"One Nation, Under God"

[SimpleMind]

Every morning I am told, in a PUBIC SCHOOL, to stand up and say that I live in a country under a God in which I do not believe. I find it offensive, and definitely toeing the line between Church and state.
For debate: Should "under God"be kept in the Pledge, and why do you think it was added in the first place in the 1950s?

[pwsoldier]

I definately think there's a church/state issue here. Personally, I'm not offended by the name of God in the Pledge and other national slogans, mainly because the commonality of it makes it easy to ignore. Ironically enough, I'd probably be more offended by it if I were a Christian because such casual use of the name of God borders quite heavily on taking his name in vain.

As for the cause of addition, it was originally promoted by the Knights of Columbus starting in 1951. They were inspired by Lincoln's Gettysburg address in which he said, "..this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom". One of their members petitioned President Eisenhower to include it in the Pledge, and he did so in 1954. Two years later he made "In God We Trust" the official national motto, allegedly in an attempt to stifle Communism in the US.

[SimpleMind]

While the commonality of the phrase can make it easier to ignore and discount, it also reinforces the sense of a state religion. "In God We Trust" is our nation's motto, and is printed on our national currency. Would this happen in a country truly dedicated to not having a state religion? I doubt it.

[Goat]

While the commonality of the phrase can make it easier to ignore and discount, it also reinforces the sense of a state religion. "In God We Trust" is our nation's motto, and is printed on our national currency. Would this happen in a country truly dedicated to not having a state religion? I doubt it.

I will point out that 'God' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Christianity, or even Islam

[pwsoldier]

While the commonality of the phrase can make it easier to ignore and discount, it also reinforces the sense of a state religion. "In God We Trust" is our nation's motto, and is printed on our national currency. Would this happen in a country truly dedicated to not having a state religion? I doubt it.

Agreed. That's why I said it was a church/state issue. I wasn't trying to suggest that we should ignore the constitutional breach caused by the phrase. I should've cleared that up, sorry.

[SimpleMind]

I will point out that 'God' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Christianity, or even Islam

While that is true, I think it is very plain to see that the God referenced in our motto and in the pledge is a "Christian" God. No way around it, since the idea was suggested by a Christian Reverend.

[Goat]

I will point out that 'God' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Christianity, or even Islam

While that is true, I think it is very plain to see that the God referenced in our motto and in the pledge is a "Christian" God. No way around it, since the idea was suggested by a Christian Reverend.

In his mind, yes.. but at least it didn't say "JEsus'

[steen]

I will point out that 'God' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Christianity, or even Islam

Which is no comfort to polytheists and antheists.

[McCulloch]

I will point out that 'God' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Christianity, or even Islam

I will point out that 'Allah' is a very generic term, and can equally be used for Hinduism, or Judaism, or Islam, or even Christianity.

[Skeptic]

You left out the option of; "I don't care"
Freedom of religion is not freedom from religion and if the majority prefer it then fine. It doesn't affect my life in the slightest.