The Pledge of Allegiance (tradition, doctrine, atheist, pagan, Abraham)

[YamiB.]

I'm sure a topic has already been done on this. But I haven't seen one specificly for it recently.

Do you think that having Under God in the pledge violates the first ammendment of the US Consitution? Do you think it should be taken out?

[c0da]

Tricky one. I don't think it violates the first ammendment. I can see why people would feel uncomfortable or not particularly commited when reciting the "under god" bit of the pledge, but I certainly wouldn't say it is a violation of the first ammendment.

[SPLogan]

Originally Posted by YamiB.

Do you think that having Under God in the pledge violates the first ammendment of the US Consitution? Do you think it should be taken out?

"Under God" does not discriminate against any particular religion (except for maybe Atheism, but most Atheists do not even consider Atheism a religion).

"Under God" basically stands in opposition to "under human tyranny." In the United States, we pledge that we are one nation that is not under human tyranny. We are rather "under God." In my opinion, that is merely a theistic stance and does not carry any real government imposed religious doctrine. It just means that authority does not finally rest in mere human opinion.

[YamiB.]

Originally Posted by SPLogan

"Under God" does not discriminate against any particular religion (except for maybe Atheism, but most Atheists do not even consider Atheism a religion).

"Under God" basically stands in opposition to "under human tyranny." In the United States, we pledge that we are one nation that is not under human tyranny. We are rather "under God." In my opinion, that is merely a theistic stance and does not carry any real government imposed religious doctrine. It just means that authority does not finally rest in mere human opinion.

I think it is a clear referal to the Abrahamic religions as they are really the religions that use God. Not to mention the fact that it was pushed in by the Knights of Columbus.

It is excluding Buddhists, Hindus, Shintos (?), Jains, and various Pagan religions.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by YamiB.

I'm sure a topic has already been done on this. But I haven't seen one specificly for it recently.

Do you think that having Under God in the pledge violates the first ammendment of the US Consitution? Do you think it should be taken out?

I'm a traditionalist.

I say we keep the pledge the way our Founding Fathers gave it to us.

[YamiB.]

Originally Posted by Booko

I'm a traditionalist.

I say we keep the pledge the way our Founding Fathers gave it to us.

I'm sure glad that smilie was there. XD

[PetShopBoy88]

Originally Posted by YamiB.

I'm sure a topic has already been done on this. But I haven't seen one specificly for it recently.

Do you think that having Under God in the pledge violates the first ammendment of the US Consitution? Do you think it should be taken out?

Only if somebody is forced to say it, or not allowed to put in their own word or phrase instead of that.

Originally Posted by Booko

I'm a traditionalist.

I say we keep the pledge the way our Founding Fathers gave it to us.

[YamiB.]

Originally Posted by PetShopBoy88

Only if somebody is forced to say it, or not allowed to put in their own word or phrase instead of that.

Why should it be that the offical version has this non-inclusive phrase. Shouldn't it be that if somebody really wants to have Under God in there they can just add it?

[PetShopBoy88]

Originally Posted by YamiB.

Why should it be that the offical version has this non-inclusive phrase. Shouldn't it be that if somebody really wants to have Under God in there they can just add it?

Sure, why not? Last time I looked, however, the Pledge of Allegiance was essentially just "tradition". It's not like it's an "official" document of the United States Government or something.

[YamiB.]

Originally Posted by PetShopBoy88

Sure, why not? Last time I looked, however, the Pledge of Allegiance was essentially just "tradition". It's not like it's an "official" document of the United States Government or something.

Well it does have some government involvement as it was Congress that added the Under God part in the 50s.