Americans: why did you let the christians highjack the pledge of allegiance?

Question

Before 1954:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

After 1954:
"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"

While _which_ god isn't exactly specified I think it is clear that it's the christian god. Not Zoltar, Zeus, Vishnu, or anybody else.

Now what will you do with all the people who adhere to differing belief systems in your country? Will you convert them all to Christianity?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

It was a Presbyterian minister who made the difference in 1954 by preaching a sermon about Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The minister was George MacPherson Docherty

After the service concluded, Docherty had opportunity to converse with Eisenhower about the substance of the sermon. The President expressed his enthusiastic concurrence with Docherty’s view, and the very next day, Eisenhower had the wheels turning in Congress to incorporate Docherty’s suggestion into law.

Answer 1

The change to the pledge was supported, for the same reasons many supported the US entering Iraq. Their president played on the patriotic fervor of the people; in this case, using this as a tool to show the common citizen how different we were from those 'godless communists'.

It should be removed, but as long as the fundys lobby in DC, it won't be.

Answer 2

Obviously, you don't know American culture. Your article as interesting as it may be forgot two the things: Around 80% or more Americans are Christian and that there is an American Civil Religion.

The US Congress cannot promote any religion (denomination) but the American people can believe what they like. The common basis of American belief is the American Civil Religion. One concept of that religion is God, as expressed in "God bless America".

Congress past a law in 1954. Either the Federal Court System can deem the law unconstitutional or Congress can repeal it. So far, neither has done so.

America is a nation of Laws. As a result, American rights are protected. Having God in the pledge or not is probably one of my lowest (if not the bottom) priority, and if certain groups feel that adding the word God to a pledge then they can lobby for its removal. But the word God in a pledge does not promote a religion. Maybe theism, but that is not a denomination.

Usually the word God in a text is a form of prayer. Do you honestly believe citing the pledge is a prayer? I think not. I don’t think I add anything that you didn’t know, but just because you don’t like something, please don’t blame the Christians. 1954 is quite different than 2007.

Answer 3

I didn't. I wasn't born yet for another 8 years and by then the dirty work was done. You might lay the blame on another member of the Wisconsin population Joseph McCarthy......he certainly helped push it through. Because it was thought that godless Communists wouldn't be able to say the word God in the Pledge that's why the Pledge was changed.
It won't be changed back. If you don't like it, do what I do, just don't say those two words, or mean whichever God you want (which I've also done) It's all in whay you intend. Words are just that. They're intent.
Now stop being naughty. Do what you want but don't force others....I know, don't start.....sigh.....

Answer 4

I didn't personally, but it sure pisses me off. I don't think anyone should feel they have to recite that part - and I say that as a Christian. I have no problem with someone pledging allegiance to country or god, I just say keep it separate! And trying to convert other people is wrong!

Answer 5

Christians did not hijack The Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, It may have been some so call religion, but not Christians. As for me, It does not make any difference who stands close to me, When I pledge The allegiance, I will say it the proper way, & if the foregners don't like it, they can go back to there country. I am a USA citizen & no one & no government will force me against my beliefs.

Answer 6

The Supreme Court only passed on it because of a technicality. They know they would have to find the '54 law unconstitutional. It will get there in a year or so and get shot down.

The Christians will wring their hands and say how awful it is and a few years later, it will be forgotten.

Answer 7

This nation was supposedly founded as a repository for ALL religious belief systems - including, the freedom to worship (or not) as one chooses . . .
I fully agree with your premise (question) . . .
The more relevant question, for today, would perhaps be:
Why do 'we, the people' allow the "under God" statement, to remain in this pledge? when we continue to tout a belief in separation of church and state?

Answer 8

I was born in 1955.

And at the time, following WWII and the atomic bomb fears, "under God" was seen as an assertion of American difference from Communism and as verbal saber-rattling in the Cold War.

And let's face it. The Christians did it because they were such a majority they COULD do it. It's an example, albeit a small one, of the tyranny of the majority.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 9

I was not around in that time. I imagine if I was around, and fortunate enough to know enough regarding Yahweh being fake I would have still not because of the vast oppression, and persecution placed amongst those who did not believe in a Christian God.

Answer 10

It isn't clear that God is the Christian God just by the reading this pledge. But it is very clear that we only have one God. The God that made us, this world and everything in it is clear. That is why we state this pledge daily, out of respect for God and this country.

If you take offense at this honoring of God and our country, you can always try a different country. Chances are that country will have a more "casual" honoring of their flag and they may also have better weather for you! Good luck in your new home.