Rethinking the Pledge of Allegiance

Supporters of having the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance rarely take critics' arguments very seriously. Perhaps it would help to emphasize the idea that the inclusion of this phrase effectively excludes a great many Americans, preventing them from honestly reciting it and making the final phrase inaccurate - or just dishonest.

Michael Seidman, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, writes:

The Pledge of Allegiance is the official, government-sanctioned method by which we affirm our connection to our country. But nonbelievers are prevented from taking the Pledge. The Pledge therefore defines them as outside of the American community, as people who cannot express their patriotism without violating their most profound beliefs. ... More than ever, it is important for all Americans to recognize our common commitment to American values.

It is our opponents, not us, who insist on narrow, sectarian creeds and exclude those who, in good conscience, cannot subscribe to them. Here in the United States, we are different. We are one nation, indivisible, committed to liberty and justice for all. “All” means all – and that includes nonbelievers as well as believers.

Will such an appeal work? I don’t know — it’s unclear that supporters of the current wording take “liberty and justice for all” as seriously as the importance of having our government endorse their religious beliefs. Probably can’t hurt to try, though.

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
• Church and State News
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Secularism 101