Kraljevic
Hannah Kraljevic
Mrs. Braun
British Literature
10 February 2014
Patriotism vs. Prayer
The Pledge of Allegiance was initially written for school children to recite daily as an act of patriotism. But ever since 1954, when two simple yet powerful words were added, the country has been in constant debate over whether it is still patriotic and appropriate for our school children to recite. Some believe it represents the values our country was founded on. However, the phrase "under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance because it conflicts with the separation between Church and State, it also contradicts with the country's founding principles on religious freedom, and it opens the door for religious persecution.
In 1892 Francis Bellamy published the first Pledge of Allegiance, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the republic for which it stands one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
(Kozleski 24-30). They made minor changes to the Pledge of Allegiance three more times before, "Flag Day in 1954⦠[when] the Knights of Colombus- supported by President Eisenhower-started campaigning to add words 'under God' [to the Pledge of Allegiance]. The change was made during the Cold War when Americans feared communists" (Kozleski 24-30).
The first amendment in the constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"(Amendment I). This amendment provided the country with the idea of separation of Church and State.
There is no actual law on the separation of church and state; however there are laws in the public schools about religion. One of these laws states that no...