"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."
While there are many different religions, beliefs, and denominations in our free country, our pledge, however, states "One Nation Under God," which is what our country was founded upon. Our declaration of independence, and our Constitution were both Biblically based documents. The foundations of our country were founded upon a Biblical standpoint, but that doesn't help with those who are not "Biblical" per say. However, I argue the fact that while God is capitalized as it is in the Bible, the pledge NEVER says that it is the Christian God that our nation lies under. It may imply it, but it is not what it says. The government has not and will not tell us to which God the pledge lies under, that is up to the domain of each individuals faith.
Dwight D. Eisenhower stated on his Flag Day speech, "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty. To anyone who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to contemplate this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to our country's true meaning. Especially is this meaningful as we regard today's world. Over the globe, mankind has been cruelly torn by violence and brutality and, by the millions, deadened in mind and soul by a materialistic philosophy of life. Man everywhere is appalled by the prospect of atomic war. In this somber setting, this law and its effects today have profound meaning. 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 or in war."
Keeping "Under God" in our pledge gives us as Americans the knowledge that our freedom and our source of rights come from a higher power and not just from the power of the government. If we were to change these two words, it would not only change just a pledge, but the entire basis upon where we as Americans are able to find where our rights come from.
I want to touch on the subject for those reading this and thinking, "well it violates the laws of separation of church and state." I would like to tell you that you are wrong. Plain and simply wrong. Every time God's name is mentioned does not mean that it is a breach in the separation of church and state. Barrack Obama stated, "[A] sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation - context matters. It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase 'under God.' I didn't."
In conclusion to my argument, keeping "Under God" in our pledge is vital for our country to continue to stand upon the foundations on which we were created.
