Every morning students across America dutifully recite the Pledge of Allegiance as a part of their average school day. However, some view this as an infringement of their rights as guaranteed by the First Amendment. They believe that the inclusion of the phrase "under God" diminishes their ability to choose for themselves or their children in religious maters. However, the vast majority of Americans, 91% according to a 2004 Gallup poll, support keeping "under God" in the Pledge. The establishment clause states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," but there is no law forcing people to recite the Pledge and parents could legally intervene and prevent their children from participating in teacher-led recitations. Also, there is technically no reference to any one specific god, effectively encapsulating the beliefs of many Americans and the deities they worship under their respective religions, letting the American people have the free exercise of religion guaranteed to them in the First Amendment.
Another main point facing the opposition is the lack of sufficient legal grounds for the removal of the words "under God" as evidenced when a 2004 case over the constitutionality of this issue was dismissed. Although, the court was acting under pressure from leaders of both parties in Congress as well as the Bush administration, showing the strength of such a large majority in a Representative Democracy. This, combined with the fact that America has always been intertwined with religion- clearly displayed by the statement "in God we trust" on our coins and references to the "Creator" in the Declaration of Independence- will insure that the Pledge of Allegiance remains as it is, including those two controversial words.
-Sgt. Pepper
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41802-2004Jun14.html
http://undergod.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001330
6 comments:
I personally have said it so many times since elementary school that I forget what words are in the pledge of allegiance because I just say it like I breathe air. I don't think about the words. "under God" is a controversy but it shouldn't be. Like the article said it doesn't clearly say which God it is. Many religions believe in other kinds of Gods. If people really don't want to say it, then simply don't say it out loud. I knew this one Arabian guy in my 8th grade class, it was his first day in my school after he transferred. My history teacher asked him after the pledge why he didn't stand up and join the rest of the class. He just simply replied with I don't believe in God. I mean eventually he stood up because he was the only one sitting but he still didn't say it out loud.
Some people make an issue out of it, even though I agree that it really shouldn't be that controversial, however, one could attest to the validity of claims that people feel somewhat forced to participate. (Your example works pretty well on that point. Also, I find it rather interesting that the teacher would ask him about it.) People also like to say that the pledge has been the way it is for so long that there is no point in changing it, but it included no mention of "God" at all until the 1950's, the latest of many revisions.
The issue here is oppression by the majority. Despite the fact that most Americans have no issue with the phrase, it doesn't make things better or right. I don't feel that the phrase's meaning is terribly relevant anymore though. The repetition of anything on a daily basis decreases the meaning of what is within. I think that the phrase is just empty words to most Americans now.
I definitely think that saying, "Under God," as part of the pledge should be a choice. But, the vast majority of people would choose to say it anyway, because, like so many things people are screaming about these days..
It's not a big deal.
There are many other avenues to pursue if you don't want to say "under God", then taking it out of the pledge. Don't say it, don'd say the "under God", wait in the hall while it is said. There is no need to take it out.
Exactly. One always has the right to abstain from participating in the pledge, however, people can also feel pressured to join in due to the majority of people who do participate. Freedomk of religion can also mean freedom from religion. On another note: people also have other reasons for not wanting to say the pledge. I bring your attention to a recent CNN report. (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/11/16/am.boy.no.pledge.cnn) An interesting point.
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