The Pledge of Allegiance, as it is currently written, has no place in the elementary public school system. The pledge was meant to be inclusive and to instill a sense of patriotism among American’s. However, when you force people to be united under one God then it is no longer inclusive. Particularly, children do not have the cognitive ability to fully comprehend this pledge. The department of education, local school districts or principles should mandate the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in elementary schools nor should they impose any penalties on the children.
Francis Bellamy wrote the original pledge of allegiance in August 1892. He wrote I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, …show more content…
When the Pledge of Allegiance was written, Christianity was the primary religion in the United States. Bellemy did not include any variation of God when he wrote the pledge. Perhaps he understood that this very sentiment goes against the Constitution on which America was built on. Looking at religious statistics as of 2017, approximately 70% of America is Christian; the other 40% is not. Saying the pledge effectively alienated 40% of our population; which is the opposite of being united. If there is freedom of speech and freedom of religion, then why force a pledge on anyone?
In 1943 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that no official, high or petty, can persuade any person in matters of religion, opinion or force citizens to confess by oath and pledge in religious proclamations. But this break was short lived. Post 9/11/01 the respite from forcing the pledge of allegiance in schools ended. The educational systems then sought to instill and reconfirm a sense of religious patriotism in the schools. One might agree that this could have been done by reciting the original version rather than the current one. Not everyone believes in God and those that do disagree with pledging allegiance to anyone but God. Forcing children to say that they are one nation under God is unethical and goes against what they learn at home. It is imperative that the school system work alongside the parent and not against the
Francis Bellamy wrote the original pledge of allegiance in August 1892. He wrote I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, …show more content…
When the Pledge of Allegiance was written, Christianity was the primary religion in the United States. Bellemy did not include any variation of God when he wrote the pledge. Perhaps he understood that this very sentiment goes against the Constitution on which America was built on. Looking at religious statistics as of 2017, approximately 70% of America is Christian; the other 40% is not. Saying the pledge effectively alienated 40% of our population; which is the opposite of being united. If there is freedom of speech and freedom of religion, then why force a pledge on anyone?
In 1943 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that no official, high or petty, can persuade any person in matters of religion, opinion or force citizens to confess by oath and pledge in religious proclamations. But this break was short lived. Post 9/11/01 the respite from forcing the pledge of allegiance in schools ended. The educational systems then sought to instill and reconfirm a sense of religious patriotism in the schools. One might agree that this could have been done by reciting the original version rather than the current one. Not everyone believes in God and those that do disagree with pledging allegiance to anyone but God. Forcing children to say that they are one nation under God is unethical and goes against what they learn at home. It is imperative that the school system work alongside the parent and not against the