...young age with the premise of inspiring patriotic feeling and held in high esteem due to it’s historical significance, the Pledge of Allegiance is surrounded by controversy. The Pledge of Allegiance should not be enforced in schools due to it being a clear violation of the First and Fourth Amendments, its conflict with other people’s beliefs, and it’s blatantly false promise of equality. We live in a world where expression and freedom of thought is, thankfully, somewhat allowed and even encouraged. Why then should we, as a free country, be forced to say a Pledge that most haven’t even bothered to analyze? Can we truly believe that the children currently attending elementary school understand what they say when they repeat after their teacher? Is their level of comprehension high enough to be able to feel and understand what loyalty to one’s country is? Certainly not, and it doesn’t stop there. While it is understandable why our country enforces the Pledge early on, it is not understandable why it is continued into high school and even into college. If a child attending high school makes the conscious decision not to stand up for the Pledge, then he should be allowed to do so and exercise his rights. We live in a world where a teacher reprimanded her student for being “un-American” and “un-patriotic” because he did not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Jacksonville News, Sports and Entertainment) A Judge ruled the case unconstitutional and stated that it was a violation of...
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...The Pledge of Allegiance Shantae Lovelace Strayer University SOC 205 Society, Law And Government Professor Gregory Smith March15, 2015 Each day elementary school teachers in the Elk Grove Unified School District lead their classes in a group recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Respondent, Michael Newdow, is an atheist whose daughter participates in that daily exercise. Because the Pledge contains the words "under God," he views the School District's policy as a religious indoctrination of his child that violates the First Amendment. A divided panel of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed with Newdow. In light of the obvious importance of that decision, we granted certiorari to review the First Amendment issue and, preliminarily, the question whether Newdow has standing to invoke the jurisdiction of the federal courts. We conclude that Newdow lacks standing and therefore reverse the Court of Appeals' decision (Findlaw, n.d.). Summary of Court Case Petitioner school district requires each elementary school class to recite daily the Pledge of Allegiance. Respondent Newdow's daughter participates in this exercise. Newdow, an atheist, filed suit alleging that, because the Pledge contains the words "under God," it constitutes religious indoctrination of his child in violation of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. He also alleged that he had standing to sue on his own behalf and on behalf of his daughter as...
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...not stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance? Every morning, Monday through Friday, students all across America stand, face the American flag, and say the 31 words that make up the Pledge of Allegiance. We pledge towards the symbol of America because of the freedom it has granted us and for all the people who fight for our country’s freedom. However, lately there has been a controversy over many elements of the pledge- should we continue to say it in schools? What about sporting events? Should “under God” be removed or should it stay? The Pledge of Allegiance should not be required to say at schools and sporting events because it violates the basic human rights like freedom of speech and freedom of religion....
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...of the United States. Schools across the nation have placed the American flag in their classrooms where children can view this symbol of their nation. A pledge of allegiance to this symbol became part of the flag code in 1942 (Source A). This implication involved students pledging their allegiance to their flag and nation with their right hand over their heart. Yet, today, the Pledge of Allegiance has become a controversial topic in schools across America. Now the question is debated over frequently, should the Pledge of Allegiance be allowed in schools? The Pledge of Allegiance has a core message of liberty and pride in our nation and, although it has reference to religion, its...
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...The Pledge of Allegiance was officially written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy, the pledge was then edited in 1923, but it was only thirty-one years later in 1954 that the words “under God” where added by Congress. Ever since this day there has been many controversial issues dealing with the addition on the words “under God” to the pledge of the United States of America because many believe it limits us to only one religion, and its against the whole ordeal of the Constitution. So the question still remains should the claim “under God” be eliminated from the pledge of Allegiance? My answer to that is yes, because why would I let my self or anyone for that matter be limited to only one religion in a Nation that practices...
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...The pledge of allegiance is only 41 words that stands for freedom, yet has become a national battle. The disrespect that has been demonstrated lately, says it represents oppression. How can that be? The pledge states “with liberty and justice for all”. The pledge of allegiance was written for the 400th anniversary in 1892. It was formally adopted by congress as the pledge in 1942. The name became official in 1945. There have been many changes to the pledge in a way it is phrased. Undergod was entered in 1954. We also don’t salute the flag anymore. Now that was controversial. It appeared to be a nazi movement. Why do we say the pledge? In school it is mandated that pledge be done. It has nothing to do with christianity or any other religion.Every...
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...Francis Bellamy produced The Pledge of Allegiance In the year of August 1892 and President Eisenhower, got Congress to add the phrase under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. However, in 1954, in acknowledgment of the Communist warning of the events, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words under God, forming the 31-word pledge (Pintér, 2006). Still, are numerous of people who are against flag for they don't believe in the words God and are confused about the meaning of the flag and heritage of 13 colonies. However, to have a good understanding it patriotic stand for the flag and soldier who died to protect this Great country. Therefore, the behavior of lawsuits against the pledge allegiance by Michael Newdow because his daughter was reciting pledge allegiance with the reference under California law. However, Elk Grove educators start school daily with leading students in a voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, including the reciting the of...
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..."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." Since 1954, Americans have been referring to this version of The Pledge of Allegiance. However, seems like Americans just say it to say it. No one really knows what one nation under God means. Definition of indivisible? Liberty? Justice for ALL? Yeah, didn’t think so. Americans, high maintenance, bandwagon robots. Yes, robots. Programmed and controlled. We do what society and social media tell us to. Don’t expect anything else. Someone on twitter tells us to jump, we ask how high? Want to hear something funny? We all know we do it. Does anyone watch the super bowl?...
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...Case Study 2: I Pledge the Allegiance to the Flag Latarsha S. Dowdell Society, Law, and Government – SOC 205 Dr. Clinton D. Gortney March 9, 2014 America. The land of the free home of the brave. These are the words that are cited when we sing the Star Spangled Banner. This is our song dedicated to our country. The Pledge of Allegiance was cited every morning before school started when I attended. It was our way of giving thanks to those that have fought and died for our freedom. Unfortunately, somewhere down the line, citing the Pledge of Allegiance became a political and religious issue. In this paper, I will summarize the points of the Supreme Court case Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow. I will also discuss the levels of the court through which the case evolved before it reached the Supreme Court. Next, I will briefly explain the decision of the Supreme Court and explain the fundamental impact that the court decision in question has had on American society in general and on ethics in American society in particular. Then, I will discuss whether I believe that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is a religious issue or a sign of respect for the United States. Finally, I will discuss whether or not I think public schools should be allowed to recite the pledge. In schools, children need to understand the importance of freedom and what it means to be patriotic in America. In doing so, every morning teachers lead their...
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...Why the words 'under God' should be in the Pledge of Allegiance The words 'under God' were in the Pledge of Allegiance since 1954. They added those words to show the contrast between the United States of America and the communist regime. They also show how we are a true nation under God. Having a nation under God is very important because we get are freedom from God, not the government or anyone else. Everything we got from this country came from God. We ask him for help when in need or if we need guidance. He will protect this country and the words 'under God' need to be kept in America’s Pledge of Allegiance. Christian people have a huge say in if 'under God' should be kept in the pledge. The United States was brought by the Christian background. Our nation was developed and established that way. Christians made up most of are country and fought for it under Gods name. Every constitution of the fifty states that make up are union, contain a reference to God. Oaths sworn in court use the phrase “so help me God.” The Supreme Court summons with a prayer, “God save this honorable court.” We use these phrases because we put are faith and trust into God. The people that want 'under God' to be removed from the pledge say that...
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...Francis Bellamy produced The Pledge of Allegiance In the year of August 1892 and President Eisenhower, got Congress to added the phrase under God into the Pledge of Allegiance. However, in 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," forming the 31-word pledge (Pintér, 2006). Still, are numerous of people who are against flag for they don't believe in the words God and are confused of t the meaning of the flag and heritage of 13 colonies. However, to have a good understand it patriotic stand for the flag and soldier who died protected this Great country. Therefore, the behavior of lawsuit against the pledge allegiance by Michael Newdow because his daughter was reciting pledge allegiance with...
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...American is of or relating to United States of America or its people,language, or culture. What does it mean to be an American? Being American means that everyone gets to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day and show respect to all the Americans that sacrifice their lives for citizens. There were prisoners that were also American that said the Pledge of Allegiance every day because it meant so much to them. However Mike Christian is a great example of what it means to be a real American no matter how badly mistreated he went through. Americans do a lot of things to show their country’s pride; like hanging american flags in their yards, on their cars, and also having them on their shirts. Americans also say the Pledge of Allegiance every...
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...Should the Words “under God” be removed from the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance? The Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and ever since President Eisenhower and Congress added the phrase “under God” in 1954, controversy has arose in several facets of life. Although the phrase supposedly makes sense, due to its ongoing presence within society, as a large sum of Americans believe in God and the fact that the pledge is recited every day in practically every school facility, the ideal that America is a “melting pot of diversity” has evidently been neglected. The abandonment of the specifications regarding this ideal have led many to wonder— do the words “under God” align with the current and past ideals of society? Many...
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...The Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance The following paper will discuss the ethics of “The Pledge of Allegiance”. The original Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, and Christian Socialist. He was chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association. As chairman he prepared a program for the public schools in 1892, which included a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute – his “Pledge of Allegiance” (Baer, 1992). The Pledge qualifies as an artifact because it is persuading us to use the words in our classrooms everyday as an oral tribute to the United States. The original pledge was “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. It was written for recitation at flag raising ceremonies as a salute to the flag. The effectiveness it has is having individuals believe that there is power in the symbol of the flag. There is protection and peace of mind in being a unit and having unity and the flag represents this harmony. There were a few changes that lead to the alteration that is now recited today as "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." The pledge is now an oath and public prayer. This has sparked controversy from civil rights to religious...
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...Should the words 'under God' be removed from the pledge of allegiance? I. Introduction II. Ethical a. First argument i. The phrase “under God” was not introduced into the Pledge of Allegiance until the 1950’s when Americans were afraid of the communists taking over. Do we really want to continue a tradition founded in fear and discrimination? ii. Con b. Second argument iii. The term ‘under God’ can be viewed as exclusive of other beliefs. As a country founded on religious freedom, shouldn’t we respect all beliefs? Isn’t ‘one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’ more appropriate and just as powerful? iv. Con III. Moral c. The pledge of allegiance reflects America’s civic culture. v. By saying "under god" is not referencing a certain religion or making this a religion statement. ii. By definition the word "God" has ties to religion. According to webster's dictionary God is "the perfect and all-powerful spirit or being that is worshipped especially by Christians, Jews, and Muslims as the one who created and rules the universe : a spirit or being that has great power, strength, knowledge, etc., and that can affect nature and the lives of people : one of various spirits or beings worshipped in some religions." d. The Pledge of allegiance is not mandatory vi. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and can opt to leave out...
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