Hi Schrafinator,
schraf writes:
The Founding Fathers are currently spinning in their graves over the "under god" bit in the pledge, and even that we have a pledge oa allegance at all.
Just to give some hisorical background:
1. Pledge written in 1892 by the American socialist Francis Bellamy:
Bellamy, 1892, writes:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
2. Pledge rewritten in 1924 by the "National Flag Conference":
National Flag Conference, 1924, writes:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
3. Pledge rewritten in 1954 by Congress, following a bill by Republican Senator Homer Ferguson:
Homer Ferguson, 1954, writes:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I got the information from
religioustolerance.org
They give an interesting quote from Eisenhower:
Eisenhower writes:
From this day forward, the millions of our schoolchildren will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.
That looks like a pretty clear violation of the separation of church and state to me. So you seem to be correct.
Mick
added in edit: I changed the subtitle. I also wanted to point out that there was some debate in the UK recently about introducing a national pledge. But it wouldn't have to be recited every day by schoolchildren, only by new immigrants, and wouldn't mention God. Even that provoked outrage. In the UK we don't have that kind of patriotism rammed down our throats all the time and there seems a popular dislike of it. But on the other hand, we are still legally considered "subjects of the crown" rather than "citizens", so we have our own constitutional anachronisms too...
This message has been edited by mick, 11-12-2005 08:06 PM
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