Ahmed 1

Jabrail Ahmed

Laurie Oberg

English 11

22 February 2016

Under God in the United States Pledge

The Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy who was a Baptist

Minister. In the United States the Pledge of Allegiance is said throughout the country and at

multiple times of the day. When the pledge was created it was recited by children to show

patriotism. In many situations this has been discussed and caused many arguments. Many people

agree it should be taken out but for me it should stay in The Pledge of Allegiance. It should stay

because it shows patriotism and doesnt exclude anyone by not discriminating against any group

of people and since no person is forced to say it. The reason why Under God should be cut out

of the Pledge of Allegiance is because it shows Religious Endorsement.

In 1954 Congress added the phrase Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was added

to show that the United States is a nation Under God and to separate itself from the communist

regime. It belongs because of our national religious heritage. Attorney General Gonzalez said,

For more than two hundred years, many of our expressions of national identity and patriotism

have referenced god (Attorney General Gonzalez). God has been mentioned many times before

being mentioned in the Pledge of Allegiance and represents an important part of American

history. The Pledge of Allegiance stands for a symbol of patriotism instead of religious prayer. In

an article written by SFGate.com Appeals Court says Under God not a prayer The article

says, The federal court that touched off a furor in 2002 by declaring the words under God in

the Pledge of Allegiance to be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion took another look at

 Ahmed 2

the issue Thursday and said the phrase invokes patriotism, not religious faith. This saying that

the federal court believes that under God in the Pledge of Allegiance belongs because of its

patriotic influence in the nation under God.

The Pledge of Allegiance can also be viewed in a way that would promote the way of religious

beliefs. In many ways people against under God in the Pledge of Allegiance will proclaim that

the words will promote religious faith. In an article written by OldTimeIslands.org the Pledge of

Allegiance a Short History says, The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

The Pledge of Allegiance has been change many times. In the very beginning it didnt have the

words under God and now that it does it seems like the government wants to shove religion

down the throats of the people. The Pledge changes are also said in this article saying, Some

prolife advocates recite the following slightly revised Pledge: 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, born and unborn. A few liberals recite a slightly

revised version of Bellamys original Pledge: I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the

Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all..

There are noticeable changes to the Pledge of Allegiance of how the revised versions are

centered on the idea that everything has something to do with the U.S. and how it is a nation

under God. Referencing the quote earlier in this paragraph the Pledge of Allegiance has become

centered on the U.S. and how patriotism is shown by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Since the

U.S. is a nation under God by saying the pledge it becomes a public prayer.

The Pledge of Allegiance also doesnt exclude or discriminate against any kind of group.

In the pledge there is no discriminatory classification of a person based on their sex, race, color,

or national origin and etc. People are free to choose whether to recite the pledge or any part of it
 Ahmed 3

as well as to even obtain from reciting it at all. Students who obtain from reciting the pledge

entirely do not have to justify not reciting it. In an article written by the Washington Post it says,

Here there is no discriminatory classification for purposes of art. 106 no differing treatment

of any class or classes of students based on their sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. All

students are treated alike. Students are going to be treated the same and every class will be

treated the same there is no discrimination of any kind in the Pledge of Allegiance.

In conclusion the Pledge of Allegiance has factors of positives and negativities which

everything does. The reasons why Under God should be cut out of the Pledge of Allegiance is

different for every person. It should stay for others because of their personal beliefs. In many

situations the pledge has been discussed and caused many arguments. When the pledge was

created it was made to be recited by children to show patriotism.

Work Cited:

Volokh, Eugene. "Under God in Pledge of Allegiance Is Constitutional, Says Massachusettss

Highest Court." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 09 May 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.

"The Words "Under GOD" Should Remain in Our Pledge of Allegiance!" ProCon. 02 Feb. 2016.

Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

Baer, John W. "The Pledge of Allegiance A Short History." The Pledge of Allegiance. 15 Oct.

2012. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.