G D In The Pledge Of Allegiance example essay topic

The pledge of allegiance has always been a patriotic chant used by Americans in times of happiness and in times of distress. The pledge was first written by a Baptist minister names Francis Bellamy in 1892, and was published in the family magazine of the time called The Youth's Companion. As the chairman of a committee of state superintendent of education, Bellamy prepared the program of the public schools' celebration for Columbus Day in 1892. He structured the program around the American flag raising salute to his "pledge of allegiance". This is how the pledge first came into being a custom of recitation in our modern public schools. As time went on and the pledge continued to be recited, phrases were changed and added on to fit the times.

Bellamy's 'My flag' was transformed 'to the flag of the United States of America' in 1923 by the National Flag Conference. In 1954 two words were added to the pledge by President Eisenhower and Congress that would make the pledge a prayer as well as patriotic oath. The words 'under G-d' were now part of the pledge of allegiance. "Under G-d" was added by congress at the height of the Cold War to distinguish between the United States and "godless" communism. These two words are presently under a lot of speculation especially by atheists and liberals but it is especially controversial if the pledge should be said in public schools when there are children who come from non religious homes and homes who do not believe in G-d. With all the controversy and criticism about whether 'under G-d's hould still be recited in the Pledge of Allegiance, it still should be recited as part of our culture and patriotism and for those who do not believe in G-d can regard this phrase as a ceremonial deism.

There is a lot of conversation if 'under G-d' is even considered a religious belief at all. For those who believe it is, then 'in G-d we trust's hould be taken off the American currency and all other places where we use the word G-d. Sheldon H. Nah mod, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law refers to these phrases as "ceremonial deism" and not in religious context. January 2003, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco decided that 'under G-d' in the Pledge of Allegiance constitute an official endorsement of deism-the belief in a single G-d. They said that in the context of the pledge these two words are considered a belief in monotheism.

According to this decision atheists and the non religious do not want their children reciting the pledge in school. A long line of U.S. Supreme Court cases hold that the Constitution requires the government to be neutral on the subject of religion. The only way that 'under G-d' can stay in the Pledge and be found consistent with the Constitution is if the phrase had somehow lost all its religious meaning. The above statement can not be complied with, as shown by all the uproar of the court's decision. This case was brought by a Californian atheist, Michael Newdow who was concerned about his 9 year old daughter having to recite 'under G-d' when her public school class says the pledge. Even though the children are not forced to recite the pledge of allegiance and are allowed to sit silently while their classmates do, Newdow and others like him are concerned that their children will be ridiculed and ostracized for not participating.

The ninth circuit ruling will cover Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, And Washington state. These are the only states directly affected by the ruling and their public schools will not be allowed to recite the pledge of allegiance anymore. The ruling will not take effect for several months, to allow for further appeals. The case will probably end up in the Supreme Court because of all the controversy it is causing in the political world and media. According to those who believe that "G-d" is religious statement and it is violating the separations of church and state so we should no longer recite the pledge of allegiance in our public schools probably question the use of "In G-d We Trust" on the nation's currency and our patriotic songs with the word G-d in it. "The ninth circuit is the most overturned court appeal in the country and is considered by legal scholars to be the most liberal". (p. 11) the critics of the court decision are flabbergasted with the court's decision as well as President Bush.

As Whitehouse spokesman Ari Fleisher puts it: The President's reaction was that this ruling is ridiculous". (p. 1) The Declaration of Independence, which is what America stands on, refers to god or to the creator four different times. Congress begins each session each day with a prayer to god. The white house views this as a mistaken decision and the department justice is now evaluating how to seek redress for it. If this is what our courts are deciding, we are in for a lot of trouble because a world in denial of god is not going to be a good world. Circuit Judge Alfred T. Goodwin is for the court's decision and believes that by stating "under G-d" we are actually stating that there is a G-d and that is already not neutral in respect to religion. (p. 1) the appeals court said that an atheist could see the mention of god as an endorsement of monotheism. John Newdow defended his actions by saying that he is fighting for the constitution.

"The issue is whether or not the government should be placing religion in the public schools or anywhere else", he said. (p. 5) Newdow would have a valid point except for the fact that the constitution only prohibits the government from proclaiming faith in one specific religion and this is not the endorsement of an actual religion. It is the simple expression of faith in G-d. (p. 7) This court case is one of the most difficult ones about the separation of church and state. The reason for this is because it involves the public schools which include young innocent children that are prone to peer pressure and feel a strong need to be in the "in crowd". The Supreme Court held that even if this law is passed it does not mean that every mention of religion is forbidden, but will just have to draw the live to make everyone happy. (p. 8) Atheists and non believers feel alienated by the pledge because of the words "under G-d". They should note that the majority of the country will feel strange not to include G-d, The Creator, in any of our patriotic songs, currency, and pledge of allegiance.