Jonah Patel
The inclusion of the phrase under God in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States' flag has sparked significant legal and cultural debates, particularly concerning the separation of church and state. The original Pledge, composed in 1892, did not include the phrase under God. In 1954, during the Cold War, Congress added the phrase to distinguish the United States' beliefs from the atheistic ideology of the Soviet Union. Since then, there have been numerous court challenges arguing that the phrase violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the equal protection clause of state constitutions. While some courts have ruled the phrase unconstitutional, others have upheld its inclusion, and the debate continues to evoke diverse perspectives among various religious and secular groups in American society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance | 1954 |
| U.S. President who signed the bill | Dwight Eisenhower |
| Congress' motivation for adding the phrase | To distinguish the U.S. from the atheistic Soviet Union during the Cold War |
| First legal challenge to the phrase "under God" | 2002 |
| Court that ruled the phrase unconstitutional in 2002 | Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Court that overturned the ruling in 2004 | U.S. Supreme Court |
| Recent legal challenges | Jane Doe v. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (Massachusetts, 2014); Case against Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District (New Jersey, 2015) |
| Recent events | 2019 arrest of a sixth-grade student for refusing to say the pledge; 2020 omission of "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance by two DNC caucuses |
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What You'll Learn
- The original Pledge of Allegiance did not include under God
- The phrase was added in 1954 during the Cold War
- The addition aimed to distinguish the US from the atheistic Soviet Union
- The phrase has sparked legal and cultural debates
- Court rulings have deemed the phrase both unconstitutional and constitutional
The original Pledge of Allegiance did not include under God
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America has been part of American life for generations. The original pledge, written by Francis Bellamy, was first given wide publicity in 1892 through the official program of the National Public Schools Celebration of Columbus Day. It was printed in The Youth's Companion of September 8, 1892, and sent out in leaflet form to schools throughout the country. The original version of the pledge did not include the words "under God". Instead, it went 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."
Over the years, the pledge underwent several modifications. In 1906, The Daughters of the American Revolution's magazine, The American Monthly, published a version of the pledge that included a reference to God: "I pledge allegiance to my flag, and the republic for which it stands. I pledge my head and my heart to God and my country. One country, one language, and one flag." In 1923, "my Flag" was changed to "the Flag of the United States" to avoid confusion among foreign-born individuals who might interpret "my Flag" as referring to the flag of their birth country. A year later, "of America" was added after "United States."
It was not until 1954 that the words "under God" were officially added to the Pledge of Allegiance. On Flag Day (June 14) of that year, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill passed by Congress that inserted the words "under God" into the phrase "one nation indivisible." The addition of "under God" was first suggested by Louis Albert Bowman, an attorney from Illinois, who claimed that the words came from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. However, while all the reporters' transcripts of the speech as delivered include the phrase "under God", not all manuscript versions of the address contain it, suggesting that Lincoln may have deviated from his prepared text.
The inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has been the subject of legal challenges and controversies. Critics argue that requiring citizens to pledge allegiance to a nation "under God" violates the protections against the establishment of religion guaranteed in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. In 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "under God" was an unconstitutional endorsement of monotheism when promoted in public schools. However, in 2015, a New Jersey Superior Court judge dismissed a similar lawsuit, ruling that the pledge does not violate the rights of those who do not believe in God.
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The phrase was added in 1954 during the Cold War
The phrase "under God" was inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, at the height of the Cold War. This addition was seen as a direct response to the ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. With communism, an officially atheistic ideology, as its rival, the US sought to emphasize its religious nature and distinguish itself from the godless communists. The inclusion of "under God" in the pledge was part of a broader effort by the Eisenhower administration to infuse religion into public life and assert America's religious identity in contrast to the atheism of communism.
The Cold War era witnessed intense anti-communist sentiment in the United States, and religion became a tool to differentiate American values from those of its ideological enemy. By adding "under God" to the pledge, the US government sent a clear message that America was a nation that recognized and valued its religious heritage. This amendment to the pledge was intended to serve as a public declaration of the nation's faith and a symbolic distinction from the Soviet Union, where religious expression was suppressed and atheism was promoted as the official doctrine.
The insertion of "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance was not without controversy, however. Even at the time, there were concerns raised about the establishment of religion and the potential exclusion of those who did not believe in God. The original pledge, written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, did not include any religious references, and the addition of "under God" marked a significant departure from its initial secular nature. Despite these concerns, the amendment gained widespread support in the context of the Cold War, as Americans sought to emphasize their patriotic and religious values in opposition to communism.
The year 1954 also saw the addition of the phrase "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States, further emphasizing the nation's turn towards publicly expressing its religious identity. These changes reflected the political and social climate of the time, as well as the desire to assert a religious dimension to American patriotism. The inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance remains a reminder of this historical context and continues to shape how Americans express their patriotism and understand the relationship between religion and national identity.
It is important to note that the addition of "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance did not alter the constitutional foundation of the country. The First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of religion and prohibits the government from establishing an official religion, remained unchanged. However, the inclusion of religious references in patriotic symbols and mottos did reflect a shift in public sentiment and the political climate of the era.
Overall, the insertion of "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance during the Cold War era represents a significant moment in American history, highlighting the complex interplay between religion, politics, and national identity.
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The addition aimed to distinguish the US from the atheistic Soviet Union
The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States' flag has been a part of American life for generations, but it has also been the subject of constitutional controversy. The pledge was first introduced in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, an ordained minister, and appeared in a magazine article commemorating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World. Bellamy's original pledge did not include the words "under God"; instead, it stated: "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands—one Nation indivisible—with liberty and justice for all."
Over the years, the wording of the pledge underwent several modifications, and in 1954, during the Cold War, the phrase "under God" was added. This addition was aimed to distinguish the United States' beliefs from the atheistic ideology of the Soviet Union. The United States was engaged in a global struggle against the Soviet Union, which was officially atheistic and promoted state atheism. By adding "under God" to the pledge, Congress intended to emphasize the United States' religious nature and values, setting it apart from the Soviet Union.
The inclusion of "under God" transformed the pledge into a blend of patriotic oath and public prayer, reflecting the religious revival of the 1950s. However, this addition also sparked significant legal and cultural debates, particularly concerning the separation of church and state. Critics argued that including "under God" violated the protections against the establishment of religion guaranteed in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The controversy over the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has led to several court cases and rulings. In 2002, a court ruled that the phrase was unconstitutional, but this decision was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004, which avoided directly addressing the church-state separation issue. The Supreme Court's ruling sparked further debate and continues to evoke diverse perspectives among religious and secular groups, highlighting the ongoing discourse surrounding national identity and faith in American society.
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The phrase has sparked legal and cultural debates
The addition of the phrase "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance has sparked significant legal and cultural debates in the United States, particularly concerning the separation of church and state. The Pledge of Allegiance, created in 1892, underwent several modifications until the phrase "under God" was added in 1954 during the Cold War. This addition aimed to distinguish the United States' beliefs from the atheistic ideology of the Soviet Union and reflected the religious revival of the 1950s. However, the inclusion of "under God" transformed the pledge into a blend of patriotic oath and public prayer, sparking debates about the role of religion in the public sphere.
One of the main legal debates centres around the First Amendment and the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favouring one religion over another. Some argue that the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Establishment Clause by promoting monotheism and establishing a religious element in a civic ritual. In 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase was unconstitutional, but this decision was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004, which avoided directly addressing the church-state separation issue.
The phrase has also sparked cultural debates about the role of religion in society and the extent to which it should be present in civic life. Some argue that the phrase marginalizes non-believers and promotes a climate of discrimination, making them feel like "second-class citizens." On the other hand, others defend the inclusion of "under God" as a reflection of the country's religious heritage and an important expression of patriotism, especially in the context of the Cold War and the desire to distinguish American values from those of the Soviet Union.
The debate over "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has also raised questions about religious freedom and the rights of individuals to refrain from participating in the pledge if it conflicts with their beliefs. While some states have laws requiring students to recite the pledge, there have been legal challenges and incidents where students have been ridiculed or even arrested for refusing to participate. These incidents have brought attention to the importance of respecting religious diversity and the right to dissent, as protected by the First Amendment.
Overall, the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance continues to evoke diverse perspectives and remains a contentious issue in American society, reflecting the ongoing discourse surrounding national identity, religious freedom, and the separation of church and state.
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Court rulings have deemed the phrase both unconstitutional and constitutional
The Pledge of Allegiance has been a part of American life for generations, but it has also been a source of constitutional controversy. The original version of the pledge, created by Francis Bellamy in 1892, did not include the words "under God". The phrase was added to the Pledge in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill passed by Congress. This addition has been challenged in court several times, with rulings varying between unconstitutional and constitutional.
In 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "under God" was an unconstitutional endorsement of monotheism when promoted in public schools. This decision was made in a case brought by atheist Michael Newdow, whose daughter was being taught the Pledge in school. However, in 2004, the Supreme Court rejected Newdow's claim on the grounds that he was not the custodial parent and therefore lacked standing, avoiding a ruling on the merits of the phrase's constitutionality.
In contrast, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston affirmed a ruling in 2010 that the pledge's reference to God does not violate the rights of non-pledging students if participation is voluntary. Additionally, in 2015, New Jersey Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman dismissed a lawsuit, ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate the rights of those who don't believe in God and does not need to be removed. He stated that allowing the removal of the phrase "under God" from the Pledge would deem the Constitution itself unconstitutional, an "absurd proposition".
Despite these rulings, the debate over the constitutionality of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance continues. Some argue that requiring teachers to lead the Pledge with the inclusion of the phrase violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion. Others contend that the Pledge's primary purpose is to inspire patriotism and that participation is voluntary, making it constitutional. The Supreme Court has not provided a definitive ruling on the matter, leaving the issue open to ongoing interpretation and debate.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 during the Cold War.
The addition of "under God" was intended to distinguish the United States' beliefs from the atheistic ideology of the Soviet Union.
Yes, there have been several legal challenges and cultural debates regarding the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, particularly concerning the separation of church and state. Some people argue that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, while others defend it as constitutional and patriotic.
Yes, in 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "under God" was unconstitutional, but this decision was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004. The Supreme Court avoided directly addressing the church-state separation issue.
