One Nation under GOD Since 1952 when these four words were first drafted into the Pledge of Allegiance, that phrase has remained synonymous with the United States of America and the spirit of the American People. But what does that really mean? And more importantly, what do those four words have to do with us today? Ronald Reagan once said, “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under”, which raises the question, “why?” Why is GOD so important to the United States of America? To answer that, one must journey to the start of our Country, July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was presented and signed by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of a nation. The next question is, if GOD is
“One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” does that sound familiar? If so, it is because nearly everyone in America knows these words like the back of their hand. However, most do not consider their importance. These words are a part of the Pledge of Allegiance. Pay attention to the beginning, “one nation,” a nation that changed significantly with the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase added 828,000 square miles which doubled the land area of the United States (history.com 1). The importance of the Louisiana Purchase can be best appreciated by understanding why this purchase was considered significant to the United States, why France agreed to sell such a sizable amount of land, and how the Louisiana Purchase changed the United States forever.
The heaven inspired Declaration of Independence laid out the enduring principle that governments are the divinely appointed means by which the people’s God given rights are preserved, and that Great Britain had been trampling the rights of the colonies rather than protecting them. When these courageous men of action assembled to architect a new government, they prayerfully endeavored to forge a form of governance that would be successful in protecting and defending human rights, and providing true liberty and equitable justice for all. The product of these efforts was the US Constitution.
From a young age, I remember starting a school day by standing, facing the American flag with my right hand placed over my heart, and reciting the pledge of allegiance. The pledge was as follows, “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”, however, that was not always how it was worded. The Pledge of Allegiance that many Americans know today has been rewritten many times, by the United States' government. Moreover, the language of the Pledge was changed in a straightforward way for American citizens to show their patriotism for America.
“The words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 to show the world the stark contrast between the United States of America and the Communist regime.” The words show the relationship between our country and our social system. This also shows that more than half of the country approved adding in the words “under god.” “The men who created our government were men of strong faith.” The men who created the government understood the rights that we inherit from God. Although our freedom does not come from government but, being a Christian in the government must of helped America get its freedom. In 1954, 80% of the country supported having “Under God” in the pledge, so it should
Following Goodwin’s position, she argues that the phrase “under God” is offensive because saying “one nation under God” does not cover all the religions; therefore, the phrase “under God” can’t be neutral with respect to all religious. The phrase “under God” does not accurately represent all religions. She explains that since many Americans don’t believe in god, appealing to logic rather than emotion convince them this phrase doesn’t represent all religions. The government should realize keeping the phrase or changing it won’t make it right. The only way to fix this issue is by removing the Phrase “under God” from the Pledge of
The history of the nation’s Pledge of Allegiance is a crucial component to this issue. Often times students are taught to recite the Pledge but not to understand the history and meaning behind it. The Pledge of Allegiance holds tremendous importance to this nation; an importance that is often forgotten. The reciting of the Pledge represents patriotism to America. In America citizens are tremendously protective of their rights. The First Amendment of the Constitution establishes religious freedom. The phrase “Under God” was not a part of the original Pledge but added in the early 1950’s. In the article, “One Nation, Under God: Tolerable Acknowledgement or Unconstitutional Cold War
“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.” The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written in 1892, but the version we all know and recite was rewritten in the year of 1954 when President Eisenhower convinced Congress to add in “under God” during times of communist threat. “I pledge allegiance,” when we are taught in kindergarten to say this with our hands over our heart, we are being coerced into pledging allegiance without even truly knowing what it is. We are promising to be loyal and devoted to the following things that are to be said. “To the flag of the United States of America,” the flag represents the land we are on which is the United States.
Derek Davis, the author of the article “The Pledge of Allegiance and American Values, makes many arguments on the dubious Pledge of Allegiance that come with many points to mention and consider. One of the fundamental concepts that he points out is the adoption of the word “God” throughout the United States Government. For instance, the phrase “... The Pledge of Allegiance, the most common symbols of American civil religions are the national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ which also appears on the U.S currency; the Declaration of Independence, has four references to
Liberty, justice and humanity are the three words that this nation is built around. While representing these eternal principles, the flag of the United States of America not only symbolizes the battles faced, but also the truths this country fights to upholds even to this day.
There is much unneeded controversy about if “Under God” should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance. The words “Under God” are very important and need to stay in the Pledge of Allegiance as they always have. There are many reasons that “Under God” is a vital part of the Pledge of Allegiance. First, “Under God” is not discriminating against other religions and beliefs but it is expressing what our nation was founded on. Secondly, “Under God” should remain in the pledge because most of the leaders of our country and the majority of the people that live here believe in a God. Although some people think that saying “Under God” in the pledge of Allegiance is forcing religion on some people the reasons to keep those words in the pledge greatly outweigh
I am against the words under god in our pledge. God has been a part of our history for quite a while, but he is in no way a part of our government. For those that do not know our Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, and although he may have been a Baptist minister, he made no hint towards god, or any higher power in the early pledge. That truly says something to the world. It portrays a sense of pride in America that did not come off as fascist, but of course pride eventually does evolve into fascism. In the 1950s the words under god were added to the Pledge of Allegiance because we felt that godless communists were going to ruin our American way of life. It was like a phobia had overcome America, and words would save us. It is one
Under God. Two words that have kindled so much controversy within our country. This is a heated argument that has began before we were even born. Many people argue that “under God” being in the Pledge is offensive towards others and their religions. Their viewpoint is that we need to respect others’ religious differences. The opposing side argues that “under God” is not offending others. I believe that the words, “Under God” should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance because the word God is symbolic to the faith and history of our nation, taking these words out will prompt conflict, and the phrase is not offensive.
“ 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.”
“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” And so finishes the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States of America. Whether or not a person would wish to identify our nation as a Christian one, there is certainly no doubt that the very oath that binds a person into serving it includes serving God. As it follows, many of our laws are centered around our understanding of the Bible, and the morality that can be gleaned from it. Even in our modern time, where the lines are becoming more and more blurred, eighty-three percent of Americans still identify themselves as Christian. A common national ideology is that our country has a favored nation status with God; thus it is our responsibility to ‘sow the
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This is the original pledge of allegiance and many will pick up the difference right away and notice two words missing after “one nation.” In fact, on Flag Day 1954, the words “under God” were added to the pledge. Today, this connects to the question: Is god and religion necessary? Is “under God” in the pledge and “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency necessary? Well, the debate is heating up as religion and atheism/agnosticism clash on the role of religion. Although many believe the opposite, religion and even more so organized religion is no longer as necessary as it once was, and in many cases it is more harmful than good. In fact, religious affiliation is declining, so much so that in a 2012 study done by the Pew Religion and Public Life Project it was found that, “More Americans than ever are saying that they are ‘spiritual, but not religious’... nearly a fifth of those polled said that they were not religiously affiliated. That number has increased to 23% in the latest study”(Reiss). This is also seen in a decline of people who believe in a god as millennials(1980-) lead the pack with 25%(Leonhardt). Religion, regardless of its decline, still has its grasp on society and it is seen in the clash between evolution vs. creation and science vs. religious faith. This includes religion in the U.S. where separation