Essay about Remove God from the Pledge of Allegiance

Each morning, millions of students across America recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the thirty-one words that essentially summarize the meaning of being an American. The pledge was intended to bring Americans together and unite them. However, two out of these thirty-one words, “under God,” contradict the United States Constitution, which protects the freedoms of Americans. There are many different religious beliefs in America. Religion for many people is seen as a sensitive subject, and it may cause a breakdown within the people. Therefore, the Pledge of Allegiance should be interdicted so that we, Americans, can have our rights that we deserve.

The Pledge of Allegiance has gone through several changes since it was written over one hundred years ago, but none of these changes have had as much controversy attached to them as the addition of “under God.” Written in 1892 by a minister named Francis Bellamy, the pledge was written for a national patriotic school program, in which children throughout the country would recite his words while facing the American flag. Words have been added, phrases have been altered for clarity, and even the correct way to salute the flag has been changed. While the vast majority of these changes were important, for example the salute being changed from a Nazi-esque extended right arm to the child’s hand over their heart, “under God” does not add anything of meaning to the Pledge. This phrase is not a necessary or beneficial part of the Pledge of Allegiance and should be removed by the President.

Before examining both sides of the issue, the phrase, “under God” should not be in the Pledge of Allegiance. Including the term, “under God”, violates the idea of separation of church and state, which is deeply rooted in the U.S Constitution. Now after analyzing both sides of the debate, I still support removing the phrase, “under God”, but the reasons for doing so has changed. For example, despite opposing viewpoints claiming that the U.S federal government and documents have many allusions to religion and God, Founding Father Thomas Jefferson firmly believed that religion should not be involved with politics (ProCon). The term “under God” originally did not exist in the Pledge of Allegiance; it was only in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower

“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.” The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written in 1892, but the version we all know and recite was rewritten in the year of 1954 when President Eisenhower convinced Congress to add in “under God” during times of communist threat. “I pledge allegiance,” when we are taught in kindergarten to say this with our hands over our heart, we are being coerced into pledging allegiance without even truly knowing what it is. We are promising to be loyal and devoted to the following things that are to be said. “To the flag of the United States of America,” the flag represents the land we are on which is the United States.

Many people ask if we should keep “under god” in the pledge of allegiance. We should keep it in there because it has been in there since the pledge was ever invented, It is a national symbol for American society. The pledge of allegiance has nothing to do with church or state. It is a patriotic saying to show our loyalty to our country and show support to our troops. If it wasn't for the pledge of allegiance this country would have nothing to stand up for. I feel that if it offends people to say the pledge the way it was written then they shouldn’t say it at all. If they have a problem with the way our pledge is written they don’t have to say it at all. The pledge is being said less and

(Harrison, Maureen. Gilbert, Steve. Landmark Decisions of the United States Supreme Court II.) The public schools systems are not trying to offend anyone. They are trying to uphold the system of educating American students. The views of a few people should not influence the greater good of the Pledge of Allegiance. It has been recited for many years and for many years people have fought against it. People are not fighting against the statement “In God We Trust” that is imprinted on each and every coin in the United States. There is no need to change the Pledge it is there for Americans to recite to show their appreciation to a grateful nation and as a way of saluting the American Flag. Mudhillun Muqaribu wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times titled God and the Pledge: My Brother’s Quest. Mudhillun writes that he is a Muslim who grew up in America. When he was younger, other students made it clear to him and his siblings that “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance did not apply to them. He says that he began sitting out of the Pledge in the sixth grade. The main point of his letter was to applaud Michael Newdow for upholding religious diversity in America. (Muqaribu, Mudhillun. Letter. New York Times). Mudhillun was not persecuted by anyone for his decision in sitting out in the Pledge; it was his decision and he was respected for that. Michael Newdow and the others who argue against “Under God” in the Pledge have the right

The First Amendment is about the freedom of religion and being able for anyone to express what they believe if the government was forced to remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance it would violate the freedom of religion of those who do believe in God. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (“First”). If congress did make a law restricting the use of ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance it would be a breach in the rights of American citizens. Included in that is the complication of the fact of freedom of speech which in addition to freedom of religion is a part in the Amendment. “It [the First Amendment] guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely” (“First”). By not allowing citizens to say the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance would be breaking the inalienable rights of all American

Socialist minister Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in August 1892. In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. Then in 1954, President Eisenhower encourages Congress to add the words "under God." Communist threats during that time period lead to the issue of whether those words should be added. This resulted in the pledge that many American citizens know and say today: "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." This pledge states the federal government’s promises to all American citizens. Since our Founding Fathers declared the United States’ independence from Great Britain on July fourth, 1776, American politicians have hailed our country as both a beacon and leading exemplar of individual liberty and freedom. Although the pledge states “...liberty and justice for all,” the United States has not lived up to the promise of freedom and the claim in the Pledge of Allegiance because it does not apply to every citizen, even though that is what the Pledge of Allegiance promises; immigrants were, and still are, mocked and discriminated against, and certain genders, races and religions are not given the same rights as others and are treated differently.

Those who do not support the standing and reciting “Pledge of Allegiance” mostly have conflict with the words, “under God.” This is understandable for those who do not identify as Christians to say those two words. In 1954, the phrase “under God” was added to show resistance to the Communist Movement in America. Keeping with tradition and the support of capitalism, “under God” is a valid part of the Pledge therefore each

Why the pledge of allegiance should be revised, by Gwen Wilde, is a very well written essay that the reader would most likely deem convincing. Gwen Wilde states that the Pledge in its latest from simply requires all Americans to say the phrase “one nation, under God,” when many Americans do not believe in God. She uses many different writing strategies to get her point across in a very precise and appropriate manner. Although there are some minor problems, this analysis will explain how Gwen Wilde uses certain writing strategies that are able to back her argument with a very convincing approach.

“I pledge allegiance to my flag and for the republic for which it stands: one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This was the original pledge, it should also be the current pledge. When President Eisenhower was in office in 1954, he made it law that “under God” was to be put in the pledge. It was not until Judge Alfred T. Goodwin argued that those two words violated one of the most important parts of the first amendment to many American citizens. Many people come to America to seek religious freedom. It is evident that “Under God” should be taken out of the pledge by showing that it goes against the first amendment, it has had an affect on our history, and it can confuse young kids in school.

There have been several versions of The Pledge and the one that we currently recite today was revised back in 1954 when president Eisenhower reacted to the communist threat. The original version was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, who had hoped that countries around the world would recreate their own versions. Now, in most states reciting The Pledge at school is a state law. The Pledge consist of students standing up, facing the American flag, placing their right hand over their heart, and saying the words “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.” In other places when The Pledge is being recited its considered

The Pledge of Allegiance was taught to me at a very young age. Most children in the United States learn the Pledge in Kindergarten. As a child I never questioned the phrase “Under God”. Perhaps I did not question it because I was raised as a believer of God. Fortunately, with age, I have become more of a critical thinker. I have become more cultured and knowledgeable to the people who differ from me. Not every American citizen is a believer of God; there are various religions with different or multiple gods. Also many American citizens do not believe in God or any type of higher power. The phrase “Under God” in the Pledge is a current social issue being debated constantly. I am going to investigate both sides of this issue and determine if God should be mentioned in the Pledge of Allegiance.

This has become a very controversial topic these days because of one line in the pledge, “under God” This is a “questionable religious reference” (Tucker 1). “Congress and President Eisenhower add “under God” to the pledge” (Tucker 4) in 1954, this is completely unnecessary because it brings religion into the pledge of the country and some groups of people do not believe in god, yet they are being forced to say excluding California. Such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, a group of people that do not believe in serving the country, but believe in serving god. Ultimately, our counties schools should not be obliged to recite this pledge. It is “outdated and unnecessary” (Tucker 1). Using California as an example, it does not affect the performance of students, but does affect

Prayer plays such a big role in many people’s lives. It happens each and every day and multiple times throughout the day. Even though it can play a huge role in someone’s life, it cannot be practiced in schools. Prayer in school has been a very controversial topic for many years. According to Steven K. Green, “On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment by constituting an establishment of religion (Green 1).” It has since then been taken out of school preventing teachers to preach or teach about religion.