Should the words of the pledge of allegiance be changed to include or exclude any part?

I would go back to the pre-1954 version that did not include the phrase “under God.”

I say the same as @marinelife.

I also don’t really get it. Does saying words make a difference when it’s not what you really think? I know that, as a kid, whenever I said it, I was just saying words. In my mind I was thinking that it was ridiculous. My allegiance is to human kind, not the U.S.

I appreciate the U.S., and it does many things well, but it has it’s share of problems. I am not going to be a “my country, right or wrong” person. But then I’m not that kind of person, period. I can listen to people who say I’m wrong. I can hear the merit in people’s arguments even when it goes against what would be best for me. That best is only the short run. In the long run, it may be unwise to push for my current, immediate good.

I think that is the case with my country, too. So I won’t pledge allegiance to the flag or country because in my view, that is too limiting and I don’t believe my country is always right. My allegiance is to something larger, and I resent that my country’s pledge is so limited.

@wundayatta BRAVO WELL SAID! If I could I would click the Great Answer key 300 times!

Patriotic rituals lose their power when subjected to thoughtful reflection of their content and meaning.

It differs little from recital of prayers by those who do not consider their content or meaning.

Blind faith and blind patriotism are mechanical, ritual behaviours.

Throw the whole thing out.

@Dr_Lawrence Brilliantly put!

I agree with @marinelife . We are a pluralistic society. Atheists and agnostics should not have to affirm that their nation is “under God”, nor should those with polytheistic beliefs have to affirm in the singular. The pledge as it stands violates constitutional separation of Church and State, at least in spirit, as placing a reference to any deity in this pledge implies endorsement of religion. The state should be totally neutral in this area.

Canada added god to our national anthem some years ago. No one asked me.

As a little girl in the 70s in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades, for the first thing in class every morning, we were all to get up and recite the pledge. I remember the grim looks on my teachers’ faces when not one black child would stand to do this. It bothered my 3rd grade teacher the most. Mrs Cole reamed us out one day about how this country had done so much for “you people” and we were obligated to declare our patriotism! We just looked at her like she was nuts.

I don’t remember any students having to recite the pledge in school after 3rd grade.

Liberty and justice for all. Might as well get rid of that part, It’s a huge illusion that were free and have justice.

yeah, i agree, I don’t see why “under god” should be included. but at the same time i’m not gonna make a big stink about it. i said it when we had to say it during school. just because i don’t believe in god i wasn’t “offended” because i had to say two words regarding him.

more importantly, yeah, what @daytonamisticrip. Oscar Grant as a recent example, anyone?

This is how I feel. I don’t think that the pledge should include “under God” but since it does, I choose to ignore it. When I had to recite it, I would go silent at that part. I don’t see there being a problem with having that in the pledge until people are compelled to say it. Then, I believe the problem would have escalated beyond control.

I believe that “one nation under God” should not be in the pledge. The US is a country of many religions, and many people do not believe in God. It’s not fair that children are brainwashed into saying the pledge every day. It goes against the constitution, freedom of religion. How is religion our choice, when the pledge of allegience even assumes we believe in God?

I agree with @Simone_De_Beauvoir. If nothing else, the “under God” portion should be removed, but I don’t really understand the need for this pledge at all (and felt uncomfortable reciting it at school.)

@aprilsimnel What a horrible teacher. My mum has told me some horror stories about the racism back then, but from third-grade faculty? That’s disturbing.

Well, @muppetish, Wisconsin in those days, what can I tell you? They weren’t all like that, though. I think she herself was a bit nuts. She still dressed in 1977 as if it were still the Johnson administration ca. 1964 (when she probably graduated teachers’ college), big poofy hairdo, Joan Holloway Harris outfits and all, if that means anything. Poor dear.

I think it shouldn’t be changed.

I also think that only a few people shoould be able to sing it live – the ones with four octaves and better – and not every Roseanne or pseudo-celebrity who butchers it. Cringe

@zen_ i think you are confusing the pledge of allegience with the national anthom. the pledge of allegience is not sung.

^ True, I did. Sorry.

Delete “under God.”