Dear Spencerian Editors:
A member of my extended family recently posted the following along with the picture [a quaint picture of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in their school] in a Facebook post. When I questioned this, I was told it came from a reliable source. I questioned it because my wife's son "Pledges Allegiance" every morning at his Elementary School, and as a part of the morning show team there, leads the school. In fact, earlier this year (he is in fifth grade) he was taught about its origins, its meaning and why it is said. I am sure as this year progresses I am going to see more of these and other contentious subjects, but as someone who is learning about his new home - I have been here since May 2010 - as someone who wants to discuss and form views and opinions I would rather be
dealing with facts.
Following is the content from the Facebook post:
"I remember....every morning when I was a kid....When I taught special ed. in B'ham....we did it, even tho. many of my students were unable to recite, but stood with their hand on their heart with the rest of them...That is just awful that this has been removed from school....It's an American tradition, & it should still be part of school....Those offended can just sit in their seats & not participate......I'm sick of this BS...politically correctness & walking on egg shells around people we might offend....If you are privilaged to be an American, than this you must do......Just sayin'....& with that, I hope I didn't offend anyone....& if I did...just climb on board with me, & you won't be offended."
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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.
Thank you for your question, Andrew. That right there is the full, modern-day Pledge, just in case.
There have been numerous legal challenges around the Pledge of Allegiance over the years, particularly as it relates to having it recited in schools. There seem to be a couple of big sticking points with those who oppose the idea of making it mandatory for children to recite it in school.
The first is the sort of "indoctrination" piece -- is it really right to force children to pledge loyalty to their nation and their nation's flag when they don't really have a choice?
The second question comes up around the "under God" piece. Pop quiz, Andrew: when was "under God" incorporated into the Pledge (hint: the Pledge has been around since 1892 and those words have not always been there).
The answer is: 1954.
Before 1954, no one had bothered to think about changing it that much. A Scottish-born Presbyterian Minister named George MacPherson Docherty was the guy who did the heavy lifting to get the words "under God" incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance.
It's kind of a nifty story, but the short version is, Docherty invoked the words of President Abraham Lincoln with the then-President (and recent Presbyterian convernt) Dwight Eisenhower in attendance. Docherty said that the idea of God was the "definitive factor in the American way of life," and that Lincoln had used the phrase "under God" to set America apart from other nations. Congress passed a joint resolution, and Eisenhower signed it into law on Flag Day.
Think about that, though: 1954. You can debate whether or not we should have the words "under God" incorporated into our national identity -- an identity which prides itself (or used to) on the idea of a diversity of faiths, beliefs, and dogmas. That idea is in fact a core principle of the founding of our nation. The idea that we're a nation "under God" was certainly never the intention of the Founding Fathers.
So let's talk about what that Facebook post is really about, which is this phony baloney "war on religion," or "war on Christianity." I had a relevant post on this the other day, via Mustang Bobby at Bark Bark Woof Woof, and his link from Melissa McEwan, who wrote:
Yes, everywhere I look there is evidence we are about to become a godless society, like: Our Christian president, our last Christian president, their almost exclusively Christian administrations who relentlessly pander to conservative and/or moderate Christians, the almost totally Christian Supreme Court, an almost entirely Christian Congress who start each session with a prayer, the millions and millions of other American Christians whose day of worship is still respected in various state laws across the country (like in Indiana, where you still can't shop for a car or buy booze on a Sunday), whose views are reflected in various federal laws (like denying same-sex couples the right of marriage in order to protect its "sanctity"), whose holidays are also national holidays, whose holy book must be sworn on in state and federal courts, and whose churches are not required to pay taxes, guaranteed freedom of religion, money that says "In God We Trust," a pledge of allegiance that describes us as "one nation under God," television networks who will accept advertising from conservative religious groups but not liberal political groups, schools who are incorporating a religious belief into science classes, conscience clauses for pharmacists and healthcare providers, religion-based residential communities being built, religious museums and amusement parks springing up all over the country, religious leaders being given diplomatic immunity, faith-based initiatives being federally funded, and our national media being constantly embroiled in a debate about in which god the president believes.
GOP front-runner Mitt Romney may believe that President Obama has engaged in some sort of "assault on religion," but I'm having a hard time seeing it. At the National Prayer Breakfast -- held today -- President Obama said "Christian faith guides his policies." (Read the full text of his remarks here.)
So what to do about kids in school who are either required or "strongly encouraged" to recite the Pledge of Allegiance"? (Which is to really ask, what to do about largely voiceless children who are shamelessly used as a political cudgle in what amounts to a culture war grudge match.)
Indeed, Andrew, legal challenges have faced the Pledge since the 1950s up to the last couple of years.
In a 2010 case called Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said the words "under God" were "of a ceremonial and patriotic nature," and did not constitute the establishment of religion.
That wasn't the only only legal proceedings on the matter in 2010. The First Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously said the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate student's rights. The U.S. Supreme court appeal of this decision was denied (meaning the ruling of the First Circuit was upheld).
There was an interesting story on this very subject on NPR just a few months ago.
Andrew, from my view, this is an easy one in which to be dismissive: Oh, just make the kids say it. Builds character. Makes them patriotic.
My problem with that is that patriots aren't made through pledges -- they're made through experiences which endear them to their country.
I love my country. Not because I stand in front of a flag and hold my hand over my heart and recite a pledge, but because of the freedom I had to experience new things, the opportunity I had to learn and grow and become the individual I am today. I owe, in some part, my individuality to my country. Freedom. Opportunity. That's what breeds patriots.
Thanks for the question, Andrew.
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I WANT TO ANSWER YOUR POLITICAL QUESTIONS: Ask away. I'll give it my very best shot. No question is too weird, no subject is off the table. Just so long as it's political.
Just email me: bkirby816 AT yahoo DOT com
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