Without going into detail about my position about the presence of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, let me just express my disapproval of people who talk about how the ACLU is trying to take the words out. They are trying to take them BACK out. I absolutely respect each side’s right to argue their position, but for the love of all that is purple, please don’t let your argument be weakened by your impotent grasp of the history of the topic.
I think a short history lesson is in order.
Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and a Socialist, wrote the original version of the Pledge in 1892. Later that year, at a school event that he orchestrated, his Pledge was recited.
Here is his Pledge: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
It went through many changes throughout the years, and each was met with opposition from some. Some take issue with the word “indivisible,” as the United States was nearly divided, and the right for individual states to break away from the Union is still held, according to some. The word “equality” was almost added in the original version along with “liberty and justice,” but it many people were opposed to equality for women and blacks. Anti-abortion activists would like it to read “… and justice for all, born and unborn.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower added in the words “under God” on June 14, 1954 because of anti-Communist sentiment at the time.
So there it is. Believe what you may, but please don’t make the Pledge out to be some unchangeable ancient manifesto. It is, and continues to be a reflection of the evolving points of view of the nation.
(both atheists) will join me in telling Mr. Newdow “Get over yourself, you hateful little man.” Heck, I happen to think he had a point when he sought to remove “under God” from the pledge, as the words were themselves alater addition. But now I think it’s fairly clear that Michael Newdow is simply against any public display of religiousity. To paraphrase Leslie Gore, “It’s Bush’s party, and he’ll pray if he wants to!”