Commentary; Posted: 10/19/05
The controversy over the ëPledge of Allegianceí
Rev. John C. Blackford,
Religion Columnist
ìI 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.î Standing and facing the flag, many school children began their classroom day by saluting and reciting this patriotic Pledge of Allegiance. How has this thirty-one word statement sparked a controversy that has reached the Supreme Court?
Public school children first recited the Pledge when they saluted the flag during the National Public Schools Celebration, held in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. The original pledge was most likely written by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) of Boston. The National Flag Conferences of the American Legion expanded it in 1923 and 1924. In 1942, Congress made the Pledge part of its code for the use of the flag, and in 1954 added the words ìunder God.î (See World Book, Vol. 15, page 572.)
Although the words, ìto the flag,î have caused some objections to the Pledge (on the basis of supposed idolatry,) it is the statement, ìunder God,î which produced the most opposition.
Almost ten years after World War II, during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the controversial words were added, in recognition that the enemies of freedom had been providentially defeated.
There was the realization our founders understood that government does not give us our freedom. Our freedom ultimately comes from God, and our government was established to secure that God-given freedom. The Declaration of Independence declares, ìWe hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ó that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.î
With the growth and influence of adherents of the separation of church and state, coupled with the protests of those who profess not to believe in God, efforts have been made to delete the reference to God in the Pledge.
Last month in San Francisco, a federal judge ruled that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and banned it. He cited by a 2002 ruling it which the 9th U.S. Court of Circuit Appeals in that city decided in favor of Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow that the Pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools. Last year, Newdow brought his objections before the Supreme Court, which rejected them on procedural grounds. Because nothing was decided, the issue will come before the Court again, when a ruling will probably be made.
On the matter of separation of church and state, it can be pointed out that the words, ìunder God,î are a general statement and do not imply sectarianism. Those who are atheists can be reminded that they have the right to omit the controversial words, or remain silent during the recitation of the Pledge.
A great majority of Americans, believing in the providential guidance of the Almighty in the nationís founding and development, have indicated in polls they want ìunder Godî retained in the Pledge of Allegiance, and that to drop the words would be to deny our heritage. Their hope and prayer is that the Supreme Court will uphold the congressional vote of fifty years ago, and keep the Pledge in its present form.
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