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Sacamuelas · 03-24-2004, 16:20

Al-
After rereading you excellent summary of the issues being brought before the SCOTUS, I was attempting to address concerns I have that relate to the establishment clause in the 1st ammendent.

The 9th Circuit court noted , "A profession that we are a nation 'under God' is identicalâ€¦to a profession that we are a nation 'under Jesus,' a nation 'under Vishnu,' a nation 'under Allah,' or a nation 'under no god,' because none of these professions can be neutral with respect of religion. The coercive effect of this policy is particularly pronounced in the school setting given the age and impressionability of schoolchildren, and their understanding that they are required to adhere to the norms set by their school, their teacher and their fellow students."

In 1954, Congress inserted the phrase "under God" into the Pledge after a lobbying campaign led by the Knights of Columbus. This was during the McCarthy era, and the change was seen as a blow against the "godless communism" in the Soviet Union. Until then Americans used to end the Pledge, "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Americans thought the Pledge was just fine as a patriotic ritual without religious references from 1892-1954. After all, America survived the Great Depression and won two world wars with a secular Pledge, and neither religious devotion nor patriotism suffered. The Pledge was a purely patriotic exercise until Congress in 1954 made it a patriotic and religious exercise.

What is purpose/value of reciting the pledge? If you are like me, it is a patriotic oath that expresses support for our country. If you agree, then why would anyone here have a problem with our public schools using the original version of the pledge? Is there someone here that thinks it is not as patriotic as the currently used version?

03-24-2004, 16:20	#15
Sacamuelas JAWBREAKER Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gulf coast Posts: 1,906	Al- After rereading you excellent summary of the issues being brought before the SCOTUS, I was attempting to address concerns I have that relate to the establishment clause in the 1st ammendent. The 9th Circuit court noted , "A profession that we are a nation 'under God' is identicalâ€¦to a profession that we are a nation 'under Jesus,' a nation 'under Vishnu,' a nation 'under Allah,' or a nation 'under no god,' because none of these professions can be neutral with respect of religion. The coercive effect of this policy is particularly pronounced in the school setting given the age and impressionability of schoolchildren, and their understanding that they are required to adhere to the norms set by their school, their teacher and their fellow students." In 1954, Congress inserted the phrase "under God" into the Pledge after a lobbying campaign led by the Knights of Columbus. This was during the McCarthy era, and the change was seen as a blow against the "godless communism" in the Soviet Union. Until then Americans used to end the Pledge, "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Americans thought the Pledge was just fine as a patriotic ritual without religious references from 1892-1954. After all, America survived the Great Depression and won two world wars with a secular Pledge, and neither religious devotion nor patriotism suffered. The Pledge was a purely patriotic exercise until Congress in 1954 made it a patriotic and religious exercise. What is purpose/value of reciting the pledge? If you are like me, it is a patriotic oath that expresses support for our country. If you agree, then why would anyone here have a problem with our public schools using the original version of the pledge? Is there someone here that thinks it is not as patriotic as the currently used version? Last edited by Sacamuelas; 03-24-2004 at 16:23.
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