My American Freedom

1926 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Religion and cultural identity

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" (Mauro, sec. 1). This was the original pledge of allegiance to the United States of America given on October 12th, 1892, celebrating the four hundred year memory of Columbus’s journey (Mauro, sec. 1). This pledge is now a part of all school systems, recited at many sporting events, and posted in various places all over the United States of America. Since that time, the pledge now reads, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all” (Mauro, sec. 1). This pledge is a representation of the freedom we now have in America. By looking how America began, the nature of America now as a Democracy, as well as the origin and nature of free enterprise, we will see how Democracy has given us more freedom than other governments and the potential threats to these freedoms.

According to Thomas E. Brewton’s article of Theocracy: the Origin of American Democracy, “Theocracy is a broad term encompassing many different degrees of religious influence in civil government” (2006, sec. 1). Marriam-Webter’s definition of theology reads, “Theocracy is government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided” (Unknown, sec. 1). Sounds like from the beginning, our government has had religious influence involvement in establishing a government! However, as time went on, the separation of church and state limited the projection of religion onto people. Now people are arguing that the phrase, under God, should be taken out of the pledge and completely out...

... middle of paper ...

...New York: Free Press, 1992.

Dahl., R. (2011, February 23). The Citizens: The Nature and Quality of American Democracy. The Citizens. Retrieved July 2, 2011, from http://thecitizens.blogspot.com/2011/02/nature-and-quality-of-american.html

Mauro, T. (n.d.). The U.S. Pledge. Teaching About Religion In Public Schools: Worldview Education. Retrieved July 2, 2011, from http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/WhatsNew/ThePledge.htm

Unknown. (n.d.). Theocracy - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved July 2, 2011, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theocracy

Unknown. (2011).What Is A Free Market System?. (n.d.). Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More.... Retrieved July 2, 2011, from http://www.essortment.com/market-system-24134.html

Show More
Related

  • American Civil Liberties: Do Americans Have Enough Protections for Civil Liberties, or Not?

    1449 Words  | 3 Pages

    Schiller, W. J., Geer, J. G., & Segal, J. A. (2013). Gateways to democracy: introduction to American government, the essentials. (2nd ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth ;.

    Read More

  • Elk Grove Unified School District V Newdow Summary

    1838 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... Since its inception, the Pledge of Allegiance has been and is still used as a sign of respect to the country instead of a religious practice.

    Read More

  • The Words UNDER GOD Should Be Removed from the Pledge of Allegiance

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the 2008 the United States Census Bureau, Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population, The Christian faith proved to be the more dominating religion out of all religions. So it would seem the words “Under God” would be beneficial for the majority, the Pledge of Allegiance allures and supports the loyalty of the majority of citizens. The nonbelievers of religion have had the right to not recite the pledge since 1943 but have been asked to quietly stand while the believers recite the pledge in its entirety. Even though leaving out “Under God” is not a difficult task we can clearly see a division has now developed, opposite of bringing the people together. Another example that shows the pledge allures and supports a loyalty to the majority of citizens, the acceptance and encouragement to keep ...

    Read More

  • Checks and Balances

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    Janda, Kenneth. "2 The Constitution." The Challenge of Democracy Government in America. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2008. Print.

    Read More

  • Reasoning Behind The 19th Amendment

    1887 Words  | 4 Pages

    Janda, Kenneth. Berry, Jeffrey. Goldman, Jerry (2008). The Challenge of Democracy (9th ed.). Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

    Read More

  • Checks and Balances

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    Janda, K., Berry, J., Golman, J., & Hula, K. (2009). The Challenge of Democracy: American

    Read More

  • The Pledge Of Allegiance Essay

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gwen Wilde wrote an essay on “Why the Pledge of Allegiance Should be Revised.” In this essay, Gwen believes that the words “under God” should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Gwen informs us that the original Pledge did not include “under God” and the words were not added until 1942, therefore, the words can easily be removed. Although some changes have been made to make it clear that the Pledge of Allegiance is for the United States Gwen believes that the words “under God” do not show any support for our country and only make those who do not believe in God feel uncomfortable. Therefore, Gwen believes that “under God” is not appropriate for the Pledge and does not show that we are a Nation that is “indivisible.”

    Read More

  • The Second Challenge: Imperial Judiciary

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America's Future. Washington, DC: CQ, 2010. Print.

    Read More

  • One Nation, Under God

    2046 Words  | 5 Pages

    With sounds of youthful laughter, conversations about the students’ weekends, and the shuffling of college ruled paper; students file into their classrooms and find their seats on a typical Monday morning. As the announcements travel throughout the school’s intercoms, the usual “Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance” becomes no longer usual but rather puzzling to some students. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.” Confusion passes through some of the student’s minds. With the reoccurrence of “God” in the backdrop of American life, the relationship between church and state has become of little to no matter for American citizens just as it has with American students. While congress makes no law respecting an establishment of religion, the term “freedom of religion” presents itself to no longer be the definition of “free”, while also having its effects on debates today. According to Burt Rieff, in Conflicting Rights and Religious Liberty, “Parents, school officials, politicians, and religious leaders entered the battle over defining the relationship between church and state, transforming constitutional issues into political, religious, and cultural debates” (Rieff). Throughout the 20th century, many have forgotten the meaning of religion and what its effects are on the people of today. With the nonconformist society in today’s culture, religion has placed itself in a category of insignificance. With the many controversies of the world, religion is at a stand still, and is proven to not be as important as it was in the past. Though the United States government is based on separation of church and state, the gover...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Pledge Of Allegiance

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many students all across America stand and salute to the flag every morning and repeat these words, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, To the republic for which it stands, one nation, Under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” There are controversy behind these words of historical allegiance, and that is why many people are refusing to stand for the pledge. This nation was founded upon freedom and liberties, and with those liberties comes with the freedom to choose your religion. The words “Under God”

    Read More

  • The Pledge Of Allegiance

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    First, I would like to talk about the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. Many people today recite the Pledge of Allegiance but do not know the history that took place behind it. The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written more than a century ago. The original pledge was: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all . The flag serves as a symbol of our country and its proud traditions of freedom and equal opportunity. In the 1920s, the National Flag Conferences replaced the phrase “my Flag” with “the Flag of the United States of America.” In 1954, Communist threats occurred causing Congress to add the words under God to the pledge. Then 12 years later, Congress reviewed the Pledge of Allegiance and added the words “Under God .” While reciting the Pledge of Allegiance it should be recited by standing placing your

    Read More

  • Google: Don’t Be Evil

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dye, T. R., Zeigler, H., & Schubert, L. (2012). The Irony of Democracy (15th ed.).

    Read More

  • America's Democracy

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    Works Cited Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America’s Future – Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2004. Landy, Marc and Sidney M. Milkis. American Government: Balancing Democracy and Rights.

    Read More

  • The Pledge of Allegiance

    1844 Words  | 4 Pages

    Before analyzing the above described controversy, we must first examine the history of the Pledge itself. Written by Francis Bellamy, it was originally titled the “Pledge to the Flag” and was created in the late 1800’s to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It originally read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all” (McCarthy, 2005). Changes were later made to include the words “of the United States” and “of America” to indicate which flag was being referenced. The final changes to the Pledge came in 1954 when it officially became titled the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the words “under God” were added after “one nation.” This addition to the Pledge was meant to support the United States as a religious nation. While signing the law to put this change into effect, President Eisenhower said, “In this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war” (McCarthy, 2005).

    Read More

  • Conflict Between the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government

    1742 Words  | 4 Pages

    Landy, Marc and Sidney M. Milkis. American Government: Balancing Democracy and Rights. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

    Read More

More about My American Freedom

Open Document