Loading...

Messages

Proposals

Stuck in your homework and missing deadline? Get urgent help in $10/Page with 24 hours deadline

Get Urgent Writing Help In Your Essays, Assignments, Homeworks, Dissertation, Thesis Or Coursework & Achieve A+ Grades.

Privacy Guaranteed - 100% Plagiarism Free Writing - Free Turnitin Report - Professional And Experienced Writers - 24/7 Online Support

Statistics on the pledge of allegiance

04/12/2021 Client: muhammad11 Deadline: 2 Day

Why the Pledge of Allegiance Should be Revised

By: Gwen Wilde

(This essay was written for a composition course at Tufts University.)

All Americans are familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance, even if they cannot always recite it perfectly, but probably relatively few know that the original Pledge did not include the words “under God.” The original Pledge of Allegiance, published in the September 8, 1892, issue of the Youth’s Companion, ran thus:

I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and justice for all. (Djupe 329)

In 1923, at the first National Flag Conference in Washington, DC, it was argued that immigrants might be confused by the words “my Flag,” and it was proposed that the words be changed to “the Flag of the United States.” The following year it was changed again, to “the Flag of the United States of America,” and the wording became the official—or, rather, unofficial—wording, unofficial because no wording had ever been nationally adopted (Djupe 329).

In 1942, the United States Congress included the Pledge in the United States Flag Code (4 USC 4, 2006), thus for the first time officially sanctioning the Pledge. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved adding the words “under God.” Thus, since 1954 the Pledge reads:

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. (Djupe 329)

In my view, the addition of the words “under God” is inappropriate, and they are needlessly divisive—an odd addition indeed to a Nation that is said to be “indivisible.”

Very simply put, the Pledge in its latest from requires all Americans to say something that some Americans do not believe. I say “requires” because although the courts have ruled that students may not be compelled to recite the Pledge, in effect peer pressure does compel all but the bravest to join in the recitation. When President Eisenhower authorized the change, he said,

In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war. (Sterner)

Exactly what did Eisenhower mean when he spoke of “the transcendence of faith in America’s heritage,” and when he spoke of “spiritual weapons”? I am not sure what “the transcendence of faith in America’s heritage” means. Of course many Americans have been and are deeply religious—no one doubts it—but the phrase certainly goes far beyond saying that many Americans have been devout. In any case, many Americans have not been devout, and many Americans have not believed in “spiritual weapons,” but they have nevertheless been patriotic Americans. Some of them have fought and died to keep America free.

In short, the words “under God” cannot be uttered in good faith by many Americans. True, something like 70 or even 80% of Americans say they are affiliated with some form of Christianity, and approximately another 3% say they are Jewish. I don’t have the figures for persons of other faiths, but in any case we can surely all agree that although a majority of Americans say they have a religious affiliation, nevertheless several million Americans do not believe in God.

If one remains silent while others are reciting the Pledge, or even if one remains silent only while others are speaking the words “under God,” one is open to the change that one is unpatriotic, is “unwilling to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.” In the Pledge, patriotism is connected with religious belief, and it is this connection that makes it divisive and (to be blunt) un-American. Admittedly the belief is not very specific: one is not required to say that one believes in the divinity of Jesus, or in the power of Jehovah, but the fact remains, one is required to express belief in a divine power, and if one doesn’t express this belief one is—according to the Pledge—somehow not fully an American, maybe even un-American.

Please notice that I am not arguing that the Pledge is unconstitutional. I understand that the First Amendment to the Constitution says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. “I am not arguing that the words “under God” in the Pledge add up to the “establishment of religion,” but they certainly do assert a religious doctrine. Like the words “In God we trust,” found on all American money, and the words “under God” express an idea that many Americans do not hold, and there is no reason why these Americans—loyal people who may be called upon to defend the country with their lives—should be required to say that America is a nation “under God.”

It has been argued, even by members of the Supreme Court, that the words “under God” are not to be taken terribly seriously, not to be taken to say what they seem to say. For instance, Chief Justice Rehnquist wrote,

To give the parent of such a child a sort of “heckler’s veto” over a patriotic ceremony willingly participated in by other students, simply because the Pledge of Allegiance contains the descriptive phrase “under God,” is an unwarranted extension of the establishment clause, an extension which would have the unfortunate effect of prohibiting a commendable patriotic observance. (qtd. In Mears)

Chief Justice Rehnquist here calls “under God” a “descriptive phrase,” but descriptive of what? If a phrase is a “descriptive phrase,” it describes something, real or imagined. For many Americans, this phrase does not describe a reality. These Americans may perhaps be mistaken—if so, they may learn of their error at Judgment Day—but the fact is, millions of intelligent Americans do not believe in God.

Notice, too, that Chief Justice Rehnquist goes on to say that reciting the Pledge is “a commendable patriotic observance.” Exactly. That is my point. It is a patriotic observance, and it should not be connected with religion. When we announce that we respect the flag—that we are loyal Americans—we should not also have to announce that we hold a particular religious belief, in this case a belief in monotheism, a belief that there is a God and that God rules.

One other argument defending the words “under God” is often heard: the words “In God We Trust” appear on our money. It is claimed that these words on American money are analogous to the words “under God” in the Pledge. But the situation really is very different. When we hand some coins over, or some paper money, we are concentrating on the business transaction, and we are not making any affirmation about God or our country. But when we recite the Pledge—even if we remain silent at the point when we are supposed to say “under God”—we are very conscious that we are supposed to make this affirmation, an affirmation that many Americans cannot in good faith make, even though they certainly can unthinkingly hand over (or accept) money with the words “In God We Trust.”

Because I believe that reciting the Pledge is to be taken seriously, with a full awareness of the words that is quite different from when we hand over some money, I cannot understand the recent comment of Supreme Court Justice Souter, who in a case said that the phrase “under God” is “so tepid, so diluted, so far from compulsory prayer, that it should, in effect, be beneath the constitutional radar” (qtd. in “Guide”). I don’t know his reasoning that the phrase should be “beneath the constitutional radar,” but in any case I am willing to put aside the issue of constitutionality. I am willing to grant that this phase does not in any significant sense signify the “establishment of religion” (prohibited by the First Amendment) in the United States. I insist, nevertheless, that the phrase is neither “tepid” nor “diluted.” It means what it says—it must and should mean what it says, to everyone who utters it—and, since millions of loyal Americans cannot say it, it should not be included in the statement in which Americans affirm their loyalty to our great country.

In short, the Pledge, which ought to unite all of us, is divisive; it includes a phrase that many patriotic Americans cannot bring themselves to utter. Yes, they can remain silent when others recite these two words, but again, why should they have to remain silent? The Pledge of Allegiance should be something that everyone can say, say out loud, and say with pride. We hear much talk of returning to the ideas of the Founding Fathers. The Founding Fathers did not create the Pledge of Allegiance, but we do know that they never mentioned God in the Constitution. Indeed the only reference to religion, in the so-called establishment clause of the First Amendment, says, again, that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Those who wish to exercise religion are indeed free to do so but the place to do so is not in a pledge that is required of all school-children and of all new citizens.

Words Cited

Djupe, Paul A. “Pledge of Allegiance.” Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics.

Ed. Paul A. Djupe and Laura R. Olson. New York: Facts on File, 2003.

“Guide to Covering ‘Under God’ Pledge Decision.” ReligionLink. Religion

Newswriters Foundation, 17 Sept. 2005. Web. 9 Feb. 2007.

Mears, Bill. “Court Dismisses Pledge Case.” CNN.com. Cable News Network 15 June

2004. We. 9 Feb. 2007.

Sterner, Doug. “The Pledge of Allegiance.” Home of Heroes. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Feb.

2007.

Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing

1. Analyze the sources used in this essay. What is each source? Which source has an editor? Which source lacks an author? Are the sources varied, scholarly, and recent? Do they enhance the credibility of the author or diminish it?

2. Summarize the essay in a single paragraph.

3. Does the background material about the history of the pledge serve a useful purpose? Should it be deleted? Why, or why not?

4. What arguments does the writer offer in support of her position? List each point of evidence and determine what type of support each point of evidence demonstrates.

5. List the acknowledgements of any counterarguments the author makes. Is this adequate, or does the writer appear blinded by his or her own perspective? Why, or why not?

6. Which is the writer’s strongest argument? Is any argument notably weak, and, if so, how could it be strengthened?

7. What assumptions—tacit or explicit—does the author make? Do you agree or disagree with them? Please explain.

8. Chief Justice Rehnquist wrote that the words “under God” are a “descriptive phrase.” What do you think he meant by this?

9. What is the purpose of the Pledge of Allegiance? Does the phrase “under God” promote or defeat that purpose? Explain your answer.

10. What do you think about substituting “with religious freedom” for “under God”? Set forth your response, supporting your reasons.

11. Devise an AP Analysis Essay question related to this essay.

Homework is Completed By:

Writer Writer Name Amount Client Comments & Rating
Instant Homework Helper

ONLINE

Instant Homework Helper

$36

She helped me in last minute in a very reasonable price. She is a lifesaver, I got A+ grade in my homework, I will surely hire her again for my next assignments, Thumbs Up!

Order & Get This Solution Within 3 Hours in $25/Page

Custom Original Solution And Get A+ Grades

  • 100% Plagiarism Free
  • Proper APA/MLA/Harvard Referencing
  • Delivery in 3 Hours After Placing Order
  • Free Turnitin Report
  • Unlimited Revisions
  • Privacy Guaranteed

Order & Get This Solution Within 6 Hours in $20/Page

Custom Original Solution And Get A+ Grades

  • 100% Plagiarism Free
  • Proper APA/MLA/Harvard Referencing
  • Delivery in 6 Hours After Placing Order
  • Free Turnitin Report
  • Unlimited Revisions
  • Privacy Guaranteed

Order & Get This Solution Within 12 Hours in $15/Page

Custom Original Solution And Get A+ Grades

  • 100% Plagiarism Free
  • Proper APA/MLA/Harvard Referencing
  • Delivery in 12 Hours After Placing Order
  • Free Turnitin Report
  • Unlimited Revisions
  • Privacy Guaranteed

6 writers have sent their proposals to do this homework:

Peter O.
Fatimah Syeda
Top Class Engineers
Top Class Results
Smart Accountants
Phd Writer
Writer Writer Name Offer Chat
Peter O.

ONLINE

Peter O.

I am a PhD writer with 10 years of experience. I will be delivering high-quality, plagiarism-free work to you in the minimum amount of time. Waiting for your message.

$19 Chat With Writer
Fatimah Syeda

ONLINE

Fatimah Syeda

I am an academic and research writer with having an MBA degree in business and finance. I have written many business reports on several topics and am well aware of all academic referencing styles.

$49 Chat With Writer
Top Class Engineers

ONLINE

Top Class Engineers

After reading your project details, I feel myself as the best option for you to fulfill this project with 100 percent perfection.

$36 Chat With Writer
Top Class Results

ONLINE

Top Class Results

I am an academic and research writer with having an MBA degree in business and finance. I have written many business reports on several topics and am well aware of all academic referencing styles.

$50 Chat With Writer
Smart Accountants

ONLINE

Smart Accountants

As per my knowledge I can assist you in writing a perfect Planning, Marketing Research, Business Pitches, Business Proposals, Business Feasibility Reports and Content within your given deadline and budget.

$23 Chat With Writer
Phd Writer

ONLINE

Phd Writer

I have read your project description carefully and you will get plagiarism free writing according to your requirements. Thank You

$50 Chat With Writer

Let our expert academic writers to help you in achieving a+ grades in your homework, assignment, quiz or exam.

Similar Homework Questions

The vampire diaries the awakening book pdf - Code cracker flash version - Whats for lunch two way frequency tables - Reserve bank of australia museum - Importance of professional association. - Silver acetate and sodium chloride - Inherit the wind essay - Week 5 Assignment - Bsbfim601 manage finances answers - Earth sun seasons animation - 24625 103rd st salem wi - Greedy smith love harmonica - A people's history of science miners midwives and low mechanicks - I line panelboard catalog - Zero mean unit variance normalization matlab - 69.0 kg in stones and pounds - What is an informative text - National Labor Relations Act - Starbucks change management case study - Ielts verification candidate identity - Transition words for sequence of events - Drag racing slang words - Professor sri prasad urology - A lesson before dying matthew antoine - American history by alan brinkley pdf - Unity gain bandwidth of 741 op amp - Cable act of 1922 - Mpa to kn m - Comprehensive Customer Analytics - IOM Report - The premier business oriented social networking site - Learning sealed air - Bmaa sigma - Leadership style of google ceo - An inspector calls context - 10 page essay compare and contrast Missouri and us constitution - Worlds of the text - Beet rosti with rosemary - The minefield poem analysis - What is the purpose of earthing transformer - Champion n5c heat range - 978 1 259 73278 2 - Fortitude piano sheet music - The jeaning of america summary - Cambridge english first use of english part 3 with answers - Fill in - Business Finance Homework - D5 other work related expenses - Winfield refuse management inc case solution - CLA 2 PPT - Presentation for the Business Research Proposal - Describe perplexity and wonderment as ways to god - Match the following terms with their definitions - Curved arrow to the left - Maya angelou i belong nowhere - Material safety data sheet register template - Discussion Question - Rare and precious things epub - Everything You Need to Know About a Tax Attorney - Golden leaf foundation board of directors - Iso software quality standards - Write a essay - When describing your own culture from an etic perspective for your final research paper, you should - Is anti static bubble wrap necessary - A beam of protons traveling at - Can someone help me with my Week 2 Discussion 2 in Organizational Behavior? - Evidence of seafloor spreading - Stanford genetics and genomics certificate - Qcaa physics data booklet - Killer instinct ripper 415 rural king - Essay needed - 5 pages paper - Energy trasnformation flow chart - Fin 320 4 3 excel assignment - The family crucible chapter summary - Statistics for the behavioral sciences edition - Www luton gov uk luton bins - Don funk scene 1 production tasks - Juniper ssg 550 eol - How to delete recordings on shaw pvr - Stop googling let's talk summary - Database Management system - Synthesis of triphenylmethanol lab report - Benefits of xs energy drink - 8 steps of ethical decision making - Shameless show psychology - Psychology + cyberpsych + interactive e-text code - A storage tank containing oil sg - Discussion Question 1 week 8 - Richard of st victor on the trinity summary - Sheffield hallam university library - Information security - Security Strategies - The wallace group case study problems and solutions - The nature of social science research maggie walter - Backward Design: The "Big Picture." - The mobile crane has a weight of - The texas indians who attacked austin's colony - Average heart rate of daphnia magna - Determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin c tablets lab report - Standard components of a digital marketing plan - Proactiv target market