Can somebody shortly explain me what that "Pledge" is all about?

Question

I'm European, so please explain it to me as if I were a 5 year old American kid.

I see all the debate in this section about "Under God" in the Pledge.

This seems to be the text:
"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."

When do you use that? In what sorts of situations? And what really interests me: why does anybody use it? I just can't imagine myself being in one situation where I actually had to say something like that.

So, please help. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The USA is a child of the British Empire that loved to plant its Flags everywhere. The kids just borrowed a page from Mommie Dearest. I don't think the USA Imperialism was pulled off as successfully either. AS Globalization is the new Imperialism, we'll see if the kid gets it any better there.

Pledges are generally said in schools--atheists & religious exceptions allowed (as every country indoctrinates its young to breed patriotism) and sports games (where "teams" and "colors" are partically important--reminding All spectators of the "larger team" keeps Fans from continuing the fight after the game is over, when their team looses) and occasionally Religious Gatherings, Temples, Churches, etc. ... except for the Quakers and such that don't pledge allegiances. New citizens memorize it as a club membership ritual ... regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliation.

'Under God' is debatable as the USA doesn't have just one God as defined by All its citizens. Freedom Of Religion can even mean Freedom From Religion ... the people who added the 'under God' wording to the original pledge probably forgot about that Right.

The 'Under God' spoke of an ideal too ... much polarization comes in the USA from Conservative Political Leaders who seem to have difficulty keeping church and state separated, claiming God is on Their Side in their political decisions (yes, the Bush Administration) making themselves in many eyes 'Above God'. Too bad. Thank god! their serving terms are limited.

Nobody is Perfect. In a Democracy Everybody gets a shot at making Mistakes. Ideally Equality = Liberty & Justice for all. However, when Capitalism is God, that ideal can become lost. Capitalism can divide a Nation's peoples giving liberty and justice to the highest bidders. Buyer Beware, as they say.

So the answer to your question is NO. I couldn't explain it shortly. ~Sorry Markyyy.

Answer 2

Every schoolchild says it every morning at the start of the school day, as a chorus, standing and facing the flag with right hands over their hearts. It is sometimes said at school assemblies and possibly at town meetings and other patriotic occasions.

The problem is that children are required to say this, and some religions prohibit using the name of God so lightly. People who are Jehovah's Witnesses, for instance, do not say the Pledge.

The other problem is that the "under God" part was NOT originally in the pledge. In the 1950s, I think, it was added, but now people are getting all crazy and fighting about how it should stay in regardless of the fact that it's trampling on the beliefs of those who can't say it and those who don't believe in God at all.

It's a tricky situation to have to fix, and anything that combines religion and public school in this country gets very unpleasant very quickly.

Answer 3

Hello,
The pledge is used at many times:
-School children repeat it, often dayly.
-It is part of the oath of citizenship.
-Many organizations use it in there ceromoies.

It is allowed that the words, "under God", not be spoken.

It is all tied up in our flag fetish. There is a feeling of pride in the country for our flag and other national symbols. The flag appears at many businesses and social gatherings. You would be surprised how many you see just driving down the street. It is considered poorest educate to miss handle the flag, and a rather lengthy set of protocol are commonly known and followed.

There is a strong and common sense that the flag represents the fallen solders of our country. They are viewed almost as fallen martyrs, and strong feelings are stirred when this symbol is desecrated.

I'm a rational man, but I do admit to be subject to some degree to this cult of nation. My heart does swell when I see Old Glory catch the breeze. I do think of those who fell defending her, and the notions described in the pledge. When she passes I doff my cap and hold it to my heart. These feelings are widely felt in the States.

I suppose it has simply grown to have a place in our culture. I can see how difficult it would be to understand it as we yanks would have in say the place of the monarchy in British life.

Answer 4

In elementary school and in some junior and high schools you may be required to recite the pledge first thing in the morning. It's supposed to instill a sense of commonality among the students, letting them all know they're American.

After that, it has absolutely no use and is never uttered. It becomes replaced with the national anthem at sporting events and military ceremonies, seeing as to how most grown adults realize they do not have to acknowledge a god that they do not worship or believe to be non-existent.

Hope that clears things up. Have a great day.

Answer 5

I never understood it myself.

1 - It starts off, "I pledge allegiance to the FLAG...."

A flag is a piece of cloth. That's all it is. It's used to symbolize the country, but it isn't the same as the country.

Wouldn't it be more meaningful to pledge allegiance to your country, than to the piece of cloth?

2 - Like Michael Newdow, I don't like the "under god" part. Which god? Thor? Poseidon? Lugh the Long-Handed? Thoth?

3 - "With liberty and justice for all" - IMHO, that's not always true in practice.

So, I just don't say the pledge at all. I'll stand still and be quiet while it's being said, out of respect, but I won't say it myself.

Answer 6

Good question. Its something kids say in school every day and people say at public events. It was written without the phrase "under God", which was added in the mid 20th century. I do not say it, as I am not a nationalist and the under God part is total BS. Even if I believed in God I would think that. America has perpetrated some great evils. I am glad to be here, but I do not believe "my country right or wrong".

Answer 7

It's just a statement meant to say that people of the USA will stand for the USA. No one has to say it. I'm sure in your country you have such statements. In what way will you stand behind your countries decisions? This support is usually proclaimed by a statement of faith in the government of the country.
I haven't said it since grade school, and now that i look back on it, I think it may have been a form of brain washing.

Answer 8

The only two places I've ever seen it used is during elementary school and Vacation Bible School at some churches. Other than that, I've never seen it used.

I find it odd that we require our children to pledge allegiance to anything when they're not old enough to understand what it is they're saying or what it means. And even if they are old enough, it's never explained to them.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

It's a gratuitous bit of fluff for various ceremonies, mostly. It used to be said daily in classrooms across America. And this is where I have a problem with the 'under God' part of it: I don't want my kids to feel coerced into paying lip service to a mythological mass murderer.