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I pledge allegiance to the flag....
Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the United States of America and the principles on which this great nation was founded. This morning as I proudly hung Old Glory, I reflected on the nature of the flag and on the recent hubbub about the Pledge of Allegiance.
Some quick history before I take the pulpit. The Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. This original version did not contain the phrase "under God" even though it was written by a minister. Those words were added by Congress in 1954, fueled by anti-communist leanings and a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization. Last month, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion ruling that the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is counter to the establishment clause in the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Since then much has been written about the ruling, both pro and con, and a great many Americans have made a point to recite the pledge emphasizing "Under God!" I'd really like to see someone recite it emphasizing "Liberty and Justice for All!" Isn't that what's really important about our country, the guiding principle on which it was founded?
I'm all in favor of people holding firm religious beliefs, but I do get concerned when they attempt to compel others to follow the same beliefs. Isn't this what we deplore about fundamentalist religious regimes in other parts of the world? Have we learned nothing from the religious conflicts in the Middle East? How would Christians feel if they were compelled to recite a pledge stating that ours was "One nation, under Allah?"
People should be free to worship or not worship as they choose. Thomas Jefferson had much to say about freedom of religion, and our current lawmakers would do well to mind his words.
Furthermore, many school systems mandate the recitation of the Pledge at the beginning of the school day, and a number of states either require it by law or are considering such legislation. It seems to me that it's a clear breach of the establishment clause of the first amendment, but obviously there's some disagreement on the point.
(Even without the inclusion of "Under God" in the pledge, do we really think that patriotism comes from mandated recitation of an oath? But that's another rant.)
Wouldn't it be the height of patriotism to uphold the ideals of the first amendment in spite of personal religious beliefs? Would it really be so terrible to leave out "Under God" out of respect for our religious freedoms? Now that would be liberty and justice for all.
:: Keith 15:44 [link] :: ::