The Pledge of Allegiance to school children is merely another part of their morning. While it does unify Americans under one flag and one promise, it actually excludes certain groups of people, specifically those who are not members of the monotheistic religion the nation was founded with: Christianity. Fortunately, this could be solved by revising the pledge. However, should the pledge be recited at all?
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who actually did not write “under god” in the pledge. The phrase was added in 1854 by Dwight D. Eisenhower during his presidency. At the time, the U.S. was competing against communism in the Cold War. President Eisenhower believed it that it would combat the spread the ideas of the “godless” communism (Smithsonian.com).
While the pledge can be used to unify the American people, the phrase “under god” makes the pledge unconstitutional. This promotes monotheism, which can conflict with Americans who are polytheistic, atheist, or don’t have a religious affiliation. Furthermore, it seems to also focus the god In this case, it would violate the first amendment, which protects the people’s freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion.
In 1943, a Jehovah Witness student was unable to recite the pledge because of their religion. This conflict was not as easy to …show more content…
If a student is seen not reciting the Pledge, they are seen as an outcast, showing little to no respect for their country, a country whose fundamentals include “freedom of speech.” If said “freedom of speech” exists, why are students seen as outcasts when they choose to not recite the pledge? The Pledge may not be legally required, it is seen as a cultural and social
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who actually did not write “under god” in the pledge. The phrase was added in 1854 by Dwight D. Eisenhower during his presidency. At the time, the U.S. was competing against communism in the Cold War. President Eisenhower believed it that it would combat the spread the ideas of the “godless” communism (Smithsonian.com).
While the pledge can be used to unify the American people, the phrase “under god” makes the pledge unconstitutional. This promotes monotheism, which can conflict with Americans who are polytheistic, atheist, or don’t have a religious affiliation. Furthermore, it seems to also focus the god In this case, it would violate the first amendment, which protects the people’s freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion.
In 1943, a Jehovah Witness student was unable to recite the pledge because of their religion. This conflict was not as easy to …show more content…
If a student is seen not reciting the Pledge, they are seen as an outcast, showing little to no respect for their country, a country whose fundamentals include “freedom of speech.” If said “freedom of speech” exists, why are students seen as outcasts when they choose to not recite the pledge? The Pledge may not be legally required, it is seen as a cultural and social