The United States should remove the words “under god” from the pledge of allegiance
All mention of religion must be removed from the pledge of allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under… silence. That’s what you’ll hear if you listen in to my recital of the pledge of allegiance each morning at 7:30 a.m. After those around me say “under God,” I continue through the rest of the pledge. But in the moment of those two words – silence.
The words “under god” were added to the pledge of allegiance in 1954. That was a terrible mistake. Their inclusion goes against the very basic principles of the United States.
The Constitution of the United States, as amended by the Bill of Rights, guarantees all people the right to the freedom of religion. Throughout history, one way the government has upheld this freedom has been through its own secularism. By maintaining no national religion or religion in government, the U.S. ensures that no one feels that any religion is endorsed or disapproved of by the government. This is, of course, a good thing. If the President openly promoted, say, Catholicism as the religion of the United States, those who are not Catholic would potentially feel like outsiders in America.
The inclusion of “God” in the pledge causes that same kind of problem. Some Americans call the higher power they have faith in another name, while others believe in no god at all. The pledge is supposed to be a very American ritual, as most flag-focused actions are. So to inject religion into it pushes out those who follow no religion or those who do not believe in “God.”
It’s not just non-monotheistic people who should disavow the pledge’s added language, however. Even if you believe that America is “under God,” that does not justify the words inclusion in the pledge. Just as America is secular, its primary pledge should be, too. Any mention of any religion in any deeply American or governmental speech or text should be removed. A United States of America without religion intertwined with patriotism is a stronger, freer, better United States of America.
With the wrongness of the pledge’s (unoriginal) inclusion in mind, I urge you to join me in not saying “under God” when saying the pledge of allegiance. One person at a time, we can right the non-secular wrong that was imposed upon an otherwise great set of patriotic words.
Elle Rood is a sophomore and Eastside Global Commentary Editor. Outside the (virtual) newsroom he can be found staffing national political campaigns, collecting...
Deanna • Dec 14, 2022 at 3:23 am
Our nation was founded on the principles of God Almighty. The One who created heaven and earth. We are ‘under God’ as a nation. Thanking Him for His blessings on this nation. If you don’t want to serve Him, then by all means keep silent.
Glen Cheatwood • Oct 26, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Not to seem judgemental,but the one suggesting “Under GOD” should find their self to locate the realm of HUMAN NATURE..The WORD’S OF SENSES WILL NEVER BE REMOVED.
Richard • Oct 24, 2022 at 7:15 am
Completely wrong on every statement you made with your newly invented history as I am 50 years old and have a 25 year old daughte ER Nurse and 22 year old son playing college football and in sports medicine. This site is very disturbing to see as my father is 74 years old and recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in Grade School in the fifties as I did in the 80’s all the way through high school?? No clue?Your trying to simply make up new things as you don’t know the truth as the government wants you to. You’ll wake up correct very soon as this ridiculous ideology is over!! If you don’t believe in God I wish you the best! As I know where i am going when he calls me home. Guessing you people will be taking the downstairs ladder as this is sick. And no there were 0 different sexes even through the 90’s it was gay or straight. That’s it!!
Sandy Richards • Jul 22, 2022 at 11:49 am
That’s the problem with this country we took God out of everything our schools everything and we should start saying the pledge allegiance in the school when we stop doing that that is when our country started falling to nothing that’s why people don’t have respect for our country anymore cuz we took God out of everything I will never not say one nation under God because that is how this nation was created amen
Broad Meadow • Jul 9, 2022 at 12:56 am
Under God! Under God!! Under God!!! God!!! God!!! Yeshua!!!!!
This is the Land of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. And there’s NOTHING anyone can do about that!
Amen
Jon • Jun 23, 2022 at 4:29 am
Sorry but you are wrong and not able to see this nation was founded under God’s principles/laws. It is God’s will that people are free and have dominion over the earth hence why the forefathers believed in natural rights given to us by God and not man. God even gives free will to believe in Him and his Son therefore freedom of beliefs/religion. We must admit they were flawed in their beliefs since slavery was ok but again, maybe they believed it to be ok since there was slaves talked about in the Bible. The acts of man is what has tarnished the view of God but if you read and follow the Bible one would see man acts against the teachings of the Bible. But hey, if you don’t like that the forefathers used principles/beliefs of the Bible to found this nation , you are welcomed to leave to another country. You know that thing called free will? exercise it.
David • Jun 18, 2022 at 5:08 pm
You should probably remove indivisible as well because people who think like that are the reason our country is so divided.
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb • Jun 10, 2022 at 12:27 pm
God is alive! He has blessed pur nation over and over .He deserves our respect and when the trumpet sounds take your argument then..The Holy Spirit will be gone and you can argue your point with Satan.
You r in my prayers to meet the son of God …Jesus…and know his saving grace. He loved us all enough to die on the cross and give us a chance for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Sandy blue • May 30, 2022 at 9:44 am
Under God should stay
Carmen Lopez • May 26, 2022 at 12:47 am
I t was written that way from the beginning. Let no one change anything.
God is who is holding us safe. Never forget that.
Lawrence Brown • May 23, 2022 at 2:50 pm
“Under God” supports the fundamental principles of the United States as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and defined in the Constitution 1787. In spite of our human frailties, this is who we, as a people, aspire to be. I am only sorry that we will not have you among us, when we achieve it.
Nix E • May 23, 2022 at 12:49 am
When I was in high school, back in the 1990’s, I refused to stand for the pledge. My issue wasn’t with the “under God” part. I felt that part fell under the umbrella of my issue with the pledge which was, “one country, in liberty, with FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.” I told my teachers that until there was freedom and Justice for ALL, I was not saying the pledge. They let me stay seated.
Steve • May 20, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Thank you for posting this. I totally agree with you and I am saddened by those who can’t disagree without their hostile attacks on you personally. I went to grade and high school and recited the pledge without “under G-d”. Believe me we were indivisible during WWII. Collected scrap metal in piles higher than our school house. Collected fat and gave it to the butcher at the market to be turned into glycerine. Eisenhower suggested adding this during the Cold War in 1954 as a contrast to “godless communism”. We need to be indivisible now with liberty and justice for All, not just for those who some of us think are true believers. Let’s stop spreading hate. Love binds us better.
Stuart • May 20, 2022 at 9:22 am
Sorry, I disagree with you. I just believe that because this country was founded on values found in the Bible, they should also be reflected in national things like the Pledge of Allegiance.
Alpha Omega • May 6, 2022 at 5:49 am
Let’s face the truth…if you don’t believe in God now and want to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance and off the dollar bill and/or anything having to do with God, that is your God given choice. Although, I have a huge feeling that you will regret at least that you don’t believe in God when your free will (choice) not to believe in God will result in burning in hell forever instead of living with God forever, in peace, in Heaven. Again, your choice…
Stacy Ann pickl • Feb 27, 2022 at 7:46 am
I disagree God should remain in the pledge of allegiance because we still all live underneath God under God we’re supposed to be peaceful under Gods word politics ?
James Hamilton • Feb 4, 2022 at 8:52 am
While I don’t agree with the author’s wish to remove “under God” from America’s Pledge of Allegiance I will always defend their right to say it.
I look at the word “God” as a Symbol of our Religious Freedoms. It means whatever the person wishes it to mean. I do believe that everyone should have something bigger than themselves to believe in.
There was a hope that we would live Indivisible and United. As our Country becomes more divided we also become weaker to defend against attacks against our way of Life. A good example of this is our inability to defeat this Worldwide Pandemic.
One Old Veteran’s Opinion.
Name(required) • Dec 3, 2021 at 9:24 am
While I do agree with this article, I also respect the opinions of those who disagree. As an atheist myself, I just don’t say the pledge. It’s that simple. You don’t have to change something that’s been around for more than a century just because of its religious content.
Connor Payne • Jul 5, 2021 at 10:34 am
No they absolutely should not remove it
Gary E Jakubisin • Jun 21, 2021 at 2:08 pm
I’m not a believer in God but I do respect others beliefs. I dont believe one man has the right to change the Pledge of Allegiance and if you’re going to recite it you should respect it’s TRUE and original text and not change it based on only your opinion. If you think it should be changed then do it the proper way instead of forcing it down people’s throats. Send it to the people through Congress and Senate so the American people can vote on it. Bet you only get 23% in favor of change.
Geoffrey Braun • May 31, 2021 at 5:31 pm
85% of Americans believe in God. Majority rules. God is an essentsil element of our doctrines, laws, and principles. Tough tooties, buddy.
Dee • Nov 18, 2020 at 1:18 pm
I also don’t really like the idea of saying “under God” during the pledge. It feels like I have to believe in God otherwise I’m not welcome. As a kid, I was forced to say it and I really resent the pledge now
Stephen • Sep 24, 2020 at 1:14 am
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion” but if yours is different than mine, please leave the country?? Seriously, this is an adult writing these comments? Also, this country was founded by Puritans, who formally objected to and denounced Catholicism, by the way. It took a long time for us to accept all religions in this country.
~e • Sep 11, 2020 at 12:16 am
i was never religious growing up so i quietly changed it to “under hope”
Richard Hull • May 27, 2020 at 1:26 pm
To those of you who live in this great nation, but do not like the USA and/or the Pledge of Allegiance, know this. I will be more than happy to buy you a one-way ticket to the socialist country of your choice.
Diana • May 17, 2020 at 11:44 pm
“Under God”, Amen to that. God Denied, um, it’s like sealing yor fate..
(Required) • Feb 22, 2020 at 10:35 pm
Tradition shouldn’t change because of the subjective feelings of a select few. No one’s freedom of religion is being imposed upon by the words ‘under God’. No one is forcing them to say it. You can’t just attempt to exterminate anything remotely offensive or controversial from society. To live in modern society is to live with the risk of being offended.
Tonu • Feb 20, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you don’t like the pledge don’t say any of it. Just pack up and leave the USA..
Joe Coyne • Feb 20, 2020 at 12:14 pm
You do you,I’ll do me. If the pledge were to change,a bill supported ,and passed,should be required. God,in the general sense,has been accepted by the majority of us citizens sense the creation of our country.
Freedom of religion,and from it is guaranteed. Yet,the citizens who serve are still sworn in using the bible.
I believe its still used in court to swear in witnesses.
No traction there.
Enjoy your freedom
Lois • Feb 20, 2020 at 10:26 am
This nation was founded on Christian values. If it offends you, move to a nation founded on your values. I will continue to express my dedication a gratitude as I was taught.
Stephen • Feb 20, 2020 at 6:34 am
Or how bout you just keep doing your silence thing and let the rest of us who want to say under God.
Sparky • Feb 20, 2020 at 2:31 am
In GOD we Trust. That is the truth. Don’t like it . .Than go away