The Original Pledge Of Allegiance Didn't Mention God | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

The Original Pledge Of Allegiance Didn't Mention God For More Than Half A Century

The contention that the Pledge of Allegiance should include the phrase "under God" because "that's how it's always been" is actually completely invalid and false. That is NOT the original pledge.

2197
The Original Pledge Of Allegiance Didn't Mention God For More Than Half A Century

I've recently seen a lot of controversy surrounding our Pledge of Allegiance.

This controversy is due to the phrase "under God" in our pledge as said by millions in schools all throughout the country — some believing the phrase should be taken out to eliminate religion from a national allegiance, while others under the impression it should remain because that's how "it's always been said."

Unfortunately, I see the latter opinion mostly from the conservative right. I don't want to blame them for this perspective, however. I try to always keep an open mind and respect all opinions — Democrat or Republican.

Nevertheless, I have to politely disagree with those that argue "under God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I understand people with this perspective don't have bad intentions, but these opinions are rooted in biases from their childhoods. They can't accept change. Because that's how THEY grew up and that's all they've ever known, they refuse to accept anything different. The fact of the matter is, though, they're riddled with ignorance. They're uneducated. And here's why.

The contention that the Pledge of Allegiance should include the phrase "under God" because "that's how it's always been" is actually completely invalid and false.

That is NOT the original pledge.

All this takes is some simple research and reading to understand this. The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by socialist minister Francis Bellamy. The original form read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1923, it was then changed:

"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."

Then, it wasn't until 1954 when the phrase "under God" was added to the 31-word pledge we say today when president Eisenhower responded to Communist threats at that time.

In addition, Thomas Jefferson paraphrased the term "separation of church and state" during the making of the Constitution to which he stated that legislature "should make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." Ultimately, if we are pledging allegiance to the "liberty and justice" for this country, those words should be reflective for all people.

There should be no reflection of religion in anything that has to do with our government or patriotic pride.

I feel like the separation between church and state is becoming especially prominent anymore. Between the pledge, these insane abortion laws, and virtually all the opinions of Republican Senators, we can't seem to come to an understanding of why we need to eradicate religion from politics.

If we're going to cite this pledge as a united nation, the reality is not everyone believes in the same God you do, not everyone has the same Christian beliefs as you do, and not everyone wants to pledge to God as you do.

The pledge should apply to all people in this country.

It should not be a matter of, "Well, if you don't like it, just don't say it!" No, it should be able to be said by everyone, truthfully and wholeheartedly.

Please do your research before you form an opinion that's fueled by utter ignorance and misinformation. Keep an open mind, and learn to educate yourself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

5910
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments