God Should be Kept in the Pledge of Allegiance

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Recommended: Purpose of religion in education

Did you know that in most public schools, students recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day? As an attendant of a public school, one would come in every morning and before starting class, one would recite the pledge just like any other day. Most Americans are familiar with the words to the Pledge of Allegiance, but recently, a commotion has brewed over two words, “under God,” which were added in 1954. To little surprise, “under God” does not have to be spoken. It is completely optional to say the Pledge, yet this has become a huge controversy spiraling into lawsuits and heated debates. The phrase “under God” does not imply nor enforce any doctrine on Americans; it simply represents the fact that this nation was built with Christianity in mind.

To begin with, no one is required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The United State’s constitution is no official prescription for what is to be considered orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or faith in regards to forcing citizens to act and think a certain way. If one does not want to say the pledge, one can simply omit “under God,” but others who do want to say it in the Pledge of Allegiance should have the right to say those words if they choose so. In fact, the school board in Madison, Wisconsin, took charge and created a policy pertaining to the participation of the Pledge: “We live in a nation of freedom. Participation in the pledge (or anthem) is voluntary. Those who wish to participate may stand; others may remain seated”(“State/Church FAQ”).

Furthermore, despite having the words “under God” in the pledge, the phrase in no way enforces one specific religion upon any citizen. The phrase does not insinuate that the federal government is seeking to es...

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...t D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. National Archives and Records Administration(NARA), 14 June 1954. Web. 16 January 2014.

Frederick, Richard. The True American Manifesto. Xlibris Corporation, 2010. Print.

Jackson, Justice Robert. "Religious Liberty." First Amendment Schools: The Five Freedoms - Court Case. First Amendment Center, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.

Obama, Barack. Call to Renewal Conference. Washington, D.C. 2006. Keynote Speech.

“State/Church FAQ.” Freedom From Religion Foundation. Freedom From Religion Foundation. Web. 16 January 2014.

< http://ffrf.org/faq/state-church/item/14030-pledge-of-allegiance>

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