why can you say 'god' in the pledge to US and to the state of texas?
i support the United States sooo much, but i dont believe in god.. so i have mixed feelings on the pledge..
2007-08-28 16:42:34 · 7 answers · asked by Chris 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you are quite justified
2007-08-28 16:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I wasn't alive at the time it was inserted into the U.S. pledge, but it sounds like it was politically motivated to me...thus, my personal opinion is that "under God" should never have been added to the pledge in the first place (and I'm a Christian) because of just such issues.
That being said, I don't believe that it violates the separation of church and state--The Constitution says that the U.S. will not "establish" a religion--I would interpret the word "establish" to mean an official law or regulation which obligates people to adhere to a certain religious (or non-religious) belief system, with negative consequences used to enforce such a law or regulation if people fail to comply. If children are *forced* to say the pledge (i.e. they will be suspended if they don't), then I would consider it a form of establishment; however, students are not so forced--they are merely given the opportunity, which they are free to decline if they so choose (and no, peer pressure does not negate this). Case in point from my own personal experience--when I was a senior in high school (1999-2000), the pledge took place during my calculus class...one morning we were having a test, and the teacher specifically instructed students *not* to stand and say the pledge, because he wanted to get everyone started on the test. When the pledge came over the intercom, I was the *only* one in the class who stood up anyway and recited it. Seems to me that religion was not being *established* here--in fact, if anything, it was being discouraged.
Thus, I feel that if atheists or others want "under God" taken out of the pledge, then this action should be taken through legislative channels, rather than the judiciary. In that circumstance, one does not have to show that religion is being "established"; rather, the will of the people, whatever that may be (within reason of course), is being serviced.
In Christ,
Christine
2007-08-28 17:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by faithcmbs9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Daughter has it absolutely correct. Just leave god out of the pledge next time you say it. Also, inferring from your question here, does Texas really have a state pledge? That's just crazy.
2007-08-28 17:01:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God wasn't added to the pledge until the Red Scare in the 1950's. It's NOT original to the pledge. They went through a whole lot of effort to keep God out of it. You will find NO reference to God in the Constitution. (The Declaration yes, but that isn't law)
2007-08-28 16:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Read the Northwest Ordinance and you'll find your answer.
ART. 3. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent; and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them. . . .
2007-08-28 17:13:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm christian and I'm not american, (studied american history though) but putting that aside.....
I know that God was a fundamental part in America's history and still is. So some people believe in Him and some don't but personally I don't think that would be a good excuse to put Him out of the pledge because its a national thing and like I said, God was and is still very impt. in America. He is the one that caused America to become what she is today, and I think you can see it clearly when you study US History. There's no way people brought about this great, bountiful nation by their own doing.
2007-08-28 16:52:59 · answer #6 · answered by ocean_girl 3 · 0⤊ 7⤋
check this out:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aral2jtlGQmYvQkpy855Yorsy6IX?qid=20070724125237AApyH4I
2007-08-28 16:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by Jenae, TV (tempter of the vile) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋