For many Americans, the Pledge of Allegiance is remembered for being words of national pride but for others, people just don't care. There's been a great deal of debating over the words "under God" when in fact the Church and State are meant to be separate entities but are united by these two words. I wanted to take a closer look this month at the Pledge of Allegiance. People are most touchy when it comes to the subject of religion especially how that faith is expressed in the public eye. The United States was founded on Christianity. Yes, this is a Christian nation.
Children are trained to speak these words at an early age. Every American can recite it even years after they last spoke the pledge. It was written in 1892 by a Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy, however, it wasn't as we recite it in these modern days. Here's the original version...
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and
to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation indivisible, with Liberty
and Justice for all."
The pledge was recited with the Bellamy Salute, with a first over the heart and then extending the arm out in almost a "Heil Hitler" fashion. During WWII this was abolished for obvious reasons and simplified to having your hand over your heart. Now something just occurred to me. The original salute was a clenched fist over the heart. This indicates pride and defense for our country. Now we use an open hand. This indicates peace.
The words "under God" was added on Flag Day in 1954. Back then God and Country had meaning. By the turn of the millennium the idea of God had taken a new direction as beliefs continue to change and old beliefs became a thing of the past with new information becoming public about Church politics. The religion of Christianity doesn't have the power it once did fifty years ago. Next month we'll take a look at how the Pledge of Allegiance has impacted schools and the controversy it brings.