Should students recite the pledge of allegiance?

Essay by MMetallicraftCollege, UndergraduateA, January 2011

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Paul Shevchuk Government essay

107 September 27, 2010

For years and countless generations students were asked to stand up in class and recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily. However there has been much controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance for the addition of "under god" in the pledge. As you may have noticed not everyone recites it, you yourself may not even do so. Some believe it should be enforced so that everyone says the pledge in order to show respect and patriotism to his country. Others feel it isn't necessary and goes against what they may believe in and their constitutional rights and they should not be forced.

Most people that believe that the pledge should be recited would believe that the Pledge is an act of loyalty and patriotism, honoring the country in which one lives in. However there are divisions between these people as well. While some believe that the pledge is purely honoring your country and that religion should not play a role in it whatsoever, others in the group believe that because the majority of the United States is in face religious that there is nothing wrong with the words "under god".

According to the American Center for Law and Justice, "Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is fully consistent with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The words of the Pledge echo the conviction held by the Founders of this Nation that our freedoms come from God. Congress inserted the phrase 'One Nation Under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance for the express purpose of reaffirming America's unique understanding of this truth, and to distinguish America from atheistic nations who recognize no higher authority than the State" (http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_%22Under_God%22_in_the_American_Pledge_of_Allegiance). This is clearly...