for tradition is a trait every successful leader should possess. Thomas Jefferson, John Winthrop, Roger Williams, and the signers of the Mayflower Compact, all agree with Romney about the value of tradition and the value of religion in society, but they differ about the role in which religion should play in society.