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Is it Time to Remove Under God From the Pledge?
Bismarck.Bloodrose
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By Bismarck.Bloodrose 2014-04-22 12:44:16
If the Church ordered you to purge all "Heathens", would you? A heathen being anyone not belonging to your sect.
EXODUS!!!! Some people really hate when you point out the killing in the name of god scriptures.
I still think Religion is more about group solidarity than morality. Nothing speaks more volumes to our primate nature than that need, and the willingness to blindly follow leaders. This would be true, if even in the animal kingdom of the greater primates, the Alpha Males weren't constantly being questioned by the Beta Males, trying up usurp power for themselves, or for thinking that they can protect the group much better.
Much like every election ever.
By Jetackuu 2014-04-22 12:45:37
I think there's already been some court cases about the issue and they found it was no problem due to the ambiguous nature of the use of the word "god" as it doesn't necessarily mean just one. I still find that to be a short sided response in order to prevent mass riots, but hey.
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Sylph.Peldin
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By Sylph.Peldin 2014-04-22 13:04:08
In the Pledge of Allegiance, the words "under God" are best understood as a reflection of the simple historical fact that the Founders believed in a supreme being, and that their belief led them to dedicate the nation to the fundamental secular precept that all men have unalienable rights to liberty and justice.
Is there something wrong with encouraging patriotism? How exactly are the words "under God" patriotic? You quoted me answering that, yet you still asked. I don't understand your confusion.
I would remind you that many of our founding fathers were Deists and Ben Franklin claimed to be an atheist. He also claimed to be a theist but that's beside the point. Exactly. If you read the wikipedia page that you linked, you would see that Deists believe in a Creator, IE - a god.
Your premise is mistaken anyway.
Quote: In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer. - source.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization. oldtimeislands.org calling it a public prayer does not make it a public prayer.
Bellamy, the author of our pledge, stated
Quote: if I can instill into the minds of our American youth a love for their country and the principles on which it was founded, and create in them an ambition to carry on with the ideals which the early founders wrote into The Constitution, I shall not have lived in vain. The addition of "under God" by Louis A. Bowman actually fits Bellamy's ideology.
Now, the REQUIREMENT to say the pledge is a totally different story. Obviously there are some people out there that have no sense of patriotism and/or no love for this country or what it stands for (even though the same freedoms they hate give them the rights to be here). If they feel so strongly about it, it is (and should be) their right to not participate in saying it. The United States Flag Code establishes the rules for display and care of the flag, along with rules for the pledge and national anthem. However, there is no law to penalize people for not following that code.
Quote: The anonymous plaintiffs say those two words violate the state constitution's right to equal protection. How stupid are these plaintiffs? Did they get a letter from the government saying "we're not going to protect you as much because you don't say the pledge of allegiance" ??
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By Odin.Zicdeh 2014-04-22 13:07:42
Bismarck.Bloodrose said: »If the Church ordered you to purge all "Heathens", would you? A heathen being anyone not belonging to your sect.
EXODUS!!!! Some people really hate when you point out the killing in the name of god scriptures.
I still think Religion is more about group solidarity than morality. Nothing speaks more volumes to our primate nature than that need, and the willingness to blindly follow leaders. This would be true, if even in the animal kingdom of the greater primates, the Alpha Males weren't constantly being questioned by the Beta Males, trying up usurp power for themselves, or for thinking that they can protect the group much better.
Much like every election ever.
The difference is merely philosophical. While humans tend to seek Alpha role for power and control, Primates seek the Alpha role for mating privileges. (And tell me if that isn't at least partially true in Humans too?)
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Lakshmi.Zerowone
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By Lakshmi.Zerowone 2014-04-22 13:11:35
The difference is merely philosophical. While humans tend to seek Alpha role for power and control, Primates seek the Alpha role for mating privileges. (And tell me if that isn't at least partially true in Humans too?)
In the words of Mel Brooks as Louis XIV in History of the World Part I: "It's good to be the king"
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Leviathan.Chaosx
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 13:11:51
...one nation under dog...
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By Jetackuu 2014-04-22 13:12:44
...one nation under dog...
Lakshmi.Flavin
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By Lakshmi.Flavin 2014-04-22 13:15:38
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.
Technically as a Christian I am not allowed to pledge any allegiances to anyone unless they are under God (anything else would be above God and not ok)
How many levels of stupid you have to be? Is telling your kids not to smoke or running in a street brainwashing or protecting them? Is it that hard for you to comprehend "not to pledge allegiance to anything until you know and understand what they are actually doing." So to you, having them wait until they are well informed so they can make an informed choice is the same as brainwashing? lol I don't know if I should pity you thinking or laugh. But if you consider pledging allegiance to a nation as brainwashing, then why not the refusal to pledge allegiance to a nation as brainwashing also?
Street goes both ways bub. What you consider brainwashing, somebody else can consider the opposite as brainwashing.
You completely missed my point, and I expect you to miss my point again because of your arrogance.
Ok it's official, I pity your thinking. Let me briefly explain why you’re thinking makes no sense. First having kids pledge allegiance without knowing what they are doing, no comparison, no opposing viewpoints, no historical context over and over again is what I call brainwashing. When they are old enough to comprehend what pledging allegiance means and all of the above plus more was covered in their education and they choose based on that, how can that possibly be considered brainwashing? It’s the opposite. Sorry, I can’t miss a point that you thought you were making when it was flawed from the start. “What you consider brainwashing, somebody else can consider the opposite as brainwashing” You made me cry a little bit with this line. I would ask you to explain this but I fear I may not mentally recover from it. Look up what the word brainwashing actually means, then try to picture someone defending doing the opposite can be called the same thing.
Please just....stop posting, I still do the pledge of allegiance, hell my whole school does the pledge of allegiance. It is not brainwashing you idiot, if anything you're the one brainwashing your own child.
Put a sock in it and take the tin foil hat off, I mean what happens if your child starts to rebel and starts to say the pledge? What will you do? Going to punish the child for making a choice? If so you're brainwashing them yourself and you are a hypocrite.
I do it willingly, I've done it for years and have questioned the country many times. Just because you say the pledge does not mean you're a brainwashed buttmonkey.
Stop posting...seriously....
Hmm. Pathetic reading comprehension go.
Oh no I read that part actually, but is it still ok to go "Don't say the pledge because I say so, you don't know anything enough yet so I'm making the choice for you"
How is that any different?
Then again, what's the point of this debate?
This is what happens when you come to a party late. I made the point earlier, if you tell your child not to smoke or not to run across a street, is that brainwashing or protecting them until they are old enough to make that choice for themselves? See, boatload of stupid. Well maybe not stupid but simple. Good day princess.
No actually telling them not to run across a street or smoke is protecting them from somethign that is harmful. Saying the pledge of allegiance isn't harmful, that's being 1.) Overprotective. 2.) Brainwashing. 3.) Hypocritical.
Good day peaches.
You don't think it is harmful, I do for some reasons I have stated already. I don't care if you agree or not but my kids will choose because they really want to or not for valid provable reasons. Whatever they pick, they will know more about this country then you do.
Cut the quote train a bit, don't have to keep all of the posts in it x_x ftfy What did you fix? It's a secret :P
That's your right, insomuch that it does not violate the rights of someone else.
Take this for what it is, hyperbole, but I have to ask: If the Church ordered you to purge all "Heathens", would you? A heathen being anyone not belonging to your sect. Could you imagine the battle royale?!?
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By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2014-04-22 13:25:25
The difference is merely philosophical. While humans tend to seek Alpha role for power and control, Primates seek the Alpha role for mating privileges. (And tell me if that isn't at least partially true in Humans too?)
In the words of Mel Brooks as Louis XIV in History of the World Part I: "It's good to be the king"
And yet heavy is the head that wears the crown.
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By sumo 2014-04-22 13:26:08
I guess I'm on the side of defending the Pledge. I said the Pledge everyday during my K-5 years and I don't feel as though I've been brainwashed in any way, shape or form. In fact, I'm more critical of my country, it's government, and it's citizens now than ever before. You may attribute that to age, wisdom and knowledge. The Pledge has nothing to do with it. I don't feel that the words "under God" are inherently Christian or belonging to any religion specifically. As far as I'm concerned, "under God" just means under ANY God. If you're Christian, Buddhist, Scientologist, Spanish or Mon Calamari, it can apply to anyone or no one in particular. It sounds to me like Atheists like to get involved with anything having to do with religion and muck it up because they feel left out of everyone's reindeer games. At what point do Atheists start infringing on the rights of religious folks with all the hemming and hawing over anything having to do with God? Point is, not everyone is going to be happy at the same time, so just live and let live. Forget about all the petty Easter Bunny *** along with "happy holidays" and the Pledge for a minute and realize that none of that is dangerous, harmful or in anyway directed at anyone with the intent to offend.
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Leviathan.Chaosx
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 13:28:42
...one nation under dog...
 This works perfectly on all levels!
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Leviathan.Chaosx
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 13:30:06
Can we get the pledge with an American flag in the background as well?
Leviathan.Skade
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By Leviathan.Skade 2014-04-22 13:30:19
idk if this has been brought up or not but "under god" wasn't in the original pledge.
"February 7 is a notable historical day for the acknowledgment of God in modern America: it is the day that a sermon was preached before President Dwight D. Eisenhower, suggesting that the words "under God" be added to the pledge. The sermon was preached by the Rev. George M. Docherty, pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D. C."
"These resolutions were passed, and on June 14, 1954 (Flag Day), President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law, officially adding the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance"
it was a political move to help people get on the boat to destroy communism. anytime politics use religion to further their own agendas it's wrong. i don't see why "god" has any place in a nation that expresses it has freedom of religion.
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By Jetackuu 2014-04-22 13:30:39
I guess I'm on the side of defending the Pledge. I said the Pledge everyday during my K-5 years and I don't feel as though I've been brainwashed in any way, shape or form. In fact, I'm more critical of my country, it's government, and it's citizens now than ever before. You may attribute that to age, wisdom and knowledge. The Pledge has nothing to do with it. I don't feel that the words "under God" are inherently Christian or belonging to any religion specifically. As far as I'm concerned, "under God" just means under ANY God. If you're Christian, Buddhist, Scientologist, Spanish or Mon Calamari, it can apply to anyone or no one in particular. It sounds to me like Atheists like to get involved with anything having to do with religion and muck it up because they feel left out of everyone's reindeer games. At what point do Atheists start infringing on the rights of religious folks with all the hemming and hawing over anything having to do with God? Point is, not everyone is going to be happy at the same time, so just live and let live. Forget about all the petty Easter Bunny *** along with "happy holidays" and the Pledge for a minute and realize that none of that is dangerous, harmful or in anyway directed at anyone with the intent to offend. Not all religions have a "god" at the top dude.
Valefor.Sehachan
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By Valefor.Sehachan 2014-04-22 13:31:08
Not all religions have a "god" at the top dude. Mine has a giant chocolate egg.
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Leviathan.Chaosx
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 13:31:39
idk if this has been brought up or not but "under god" wasn't in the original pledge.
"February 7 is a notable historical day for the acknowledgment of God in modern America: it is the day that a sermon was preached before President Dwight D. Eisenhower, suggesting that the words "under God" be added to the pledge. The sermon was preached by the Rev. George M. Docherty, pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D. C."
"These resolutions were passed, and on June 14, 1954 (Flag Day), President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law, officially adding the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance"
it was a political move to help people get on the boat to destroy communism. anytime politics use religion to further their own agendas it's wrong. i don't see why "god" has any place in a nation that expresses it has freedom of religion. Check page uno.
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By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2014-04-22 13:33:54
The 'under God' wasn't added for some pluralist desire to included Muslims, Hindus, Jews etc. It was added to advance one God above all others.
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Leviathan.Chaosx
Server: Leviathan
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 13:34:55
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »The 'under God' wasn't added for some pluralist desire to included Muslims, Hindus, Jews etc. It was added to advance one God above all others. What about the pagans?
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By Jetackuu 2014-04-22 13:35:17
Not all religions have a "god" at the top dude. Mine has a giant chocolate egg.
You worship the Wind Fish?
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By Odin.Godofgods 2014-04-22 13:42:52
i can see a few points of view on this. The principle of separation of church and state would dictate that it be removed. But at the same time it does also seem a bit nit picking (right or wrong, not being judged).
Secondly, the pledge of allegiance in schools ultimately is worthless (with or without 'under god'). It changes nothing, it means nothing. Since kids in schools are taught at a young age the words to recite but are never taught the meaning or idea behind them, the kids have no real idea what they are saying anyway. So it rly means nothing to them.
What i do have a problem with however, is teachers trying to force the kids to recite it. And i mean force as in if you don't do it, you will be in trouble. When i deiced to no longer recite it in school, several of my teachers tried to force me to say it, and tried to punish me after i didn't. - Another example of teachers/school pushing personal will and agenda on kids. - Now that i have a problem with.
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Sylph.Peldin
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By Sylph.Peldin 2014-04-22 14:01:34
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »The 'under God' wasn't added for some pluralist desire to included Muslims, Hindus, Jews etc. It was added to advance one God above all others. That's possible. Docherty was a preacher in a Christian church. Eisenhower became a Christian in 1953, the year before. Bellamy, the author of the original pledge, was a Baptist minister. It's very plausible. However, I'd encourage you to read what Bellamy and Eisenhower stated as their reasons, instead of conjecturing your own.
I worry that adding spirituality into patriotism is just another way to alienate and divide us: It becomes another thing to distract us unnecessarily, instead of focusing on human rights and the other tangible issues that matter we end up focusing on endlessly redefining exactly where spirituality combines with patriotism/government like we're creating a conflict to rally behind.
It's not up to religion or a deity to keep us patriotic and keep human rights ever progressing, it's up to the people and the nation. I wouldn't worry about it too much. In the past, spirituality in patriotism has had the opposite effect of what you claim. Not just in the United States.
There is nothing wrong with the pledge as it is. It's not infringing on anyone's rights as these plaintiffs claim. These atheists really just need to stfu and quit letting their panties get in a twist every time someone says the word "god."
By fonewear 2014-04-22 14:14:20
This is going to end well.
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Ragnarok.Sekundes
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By Ragnarok.Sekundes 2014-04-22 14:29:08
I'm curious, if the roles were reversed and it said something like "under Odin" or "Under Science" or something like that, would everyone be okay with that since these words mean nothing and shouldn't be worried about?
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Leviathan.Chaosx
Server: Leviathan
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By Leviathan.Chaosx 2014-04-22 14:30:53
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By fonewear 2014-04-22 14:36:14
Can we remove 3D movies while we are at it ?
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By Lye 2014-04-22 15:10:31
Can we remove 3D movies while we are at it ?
I understand you don't see a good reason to remove the words "under God."
I can't help but wonder if it falls into some confirmation bias you hold dear to such as " 'merica is going to the shitter!"
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By Lakshmi.Sparthosx 2014-04-22 15:13:21
The one true God. My scimitar and suicide vest says so.
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Server: Asura
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By Asura.Kingnobody 2014-04-22 15:15:18
Lakshmi.Sparthosx said: »
The one true God. My scimitar and suicide vest says so. Were you promised 74 virgins also?
The virgins are males, they didn't specify which sex
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Lakshmi.Flavin
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By Lakshmi.Flavin 2014-04-22 15:19:56
Whats the point? Things change. They get adjusted to fit an image and to create a desired perception. The pledge of allegiance is one of those things that has been modified to create a perception during a specific era. For the most part aspects of it are now anachronistic. True, but who's desired perception is predominant at this point? People aren't just making a case that this needs to be changed to change our national perception but that it is indoctrinating our youth (ridiculous by all accounts).
This doesn't really have to do with a seperation of church and state and it isn't forcing kids to follow a religion or name a specific one. If you honestly think this is harmful then you're just being ridiculous. If you do just want it changed because you think it's the best choice for our nation then well we're getting somewhere.
(not speaking to you directly with these zero)
A new fight started in NJ last month.
Quote: A national humanist group is suing a New Jersey school district on behalf of a family that believes the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is discriminatory toward atheist children.
The lawsuit against the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District was filed in state court last month and announced Monday by the American Humanist Association, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization.
The group says the phrase, added in 1954, "marginalizes atheist and humanist kids as something less than ideal patriots." The anonymous plaintiffs say those two words violate the state constitution's right to equal protection. Source
A cut and dry argument from the school:
Quote: David B. Rubin, a lawyer for the Matawan-Aberdeen district, said the district is following state law that requires the pledge to be said daily. The federal courts have upheld the constitutionality of the pledge in schools, he added, as long as students who object are not required to participate.
“We are disappointed that this national organization has targeted Matawan-Aberdeen for merely obeying the law as it stands,” Rubin said in a written statement. Source
This issue have also been raised many times before, but a similar case involving discrimination has only been presented recently. The first time was in 2013 in Boston.
Quote: Every attempt to eliminate the mention of God has thus far failed, but the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts will hear arguments on Wednesday seeking removal of the two words for a new reason: discrimination.
"This is the first challenge of its kind" said Roy Speckhardt, the executive director of the American Humanist Association, an atheist group arguing for the plaintiffs. "We feel very confident that we have a strong case."
That case, which was brought by an unidentified family of a student at a school in suburban Boston, will be argued on the premise that the pledge violates the Equal Rights Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution. It is the first such case to be tried on the state level: All previous attempts have been argued in federal court on the grounds that 'under God' was an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state. Source
So is it about time we change the Pledge of Allegiance? Are lawsuits the way to go about it? Who exactly do you sue if the school is only following the rules?
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