June 16, 2011
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I pledge allegiance
Prior to 1954 the words “under God” were not in the pledge of allegiance. They were added under pressure from Christian leaders in a time of heightened nationalism and Communist fear in America. This period in American history was heavily authoritarian and ripe with the automaton conformity of it’s citizens. Today, only 3/4 of Americans believe in the Christian god mentioned in the pledge. Therefore, tens of millions of US citizens are left out.
Interestingly, the pledge was written by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist Socialist minister. He wrote the original Pledge in August 1892 as a tribute to the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ “discovery” of the continent and for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. It was meant to bring a sense of national solidarity to schoolchildren and citizens. His original pledge also included the word equality alongside liberty and justice. It was not included in the official pledge. It should be noted the official pledge was adopted prior to both Civil and Woman’s Rights in America.
If we are truly a inclusive country, with liberty, justice and equality for all, the pledge should revert to its original form.
This cartoon was made in 1939.
Comments (17)
Have you read The Children’s Story by James Clavell? Wiki Link here: The Children’s Story.
@sleekpeek - no, I never read it. It sounds very interesting.
That is interesting. I have my doubts that the pledge will ever be taken back to its original form. No way, unfortunately.
Thanks for the history lesson. I like the allegiance to be “under God”.
From my Christian perspective, taking “under God” from the pledge won’t make it any less an act of religious devotion, just as adding “under God” didn’t make it any less idolatrous.
I don’t like saying the pledge of allegiance, period. In high school, I would stand but I wouldn’t say it. It makes me uncomfortable.
great point! sometimes, history, even in it’s purest, non-biased, factual evidence point of view, people would rather be ignorant than to know the truth.
I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion here.
Cool video of Porky. The 48 star flag is the one I grew up with. Seems like whoever was responsible for making the pledge “official” might have been aware that all certainly were not equal in this country and had the integrity to leave it out. Interesting post!
I don’t say the pledge of allegiance. I will be a good citizen of this country but I don’t feel the need to hold to some creepy, ritualistic vow of devotion to a piece of cloth. It’s way too much like religion, in my opinion.
I made it a point to not ever say the pledge of allegence when we did it in school every morning. Had nothing to do with “Under God” , I just always had a problem with authority even when I was a first grader.
I don’t think it should. I like the “under God.”
I didn’t know this!! Cool. I like it that way better, it is more inclusive of EVERYONE from our country. Not just the Christians.
I don’t say the pledge of allegiance anyway.I believe all nations are under God. Our just thinks they own God.
@tendollar4ways -
hahaha I just envisioned that.
I also had a problem, but not with authority, but rather with the exclusivity of it.
Kristen, I love my country and the under God part, but
I understand it is not fair to expect non believers to assert what they don’t believe. I did not know this regarding original framers. Thanks. This was news to me.
Wow… I totally did not know that… I’m definitely going to keep this in mind when someone brings this up. Not that I mind having “under God” in the pledge or anything, but this is a really insightful argument.
Probably you should do away with it all together and stop brainwashing your kids into thinking that there is justice and liberty for all in the United States.