Do you believe that "Under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance?

Question

I personally say yes, because the meaning has been lost since its inclusion.

Originally, the document did not have it. Upon its addition in 1954, it was meant as an addition to make sure that Americans were to be humbled, knowing they aren't the best, so that they wouldn't become as arrogant as they are today. Also, to seperate us from the atheist Soviets with which we were in the Cold War.

Other people believe that it is in it because God is specifically looking over the United States. (America is no more special than any other country)

Answer 1

I was 15 years old when "under God" was added to the Pledge. That's when I stopped saying it.

The original Pledge of Allegiance is a wonderful piece of prose declaring love and loyalty for our country. I don't think there has been a more perfect oath ever written.

When they added the additional phrase, it was no longer a beautiful statement of love of country, but became a prayer.

We are not "one nation, under God".. We are one nation, period. We are diverse and all diversity is welcomed here. We welcome Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintus, Native American religions and Muslims. We welcome all - and their beliefs....we welcome those who have no beliefs. This is a nation made of many people from many walks of life. E Pluribus Unum.... Out of Many, One.

It should be removed. It was perfect as written.

Answer 2

I think that if there is going to be a ‘Pledge’ at all it should be to the US Constitution and the 100% secular government it created and sustains.

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alexg114 –

You’ve never actually read the US Constitution, have you?


Article VI:

•“The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

Note that it requires an oath to the secular Constitution and not to the Bible or any religious doctrine or document. There is not a single reference to God, Jesus, or Christianity anywhere in it. They were excluded – intentionally. The Democratic Republic established by the US Constitution was the first 100% secular government in all of human history.

And then there is this is passed by unamimous vote of the 1797 US Congress and signed into law by President John Adams:

•“As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,…”

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm


Given your ignorance of American history, do you really think that you should be lecturing people on the meaning of a document you are not familiar with and do not understand?

Answer 3

Yes. It is simply a violation of the separation of church and state. In god we trust should be removed from money as well.

Another poster mentioned that the constitution does not actual use the term separation of church and state. He is 100% correct. The phrase separation of church and state is generally traced to a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he referred to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. The phrase was then quoted by the United States Supreme Court first in 1878, and then in a series of cases starting in 1947.

However his other conclusions are 100% incorrect. The court has held time and time again that when the government displays religious doctrine, it is establishing that religion. The government also can not advicate religion over no religion or vice versa.

The government has no business endoursing in anyway any religion.

I also note with interest that the doctrine of many churches also requires a seperation of the church from the state and vice versa.

Answer 4

E Pluribus Unum.... Out of Many, One. New World Order mean anything to you. Under God should stay. Actually we should pray to God for Peace and lead our government to protect us from those who want to hurt us.

Answer 5

it wasn't there in the first place and it shouldn't be there now. it's clearly a violation of seperation between church and state,which is one of the principles that our country was founded on. not everyone in america is a christian or believes in the existence of a god.

Answer 6

I think each individual saying the pledge should be given the option. If you want to say under God, fine. If you don't, well, that's fine too. I don't know, fill in the blank with whatever you want. I don't see why people get so frigging offended. Pretty soon we'll be referring to God as "the G-word".

BTW - God Bless The Troops.

Answer 7

Morgana: glad to see you agree that "under god" doesn't belong in the pledge, the TRUE pledge was tampered with to add that phrase.

Answer 8

It was not part of the original pledge, the Knights of Columbus lobbied for years to get it added and it finally was, in the wake of McCarthyism. I think it should be removed.

Answer 9

I do. I think it alienates certain people who do not have similar religious views. I have heard it was added during the Cold War to set the US apart from the USSR.

Answer 10

True It was put in to piss of the commis.

I just don't say it in school.

I also don't except coins with under god crap on them.