Post by karembi38 on Nov 16, 2011 19:27:48 GMT -5
One Nation Above God
Every morning, schools across the country stand together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Originally written by Francis Bellamy, the pledge was amended by Congress in 1954, including the words “under God,” in order to, “distinguish American patriotism from “godless Communism”’ (Gage). It was this addition, which spoke sacred words to a secular symbol, that led to controversy. Prior to its revision, the mandatory recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the case of West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, claiming violation of the First Amendment. Despite the Court’s attempts at maintaining a secular nation, Americans who choose not to participate in the voluntary Pledge of Allegiance are still criticized by those fighting to uphold religious practices of patriotism.
The phrase “under God,” could be seen as offensive on many different levels, as it implies a single, male God, excluding polytheistic religions, and those that worship a female Goddess. Furthermore, it disregards those who pray to Allah, and those who practice atheistic religions, believing in the existence of no God at all. While some abstain from the Pledge for non-religious reasons, it is the inclusion of “under God,” that has caused others to remain seated. Students across the country who choose not to participate in the Pledge, exercising their first amendment rights, face many challenges. Though their decision to not take part in the Pledge is supported by the Supreme Court, they often receive opposition from their peers and teachers. In January, 2010, a 13 year-old girl from Germantown, Maryland, upon refusing to stand for the Pledge, was victimized by her classmates as they mocked her, “calling her names and calling her stupid,” after their teacher had begun to yell at her (Morehouse). When she refrained from the pledge a second time the following day, the student was removed from class by a security guard. The student, having the constitutional right to not partake in the pledge, was nevertheless berated by her peers and school officials, who felt it necessary that all students recite the sacred pledge.
For the most part, a multitude of American citizens have continued objecting to the nonreligious citizens’ rights to not participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Although the Pledge consists mainly of unifying and inspirational phrases, the juxtaposition of a sacred oath to the secular symbol of the flag has produced a more controversial than patriotic effect. After the addition of “under God,” there have been court cases from coast to coast regarding the Pledge, in states such as California, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. Since the founding of the United States, all Americans have had the right to freedom of both religion and speech, however, it seems as though many forget these rights when it comes to the issue of religious practices, abandoning the idea of a secular nation. Ultimately, it has been the addition of “under God,” which has prevented the promise of the phrase which follows in the Pledge, portraying the nation as, “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
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Sources:
www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/books/review/Gage-t.html
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/640415/West-Virginia-State-Board-of-Education-v-Barnette
www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=97561&provider=top