Under God?
Soon, a decision will be made on whether we remove "under God" from the pledge of allegiance. I for one would like to keep it there, even though it wasn't in the original pledge, and was added in June of 1954.
I think Docherty made a good statement when he said:
"This is a nation built on the principle that there is a God, but it doesn't define it. It could be the Christian God. It could be the Judeo God. It could be the Buddhan god, it could the Mohammedan God. But it's built on a vertical relationship with God."
In 1953 the Gallup organization conducted an anonymous poll: "It has been suggested that the words, "under God," should be added to the Oath of Allegiance to the flag so that it would read: "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." Would you favor or oppose this change?"
69% - yes
29% - no
10% - no opinion
± 3% Margin of Error
March 28, 1953,
Sample Size= 1,602
Were we in the middle of the cold war battling godless communism? Yes. Did it make a difference? Yes. Was it the only reason for adding the words, I don't think so. There is absolutely no reason to believe the people interviewed anonymously by this poll were responding out of the fear of being painted with the red brush and being linked to godless communism.
On the other hand, The First Amendment, which guarantees free speech as well as freedom of religion, clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."
Recognizing God in the Pledge is making a law respecting an establishment of religion. Therefore the phrase "Under God" should be removed. QED.
One of the reasons I feel I'm leaning towards keeping it is because I'm a creature of habit, I was taught it that way, I've recited it that way, and I've grown pride in my country through many years of reciting it.
What are your thoughts?