Restore_the_Original

Restore the Original Introduction Many public schools begin the school day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It is considered a patriotic practice of respect and many deem it important for children to participate. The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is not often a subject that parents worry about, although some are concerned about the words “under God” that were added in 1954 (Whitehead, 2002). Michael Newdow sued his daughter’s school for requiring the pledge with the included words “under God” to be recited. Michael Newdow felt that these two words violated the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment. The Establishment clause is a part of the First Amendment that prohibits Congress from showing favor toward or against any religion. Although his daughter and her mother Sandra Banning had no objection to the inclusion of “under God”, he was determined to have it removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals were in favor of Newdow. The ruling was dropped because he did not have custody over his daughter and the court thought it was not suitable for his child to be included in Newdow’s lawsuit (Elk Grove, 2004). Thesis Statement The phrase “under God” suggests favoritism of monotheism and therefore violates the Establishment clause. Not only do these two words violate the Establishment clause of the First Amendment, but the inclusion of these words does not respect the separation between church and state. “Under God” was added with the idea that it reflected the ideas and belief of those who colonized our country. However, the historical importance of the Pledge of Allegiance can be preserved and respected without mentioning God. Evidence The Pledge is a patriotic practice that signifies the support of our country’s principles. It should not reflect or support the belief or existence of God in any way. Douglas Laylock argues that children are essentially reciting the fact that they believe in God. If they do not believe in God, it is essentially a lie (Rourke, p. 39). The United States of America is a country of freedom. No one is or should be forced to recite the Pledge. With the inclusion of “under God,” some choose not to participate. Those who choose not to participate are doing so because they are exercising their constitutional rights and freedom of religion (Freedom from Religion Foundation, n.d.). Children who decide to sit down are put into an uncomfortable situation. They are standing up for what they believe in, but since when should children have to remove themselves from a daily school activity because of their religious views' We are excluding those who do not support monotheism or those who do not believe in God at all by including the phrase “under God.” The United States is unique in the way that we firmly believe in the separation between church and state. Our country may have started with religious or monotheistic founders, but we have evolved to become a place where government and religion are and should be visibly divided. The word “God” does not have any place in public schools nor in government. The endorsement, non-preferentialist, and strict separation tests were created by the Supreme Court Justices to test the cooperation with the Establishment Clause. The inclusion of the words “under God” fails to uphold in the non-preferentialist test because these two words show favoritism towards monotheism. The phrase “under God” is not only affirming the existence of God, but also stating that our country stands under God. The phrase “under God” does not cooperate with the endorsement test either. While the phrase can be interpreted differently by numerous people, it endorses the existence of God. One of the reasons we recite the Pledge of Allegiance is to show respect and devotion for our country. The flag of the United States is sacred and the words we recite reflect the historical importance in the founding of our nation. The phrase “under God” was not included in the original Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge was created over a century ago (Elk Grove, 2004) and because “under God” was added by Senator Ferguson in the 1950’s, the phrase does not necessarily hold historical meaning or importance. John Whitehead argues that Senator Ferguson’s amendment of the Pledge of Allegiance was reflecting the Constitution authors’ idea of the connection between God and the American government (Whitehead, 2002). The original Pledge of Allegiance did not include any mention of God and may have done so for a reason. To keep our citizens united with patriotism, the Pledge of Allegiance should return to its original state. Conclusion The phrase “under God” is unconstitutional and should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. We keep religion and government separate for a reason. The phrase has no historical or patriotic meaning and fails to pass the separation tests that were laid out for the Establishment Clause. Reference List   Elk Grove Unified School District and David W. Gordon, Superintendent, Petitioners v. Michael A. Newdow et al. 524 U.S. 1 (2004). Retrieved February 20, 2010 from Cornell University Law School, Legal Information Institute at http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/02-1624.ZO.html   Freedom from Religion Foundation.  (n.d.).  Public school violation.  Retrieved February 20, 2010 from Freedom from Religion Foundation at http://www.ffrf.org/faq/public-school-violations/pledge-of-allegiance/   Rourke, John T.  (2010).  Civil liberties, the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.             Chap. in You decide! 2010.  Boston: Longman Pearson.   Whitehead, John W.  (2002).  ‘Under God’ in Pledge is consistent with the belief of the Founders.      Retrieved February 20, 2010, from Rutherford Institute at http://www.rutherford.org/articles_db/commentary.asp'record_id=270 on RamCT for POLS101.