Why did they add 'under god' into the pledge of allegiance?

Question

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

Who and when did they add those words? Why did they add that? If you could discard those words, would you, why?

Answer 1

The words were added because a while back the country was majorly Christian, so they wanted to represent themselves as a Christian nation, and I would like to have it taken out because we are not a Christian nation, that completely goes against the American ideology. I thought we were a melting pot, not a Christian stew.

Answer 2

The change was partly motivated by a desire to differentiate between communism, which promotes Atheism, and Western capitalistic democracies, which were at least nominally Christian. The phrase "Atheistic Communists" has been repeated so many times that the public has linked Atheism with communism; the two are often considered synonymous. Many consider Atheism as unpatriotic and "un-American" as communism. Most communists, worldwide, are Atheists. But, in North America, the reverse is not true; most Atheists are non-communists. Although there are probably many Atheist and Humanist legislators at the federal and state levels, few if any are willing to reveal their beliefs, because of the intense prejudice against persons holding these belief systems.

Answer 3

You say it like they wrote the whole thing, then added 'under god'. This pledge was written by a Christian. Our money says on it, "In God we trust." These "additions" simply reflect the tradition of Christianity in our country. However, America is becoming more and more exclusively secular, while trying to maintain a certain level of respect for Christianity. I suppose I would not leave the words off because i believe in God and what group of people is not 'under God.'

However, I do suppose since we are pledging to our country and not God or relgion, we could just as well leave it out.

Answer 4

It was at the height of McCarthyism. A period of wild paranoia about the evil atheist Russians, They actually thought that putting Gods name into the oath would prevent Communists from reciting it. It was to make sure no commies invaded New York.

other views
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/06/26/pledge.allegiance/

Edit; The "Under God" phrase was not always there.
Americans obviously are pretty weak on American history.

Answer 5

It was added because America was founded by Christians. I also have a comment for Bronze Again. If you dislike the pledge so much then get the hell out of this country. Our country was founded under God, so that's why it's in there not because Americans dislike non-Christians. Get over it, that's the way it's always been and that's the way it will always be.

Answer 6

I am given to understand that it was done at Eisenhower's behest, during the dark period of US history called McCarthyism, where witch hunts were back in vogue against "communists" (in a "free" country people can be of any political affiliation they wish, except the ones the government doesn't want you to have) and homosexuals especially. Dress wearing CIA bosses were fine, though, it would seem.

Answer 7

that was part of the original pledge it was not added actually i think that it was going to be removed because it offended people which i think is crap. Our country was founded on religious freedom one of the reason why our country broke away from England so yes i do think it should stay in the pledge i am not really a religious person but i am a patriot its part of our history and guess what if you don't like it well them maybe some people need to go to another country to live in. This really just upsets me that people want to come to this country or even if you have been here all your life and you are Jewish or Muslim or what ever and certain people or certain religious groups say that things like this offend you well get over it you want to live in this country the deal with it its part of our heritage its not meant to offend people its just been there its why people have come to our country because they want some type of freedom that they could not get in their country again its one of the reasons our country was founded so if it offends just get over it. I know this may not be what your question was geared about but that's just my 2 cents and this was in no way a slam on the Jewish or Muslim community i just used it as an example.

Answer 8

The phrase, under god, was added during the 1950s. Sen McCarthy was running around accusing everybody of being a communist, and atheists were considered communists.

Answer 9

Yes, I would discard them because they are unconstitutional -- it goes against "separation of church and state", seems to be a violation of the first amendment to me.

Hey Kirstin, you are so wrong. Read a history book.

Answer 10

In the 1950's Eisenhower era. To prove that we weren't like the communists.