Terrorism, Patriotism and the Farce of the Pledge of Allegiance

Not to mention this was also not the first rewrite of the Pledge, but is the first rewrite of the Pledge to cause such a dilemma. It should be deemed inappropriate wording for a nation with diversity in all aspects in the view of the fact that what is supposed to unite us is actually separating us. A simple solution would be to either not say the Pledge or remain silent while others utter the words “under God”, but individuals may feel urged by peer pressure or otherwise viewed as un-American (57).

Since the Pledge of Allegiance was something that was recited every single school morning, it did not have much importance to me and just became a school routine, you stand up, place your hand on your heart, repeat the words, and sit down. Even at one point it became annoying to me. If you were to not fully participate you would be slightly scolded by the teacher or given a look. Now that I am older I have learned more about what it means and understand that it has an emotional meaning to some Americans. The Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic vow to the United States to remain loyal and obedient to the country that offers freedom and

The allegiance was originated in August, 1892 but did not include the words “Under God”, which was added in 1933. There was some concern of the change, considering separation of church and state. By forcing students and American citizens to cite the allegiance, you’re there by forcing them into a certain religion, which violates the first amendment, “Freedom of Religion”. By forcing them to stand during the allegiance they are there by betraying their own beliefs of where they come from or who they are. Some may look at it, as disrespect towards America or our war veterans, but it also shows disrespect towards those individuals. We are not only ignoring their beliefs but we are disrespecting their history, their family, and where they originally come

As a daily routine many schools have their students start by standing up, facing the American flag, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This is something that most students have memorized since kindergarten and in some cases even preschool. The students recite the pledge every morning and most of them don’t know what it means or aren’t really sure why they have to say it. If students don’t know what the purpose or the history behind something is, they generally don’t take the matter seriously, which with The Pledge being a serious matter, students need to know the history in order to show respect. The Pledge of Allegiance should be said every morning by students at schools in the USA and they should be aware of its meaning.

"I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under Congress, the Supreme Court, the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers, and the President, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Every American citizen must show loyalty to our nation, but do they have to show loyalty to “God”? When saying the pledge, one must elicit the words “one nation under God.” This not only contradicts freedom of religion, but it draws attention away from the purpose of pledging loyalty to America.

Newdow there have been four other cases filed against the pledge either fighting against it or for it. The words “under God”, stated within the Pledge of Allegiance creates a moral conflict because it has an influence on every American’s freedom of speech, freedom of religion, it defines the core values of our founding fathers and should not be removed from American’s daily lives.

All Americans are familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance, even if they cannot always recite it perfectly, but probably relatively few know that the original Pledge did not include the words “under God.” The original Pledge of Allegiance, published in the September 8, 1892, issue of the Youth’s Companion, ran thus: I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and justice for all. (Djupe 329) In 1923, at the first National Flag Conference in Washington, DC, it was argued that immigrants might be confused by the words “my Flag,” and it was proposed that the words be changed to “the Flag of the United States.”

In the essay “Why the Pledge of Allegiance should be Revised,” Gwen Wilde argues that the Pledge of Allegiance should be altered to better fit the image of Americans.Wilde states that the phrase “under God” should be removed due to the fact that only 70 to 80 percent of Americans “say they are affiliated with some form of Christianity,” and that the other 20 to 30 percent are unable to say the phrase “in good faith.” Wilde wrote her essay for a composition course at Tufts University. The following is a summary of her essay.

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave” is repeated over and over again to emphasize the foundation and morals of our country. We are thought to be free and courageous from our triumphs on the battlefield by other nation. Funny thing is that song was written in 1814, 195 years after slavery was established in the U.S and was still occurring. “the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” There are many problems with the pledge, not only is does it sound like a cult pledge but it is also forced upon people. You are shunned for not being patriotic enough and pridefully singing the national anthem. America, the birthplace of the hotdog, the first one the moon, and the runner

“Pledge Allegiance to our Flag” were all saying this words everyday in our lives. Our parents teaching us to say “Pledge Allegiance to our Flag” until we knew how to speak, we growing up become toddler, kid, teen and adult we all know this important words.

“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.

The Pledge of Allegiance is the vow of respect to the United States of America. A pledge is a promise , and that promise, as a United States citizen, is to be courageous and stand up for liberty and justice. Justice is the honesty and integrity to your rights. The Pledge of Allegiance emphasizes the most influential political philosophy, that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, written by John Locke, an English philosopher. The right to liberty, the freedom and independence to our rights.

Why are we so concerned about the Pledge when there are more important things going on? America wouldn't be as strong as it is today without the history that came before. By saying the Pledge of Allegiance, we are bringing history alive everyday. The Pledge is not trying to insult someone or their religion. We have been saying this Pledge for many years and many people have fought against it. Yet, people are not fighting against the statement "In God We Trust" that is imprinted on each and every coin in the United States. This is clearly just an argument created for the sake of it. The most arguments have been brought up by from students. Yet, they technically have no reason to protest. Students are not required to state the Pledge of Allegiance. They are allowed to opt out of it.

Seventy three years ago Congress got the United States out of what had turned into an unexpectedly embarrassing situation. It concerned the Pledge of Allegiance -- specifically, something called the Bellamy Salute Most people today have likely never heard of it, but the Bellamy Salute was once a constant part of the country's life. Until 1892, there was no such thing as a Pledge of Allegiance(Greene) The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of allegiance to the Flag of the United States and the republic of theUnited States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942.[1] The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day 1954 when the words "under God" were added. But since that day, lots of controversies happened regarding adding the word “Under God”. This event made some Americans upset. Pledging our allegiance to a flag that flies over a nation “under God” has become a point of contention for some. Gwen Wilde, a student at Tufts University, explains in her essay, “Why the Pledge of Allegiance Should Be Revised” that “the addition of the words “under God” is inappropriate, and they are needlessly divisive—an odd addition indeed to a Nation that is said to be