Controversy of Pledge of Allegiance in Schools

Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, was originally written in August, 1892 by an American Baptist minister and active social activist, Francis Bellamy. Congressional sessions open with the recitation of this pledge and is also recited at public events. The short, 15 second Pledge, is a promise or oath of loyalty to the Republic of United States of America. The Pledge was altered several times after 1892, thereby making the history of the Pledge of Allegiance quite interesting.

As per the United States Flag Code, the pledge is to be recited by standing at attention; facing the American flag and placing the right hand over the heart. People in uniform face the flag, remain silent and take the military salute. Those not in uniform must remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and place it on the their left shoulder, in such a way that their right hand is over the heart. The Pledge of Allegiance in schools is recited by children of all religions across America on a daily basis.

Controversy of Pledge of Allegiance

Today, the words of the Pledge of Allegiance reads: "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 of Allegiance is supposed to be important to the American citizens, however, there are a lot of debates on the Pledge of Allegiance, and its recital has been objected by many. The objectionable factor is the phrase 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. This phrase 'under God' means different to every individual:

• It refers to the existence of a deity, who is omnipotent and omniscient.
• It refers to a male deity, as female deities are referred to as Goddesses and are not taken into consideration in the Pledge.
• Further, the phrase refers to monotheism, indicating the presence of a single deity ruling over America.
• It also gives the indication that majority of the Americans believe in the existence of a God, who interfered with the events occurring on Earth, thereby guiding America in the direction He wishes.

The United States, which self identified itself as predominantly Christians, with approximately 88% of American adults being Christians in 1954. However, the percentage of Christian population has been plummeting. In a survey conducted by researchers at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., and funded by the Lilly Endowment and the Posen Foundation in 1990, the percentage dropped to 86, and in another decades time, the rate dropped even further. By 2008, the percentage of Christians in the US had dropped to 76.

The 2008 survey indicates that the number of Christians in the US has been reducing. Various other non-Christian religious groups have been growing steadily in numbers, in the US. Then there are the 'Nones', who comprise the atheists, agnostics and those without a stated religious preference. The 'Nones' have grown from 8.2% in 1990 to 15.0% in 2008. One indicator that reveals Americans lack of attachment to religion is, the data that 27% Americans do not wish to have a religious funeral at their death.

These religious minorities have stirred the debate keeping god in Pledge of Allegiance. Atheists who deny the existence of God, and Agnostics, who are undecided about the existence of God would not want to recite the Pledge with the words 'under God' in them, as the phrase opposes their beliefs. Moreover, for Deists who believe in a God who created the universe, brought it together and then left. They believe God is not around anymore, therefore, the phrase 'under God' is not applicable. Ethical Culturalists and humanists set their belief on secular considerations and are also not in favor of the phrase. Buddhists do not believe in a personal God and several Jews (due to Christian persecution) mostly oppose all governmental involvement in religion. All these variations in beliefs have resulted in the debate on the pledge of allegiance.

On a daily basis, the Pledge of Allegiance in schools is being recited. It is not a compulsion, however, people with different beliefs find the Pledge violating their personal faiths. In 1940, the Supreme Court ruled that, students in public schools must be compelled to recite the pledge. However, three years later the court took back its statement, because this was in violation to the First Amendment. The First Amendment gives people the freedom to exercise religion. Americans cannot be compelled to saying a pledge they find violating their personal beliefs.