The Electric Buzz
The Pledge of AllegianceForbidding America’s Greatness? Thursday, June 29, 2006 By Rebecca L. Stoner
Not too long ago, every child in every school across America would stand every morning and remove their hats, place their right hand over their hearts and recite, with passion and appreciation these 31words: “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.” Now, in the 21st century, parents all over America are protesting, saying that they find it offensive that their children should have to recite the pledge while it contains two words that, in their opinions, should not be uttered in schoolhouses, or courthouses; “Under God”. Recent studies state that at least 80% of American’s are Christian. However, as a brief history; the Pledge of Allegiance was not published until September of 1892, and was not recited in schools until the next month, (October). The original pledge read “I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the republic for which it stands one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” As years went on, changes were made. Not until June 22, 1942 was the pledge made official, and one year after that the US Supreme Court ruled that children in schools should not be forced to recite the pledge as a daily routine, in other words, they could participate if they wanted to, but it was not required. The biggest and most dramatic change to the Pledge of Allegiance happened on June 14, 1954 when Pres. Eisenhower agreed to adding the two words “Under God” into the pledge. The first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America says that: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” But does standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance which says “One Nation under God”, establish a certain religion? The Term “Separation of Church and State” was first mentioned in writing by Thomas Jefferson and is not mentioned in the US Constitution, therefore is not a law. The only references in the constitution concerning “Separation of Church and State” would be the first amendment and Article VI section 3 which simply states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” However, any scholar that is well grounded in American history would know that America would not be as great as she is today if God had not been included in her foundation. Alexis De Tocqueville, author of “Democracy in America” said that: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it vas not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” God is the Foundation of goodness, and goodness is the source of Greatness. Tocqueville realized this, and his words are as true today as when they were written over one hundred years ago. In March of 2000, a suit was filed by Mike Newdow who said that his daughter should not have to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance every day before school because it mentions “under God”. By forbidding God in our schools, even if it is only to recite the pledge of Allegiance once a day we would be forbidding America’s greatness. Will we sacrifice what makes America great? What is the solution to this arising problem of God’s goodness and greatness being forbidden in our nation? The solution is easy; teach history. Teach the students of America why America was founded. Teach them patriotism; give them leadership skills that are required to keep America true to what our Founding fathers established. Instill into their minds the truth of goodness and greatness that America is founded upon, so that when they are adults, they shall not forsake and forbid it. Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s greatest leaders and presidents said: “America will never be destroyed by the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Will we forsake the foundation that our Nation was built upon, and destroy ourselves? Will we forbid America’s goodness, her greatness? The choice is entirely our own. Sources: http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/Alexis_de_Tocqueville Mac, Toby and Tait, Michael with Wallbuilders “Under God”, 252 |