Pledge of Allegiance in schools - is it Unconstitutional?

The history of the Pledge of Allegiance suggests that "under God", and its late insertion into the Pledge, had more to do with Communism than religion. For some comments and a pointer to an informative non-commercial website, go here.

For what it's worth, I'm no fan of the pledge, period. America is about the only nation left on Earth with such an oppressively in your face flag culture. The last one in Europe was promoted by this scrawny little guy with a hard stare and a Charlie Chaplin mustache, named Adolph. He pretty much cured Europe of flags. Not to mention a good-sized chunk of its people.

Nancy J
Sure, and let's get rid of the Constitution itself, and the Bill of Rights, and The Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address and all of our money, and the Supreme Court Building in D.C. and a thousand others like it, and everything else in this country with a reference to God on it.

Then the Pagans can take over, God will come back for His own, and the world will burn. Let's just get it over with.

let's get rid of the Constitution itself, and the Bill of Rights

Before you do that, you might want to read up a bit on the authors of these documents. Although all believed in God, most did not believe in a particular faith (Thomas Jefferson's view of Calvinism, from which most modern American Protestantism sprang, is priceless). And they worked very hard to keep direct mention of God out of official documents. They would have been appalled at the appearance of "under God" in the Pledge - and might have been appalled at the idea of a Pledge at all, though they did have the Alien and Sedition Act on their consciences (see Patriot Act).

among what could arguably be called one of the most unreligious, nongodly societal cross sections--addicts and alcoholics--their most noted recovery program (AA/12 step) uses the concept of God as a "higher power as you understand it." In other words, it could be a group of people, your own willpower, or a doorknob just as easily as the traditional God of any of hundreds of religions out there. "God" in the constitution could be construed as nothing more than the union of a nation determined to enjoy specific freedoms.

The fact that we have declared our own national pledge "evil and unconstitutional" over a SINGLE word which is nothing more than a wild card (insert your own perception here) makes us a nation of fools. No wonder the rest of the world laughs at us at best, or proclaims us the devil.

Janell
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To be honest, Im very wishy washy on this. What our friendly neighborhood blogging leader said is true and they likely would not have enjoyed God in there, though I think enough of the monarchy mentality existed that they may have been okay with the pledge, but who knows.

It's a weird little tradition, I guess, but I dont really think it hurts or helps anyone to say it that much. Forcing kids to say it in schools is odd, but honestly none of the schools I work in right now do that so I guess its not really an issue with me.

The only thing I will say is that the statement about no wonder other countries laugh at us doesnt bother me at all ever. Call it arrogance if you like, but I could care less if Russia, England, France, or whoever "laughs at" my country. I laugh at stuff they do and Im pretty sure they dont care. Anyway, I am just never a fan of that defense/statement, and thats not an attack on you, lisalogan, because many say it and it does bother some people. Just not me, not at all.

Later

1) I am appalled, but not surprised, that a Senator does not know the text of the Constitution. So, in case there is any confusion, the Constitution spells out exactly what should be said, and nothing about God is included. It is included because of tradition and personal beliefs. So the courts cannot strip it from the Oath of Office, because officially, it does not exist.

"Clause 8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--'I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.'"

2) Cut it any way you want, but as long as people are divided by the phrase, we will not be one nation under anything. Someone wants it there, someone else does not... It does not sound like one nation, or indivisible. So then the argument becomes which group we cater to. Do we remove it or leave it? By leaving it, there is a group who constantly feels put upon to swear an oath which they do not intend to uphold. In other words, it's phony. But if it is removed, the group who feels it should be there intend it anyway, much as Georgie must have felt taking that first oath. In other words, they are including it anyway, if only in their mind.

3) The words "under God" were most certainly intended to be religious in nature, specifically Judeo-Christian. A) God is spelled with a capital G. This may not seem to be a big deal, but when you are speaking about any random god lying around, it is spelled with a lowercase g. B) Eisenhower, when signing the bill into law, he referred specifically to "the Almighty". Maybe it's just my experiences, but many of my Buddhist, Muslim, or Pagan friends have never referred to the Almighty. C) If you think that the pledge refers to a power greater than us, try substituting the phrase "under Allah" or "under Kali". Just don't do it in front of rednecks. (I'm actually liking this idea. I can't think of any god more appropriate to govern America than Loki.) D) "Under God" is listed in the singular form. Not only does this leave out those who are agnostic or atheist, it excludes those who are polytheistic as well. E) The Knights of Columbus were behind the push to get these words added. The requirements for membership into the Knights of Columbus are that you have to be a male Catholic over 18. Don't make me spell out this one.