Does "under God" belong in the pledge of allegiance?

[Félix]

Boing.

[TxLadyForever]

Michelle wrote: "
I believe that putting God in the pledge has blessed our country. Until recently our country as a whole projected a faith based society. "

changing the words of the pledge would be akind to changing the words to a famous poem or song or book. Change is not always for the better!

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Of course, "under God" is not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance, so we have already changed the words to it. The rhythm is off because of it.

If we wanted to respect the intent of the originators, we should remove the addition.

[Sally, la reina]

I nominate Jackie for president.

[Félix]

Second!

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Thanks, guys, that's sweet, but I'm pretty happy with the one we've got at the moment.
You can keep me in reserve for the future... :)

[Félix]

How about being governor of Alaska?

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Heh, I don't think the Alaskans would want me, Larry.

[Félix]

Their loss.

[Sally, la reina]

I nominate Jackie for president of coolness, guys. Not the country.

[Félix]

Oh, well sure. Goes without saying.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

:::blushes, feels extra dorky:::

[Donitello]

Jackie "the Librarian" wrote: "Of course, "under God" is not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance, so we have already changed the words to it."

Fascinating -- I didn't know that. It's true, the rhythm IS off with that phrase! Okay, any quick links you could provide on the origins of the Pledge, (because I'm lazy)?

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Here you go, Doni:

The Strange Origin of the Pledge of Allegiance

http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cur10.htm

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

No, under God does not belong in the pledge, and the pledge does not belong in schools. Save it for the military. What @19 said.

[Dennis]

I'm okay with it. I hope the pledge stays the way it is currently written.

[Scout]

America is composed of people from all cultures and religions, but this country was founded on a belief in God and on certain moral principles. No one should have to recite a pledge he or she doesn't believe in, but the moral principles should stand as the foundation of our identity as a nation. I think our foundation is crumbling, and I think that those who hate us are happy about that. They have unified and unwavering religious beliefs, and that makes them strong.

[Jim]

I have no problem with the pledge the way it is now either, as long as it isn't mandatory for all to have to recite it.

[Phil]

...this country was founded on a belief in God...

No. Try again.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

When we declared our independence, we invoked God. We said God was something in Nature, or ruled over Nature ("Nature's God") and that our "Creator" had given us our rights. We said that it was God who entitled us to be free, and to declare ourselves independent from another nation or state. When we established the founding legal document of our nation (the Constitution), we included the idea of religious freedom.

[Phil]

Completely different from saying the country was "founded on a belief in God."

Also, when the "rules" were established, mention of ANY deity was DELIBERATELY avoided. The rule of law is entirely secular, no matter how much religionists wish it weren't.

[Scout]

Completely different in what way?

[Phil]

Scout, using you as an example....

You have certain religious beliefs yet, if you chose to, you could easily create a set of rules that, while informed by those beliefs, did not incorporate them or their associated deity.

Secular laws can easily be created even by the most religious among us. And secular laws are exactly what we, as a country, are governed by.

[Scout]

I was asking how Lg's statement was completely different from my saying that our country was founded on a belief in God. Go back and read the posts.