Should the Words “Under G-d” Be in the Pledge of Allegiance?

1. Should the Words “Under G-d” Be in the Pledge of Allegiance?

2. Introduction • There are many interesting facts about the pledge of allegiance. • The original pledge of allegiance (yes there was more than one) was written by Francis Bellamy in August 1892. Francis was a Christian socialist. • There were 3 variants of the pledge of allegiance: the original (written 1892), the 2nd pledge (written 1923) and the 3rd and current pledge (written 1954). (Baer).

3. Introduction On 2002-JUN-26, a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2 to 1 to declare the Pledge unconstitutional because of the addition of the phrase "under G-d.“ This decision only affects the states of AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR and WA. The ruling stating that "the text of the official Pledge, codified in federal law, impermissibly takes a position with respect to the purely religious question of the existence and identity of G-d." (Robinson)

4. Introduction • Should the words “under G-d” be in the pledge of allegiance? Many people have strong opinions on whether “under G-d” should be there (even Obama). In my paper the pros & cons of having “under G-d” in the pledge and schools will be explained.

5. Pros • For more than two hundred years, many of our expressions of national identity and patriotism have referenced G-d. • The Supreme Court, which opens each session by saying 'G-d save the United States and this honorable Court,' has affirmed time and again that such official acknowledgments of our Nation's religious heritage, foundation, and character are constitutional.

6. Pros • The Department of Justice will continue vigorously to defend the ability of American school children to pledge allegiance to the flag. (Gonzalez). • This explains that the word G-d has been in politics for a very long time & that it is already integrated into the American way of life. This makes the word G-d seems like a vital right for the men woman and children of the U.S.

7. Pros • In the 1940's, a school was sued by Jehovah's Witnesses who felt it immoral to pledge allegiance to anyone or anything other than G-d, and who were offended their school would require them to violate their religious faith. • This case wound up in the Supreme Court as West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, where the Court ruled it was unconstitutional to force people to recite the Pledge.

8. Pros • Not only did the forced pledge violate freedom of religion for Jehovah's Witnesses, it violated freedom of speech for all students (Medic). • This states that is “immoral” to not have the word G-d in the pledge. It also said that the forced (2nd) pledge violates freedom of religion and of speech.

9. Pros • There is nothing more American than the Pledge of Allegiance and an acknowledgement of G-d is at the heart of our founding principles and is our nation’s motto. • The district court ruling [Eastern District of California's Newdow v. US Congress ruling] seriously undermines our ability as a nation to encourage civic pride, respect for our heritage, and much-needed patriotism in our public square. (Brownback). • This states that acknowledgement of G-d is a principle of the U.S. It also states that G-d is our “nation’s motto”. It makes trying to get G-d out of the pledge seem to destroy civic pride and respect for our history.

10. Pros • A sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. • Not every mention of G-d in public is a breach to the wall of separation -- context matter

11. Pros • It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase 'under G-d.' I didn't. (Obama). • This explains that saying “under G-d” has no affect on young students. It also means that saying G-d doesn’t violate the boundaries between church and state.

12. Pros • "The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. • This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible." (Henry). • This states that religion is part of what makes the U.S. strong.

13. "...It is not only the right thing for the Court to find in favor of Mr. Newdow and the principle of neutrality toward religion in the First Amendment's Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses. It is also in the national interest to do so.”(Hamilton). This states that saying “under g-d” in the pledge attacks the principle of neutrality toward religion in the First Amendment's Free Exercise and that he nation should change. Cons

14. "We're dealing with schoolchildren and with role models in schools who are required to lead it. The circumstances are inherently fraught with compulsion or coercion and we feel that's a violation of church-state separation."(League). This states that forcing the pledge to be read by children coerces them into believing in G-d. It also says that it violates separation of church and state. Cons

15. “Obviously, it violates the principle of free speech to force people to say things they may not believe. And let's face it: few teenagers in America believe this country has "liberty and justice for all.“ Cons

16. An American youth, every day, suffers the lack of liberty and witnesses the lack of justice”(Medic). This states that the pledge violates free speech by having “under G-d”. Cons

17. Most countries that call themselves "free" do not force people to recite pledges.”(Medic) This states that forcing people to say the pledge violates freedom. Cons

18. "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."(Jefferson). This states that there should be laws favoring a religion however, there should be free exercise of religion. Cons

19. Do you think that being forced to say the pledge violates freedom of speech and/or religion?

20. Do you think it’s wrong to force students to recite the pledge?

21. Do you think religion is necessary for building a strong country?

22. Do you think that atheists should have to say the pledge?

23. Should “Under G-d” be in the pledge of allegiance?

24. Data Analysis • According to the results obtained in the survey, adults and students had sharp contrasts and strong similarities in their opinions about the pledge of allegiance. • Over half the students thought being forced to say the pledge violated freedom of speech & or religion; however over half of the adults thought it didn't violate those freedoms

25. Data Analysis • Half of adults & over half of students think that it is wrong to force people to recite the pledge. • This shows that people think that the pledge she be an option recitation.

26. Data Analysis • Almost 3 fourths of adults and a little less than 1 half of the students thought that religion wasn't necessary for building a strong country. • This shows that people believe that church has nothing to do with state.

27. Data Analysis • 1 third of student aren't sure if atheists should have to say the pledge. • This shows that forcing atheists to recite the pledge is a difficult subject for students.

28. Data Analysis • . In summary, people don't think that religion is necessary or should be forced but are unsure about removing it from their public lives.

29. Conclusion According to the results gathers in the survey, adults and students had contrasts and similarities in their opinions about the pledge of allegiance. The survey shows that adults and students have different views on being forced to say the pledge violating rights.

30. Conclusion The survey shows that adults and students have similar views on being forced to say the pledge. The survey shows that adults and students have very similar opinions on the necessity of religion in a country.

31. Conclusion The survey shows that adults and students have similar opinions on atheist being forced to say the pledge. The survey shows that adults and students have similar views on whether or not “Under G-d” should be in the pledge.

32. Conclusion The survey was on: “under G-d” in the pledge, atheists and the pledge, as well as being forced to recite the pledge.

33. Bibliography • Bibliography: • (Baer, John, The Pledge of Allegiance, available at http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm accessed March 18, 2011) • (Robinson, B.A., The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, February 7th 2010 accessed March 22, 2011, available at http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_pled1.htm) • (ProCon.org. “Religious Heritage vs. Religious Coercion" UnderG-d.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 29 May 2009. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.) • (Medic, Bill, Pledge of allegiance vs. Freedom, accessed March 30, 2011, available at, http://www.proyouthpages.com/pledge.html) • (ProCon.org. “National Interests and "Under G-d" UnderG-d.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 29 May 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2011). • (ProCon.org. “Separation of Church and State" UnderG-d.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 29 May 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2011). • (ProCon.org. "Founding Fathers on Religion in Government”UnderG-d.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 29 May 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2011).