Why did US Congress think it was okay to add "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954?

Question

On June 14, 1954, Congress passed legislation to add "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. Why did they believe that these words reflected a country of diverse beliefs and opinions? Why would they put these words immediately before "indivisible," when it's clear that religion is one of the most dividing factors in our nation?

*PLEASE-- whatever your religious beliefs, if any, don't get started on whether God is real or not. This has no bearing on the context of my political question.*

...and why do we still have these words in the Pledge?

Answer 1

Because the Knights of Columbus lobbied for the words to be added in order to show the differences between America and the "godless atheists" of Communist Soviet Union.

Answer 2

I would imagine that, contrary to today's culture within the United States, our "Nation" was FOUNDED upon Christian-Judeo "principles". Since you asked NOT to discuss things about "God" in this answer I will respect that request. Nevertheless, those "words" were added at a time in the United States when the people of this country DID "stand together" following the first World Wars and just recovering from the war in Korea. They were included at a time when our Nation was at the height of her Power and Glory and the Sovereignty of our Nation was both unquestioned and unchallenged. THAT is why the words were added and for the most part, at a time when the Nation WAS NOT at variance between each other concerning the faith...except for the already CONFLICT that existed between the Protestant and Catholic Church. It is BECAUSE of the persecution of the Catholic Church against the True Church that the Explorers took to the Sea in order to "search" for a "new land" where they could practice "religious freedom" apart from the constant persecution of the Catholic Church which has to this very day, more innocent blood dripping from their hands than all the wars together throughout history of the true Church. This is a fact that the Catholic Church would rather have buried and unknown to the Modern World...and her worst days of persecution against the innocent have yet to came and be fulfilled.

Answer 3

The founding fathers did not base the Constitution on the Bible or the Ten Commandments. There is no mention of God anywhere in the Constitution. If fact most of the founding fathers where Deists. The Constitution is loosely based on English common law, the Magna Carta and the Iroquois Federation. Most references to God that were put on our money and the Pledge came later. Like many people answered earlier, "under God" was put in because of the Red Scare.

Answer 4

Come now, don't be silly.

The phrase "under God" is all-encompassing and recognizes diversity, because it doesn't say WHICH God. It doesn't say "Under Jesus." It could even mean the God of atheism, which is no God at all. It's just a variable, like "X."

The pledge isn't legally binding. So there is absolutely no reason the phrase could be harmful or should be stricken from the pledge. The Declaration of Independence also mentions God ("Creator" and "Nature's God"). Likewise, the DoC is not a legally binding document, so it all matters not. You're all getting your panties in a twist over nothing.

Should the Declaration be altered, or ripped out of every schoolkid's history book because he might be psychologically damaged by seeing or saying the word "God"? Of course not. Let us abandon such foolishness.

GRAMMATICAL NOTE:

If you're asking whether it's proper use of the language, then it's very simple:

If we are anywhere in relationship to God, it would be "under." We certainly aren't ABOVE God. I guess we could say we are "behind God" or "in God" or "at God" but those would sound goofy. "Of God" would sound presumptuous.

"Next to God" would also be weird, and "with God" would imply we are all dead. "Between God" would be absurd. No, the most sensible preposition to use in this case is indeed "under" - hence, "Under God."

LoveJack.

Answer 5

this nation was founded by men that believed in God and that morality stemming from that belief was the key to having a free society and liberty ... this is a fact ... so if you dont want to believe or support the beliefs and traditions this country was founded on why dont you just renounce ur citizenship and leave? and im sick of all the bs about religeon being the worlds big problem and people trying to convey the idea that somehow a belief in God is the reason behind the worlds problems ...why am i sick of it? because its not a new idea and people pat themselves on the back like they think its a solution .... yes, its an idea that been around for many centuries and is usually accompanied with historic accounts of genocide tyrany and repression ... so you can "can" that and leave to if you dont like the traditions of your country.

Answer 6

Suggest you start by examining the founding fathers. Their religious beliefs were indeed a unifying factor in their coming together.

And asking your question about God while limiting answers to non-religious responses is fairly disingenuous. Like asking a math question and limiting answers to the numbers 6 and 8.

And religion is not cleaerly one of the most dividing factors in our nation. Ignorant wretches who think they know religion and parade around shooting off their unfounded opinions about it are a contributing factor to a divisive situation (see the fundamentalist "moslem" terrorists who have co-opted the Islamic faith).

Intelligent disagreement over religion is not divisive - instead it weeds out the ridiculous and least probable. Note how few people believe in Thor or Zeus...

Answer 7

First off, let us reflect why our first settlers came to America. Could it be religious freedom? Why yes, it was!!!! I am certain that way back in '54, of course that was a time of love of country, mom and apple pie and it was OK to say a prayer in school, it was thought that by adding 'under God' was the 'right' thing to do. Too bad it's not that way anymore. Maybe that's what's wrong with us today. Too much sex, drugs and money and not enough God. P.S. I'm not a relgious fanatic.

Answer 8

When they founded our nation there wasn't a question of wether or not you believed in God they just said you can worship Him however you choose. They also used to pray before every meeting and all that stuff. While this country was founded on freedom of religion. It was God fearing people who founded it.

Answer 9

Perhaps because the founding fathers based a lot of their actions and much this constitution on principles in the bible. Perhaps this was to show that we are one nation, of many cultures and ethnicities, under 1 God.

Answer 10

Because they felt it's a good idea to put God and Country together, probably due to some pressure from religious leaders.

Today they use God as the reason for putting their nose where it don't belong.