In ninth grade, I was assigned a research paper. Below are excerpts from this paper. They are few of the many points I made advocating the words "under God" in The Pledge of Allegiance.
The aspects defining the separation of Church and State as well as the context represented by the first Amendment of the Constitution are being used to justify opposition to the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The separation of Church and State exposes the postulate that religion and politics/ government should not coexist in the public eye. The first Amendment, within reason, offers support to both sides of the argument; it states: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Although, to an extent, the Amendment renders an argument for both views, in retrospect, the view opposing the phrase lacks thorough thought. The Pledge may be written into US law, however, contrary to popular beliefs, the term “under God” does not violate the US constitution. The term, “under God” simply gives reference to the religion on which our nation is based. Thus, despite every American not recognizing a Christian God, the phrase, “under God” should not be exempt from the Pledge of Allegiance.
“In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war." This quote, stated by Dwight D. Eisenhower on the fourteenth of June, 1954, justifies the addition of the words, “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. The original twenty-three word pledge. Written by Francis Bellamy, and editor of The Youth’s Companion, in 1924, did not include the controversial phrase. In fact, Bellamy intentionally excluded any reference to God so as to not restrain American citizens to a promised religion. The original Pledge was worded as follows: “I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." However, Bellamy overlooked the fact that, within text, the phrase “under God” simply gives credence to the religious values on which our nation was founded – aforementioned, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s justification.
The title of the controversial subject, “The Pledge of Allegiance”, vanquishes all arguments opposing the term. By definition, The Pledge of Allegiance” simply means, ‘a formal promise of loyalty to the nation’.
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