There is a move among some atheist organizations right now to encourage people to refuse to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I support this move, and I haven't said the pledge in many years now. Why? Does it mean I'm not patriotic? Of course not. Patriotism doesn't depend on reciting a few words.
I cannot bring myself to recite the pledge because of the phrase "one nation under god". For me, that would mean I pledge my support for the United States being a religious (and probably christian) nation -- and I cannot do that. This nation was founded as a secular nation and that's what it should remain -- because only a secular nation can guarantee religious freedom (which includes the freedom to not be religious).
The pledge has not always contained the offensive god phrase. It was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy. Bellamy was both a Baptist minister and a socialist, but saw no need to include either politics or religion in the pledge. The pledge as he wrote it could be recited by any American -- regardless of their politics or religious views. It was not until 1954 (more than 60 years later) that the god phrase was inserted into the pledge -- turning it into something that millions of attests in America could no longer pledge.
The saddest thing about the current movement to not say the pledge is that many students are being punished by their teachers for refusing to stand and recite the pledge. That is ridiculous -- and it is unconstitutional. No student (or adult) in this country should be punished for exercising their right not to participate in what they consider a religious ritual -- especially in a public (government) school.
I know these teachers (and other christians) don't understand how offensive the word god can be to some people. But they need to ask themselves a question. Could they in good conscience recite the pledge if it contained the phrase "under allah" or "under satan"? I doubt it. I think they would find that far too offensive. They need to understand that the phrase "under god" is just as offensive to many atheists.
Why can't we just go back to the original pledge -- a pledge that anyone can recite without going against their conscience?
it was a very bad year in 1954, that wall called the constitution, standing between the church and state began to get chipped away at. protection for all has suffered in the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteWhy bother with a pledge at all? A sign of national insecurity, in my opinion. And the sight of politicians chanting it with their hands over their hearts when we all know they don't actually possess hearts is simply too, too, ironic!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! DAVID!!!! A miracle has occurred!!!! I'm agreeing with you!!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I too agree with Mr. Duff. Surely the cosmos has aligned and the Age of Aquarius has now turned retrograde.
ReplyDeleteCrikey, don't tell any of my friends, they'll never let me back in the Prehistoric Antediluvian Conservative Club again!
ReplyDeleteWe won't rat you out David. After all, it could endanger our membership in the PBHTHA (Pinko Bleeding-Heart Tree-Huggers of America).
ReplyDeleteI say “under Canada.”
ReplyDelete