Why Does the Pledge of Allegiance Include the Words “Under God”?

The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns the addition of the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Fred Lucas at The Daily Signal considered it to be “both a spiritual and strategic move” for President Dwight D. Eisenhower to sign this bill, on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. I was nine years old when this change took place, and I remember the change.

“From this day forward, the millions of our schoolchildren will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty,” the president said upon signing the bill….

“To anyone who truly loves America, nothing could be more inspiring than to contemplate this rededication of our youth, on each school morning, to our country’s true meaning,” he continued.

This event was included in “The Soul of an American President: The Untold Story of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Faith,” written by Alliance Defending Freedom founder and former President Alan Sears and two co-authors, Craig Osten and Ryan Cole. It “details how faith was important to the 34^th president well before he entered the White House.

“In World War II, he saw the concentration camps and it shook him to his core,” Osten told the Daily Signal. “He was convinced this is where a godless society ends up. He also looked at what was happening in the Soviet Union and the destruction of their churches.”

During the bill-signing remarks, Eisenhower made a subtle reference to the Cold War. “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future. In this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons, which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource, in peace or in war,” Eisenhower said.

Critics of the bill have dismissed it as a geostrategic move to claim the moral high ground against the Soviets.

Osten stressed it was much more than that for Eisenhower.

“He looked at what was different about America. He believed the Soviet Union’s weak link was that it was an atheistic society,” Osten said. “it’s not that he was using religion as a weapon, but he did want to remind America of its spiritual roots.”

Osten added the president “wanted to make sure America didn’t drift the way Russia and Germany did.”

After the bill-signing ceremony, the former Supreme Allied commander met with an American Legion gathering at the Capitol, where he and the others recited the pledge with the newly added words “under God.”

As for the pledge itself, it had quite a journey before Eisenhower’s monumental act.

The first version of the pledge, which skipped from “… one nation indivisible …” was interestingly enough written by Baptist minister Francis Bellamy in 1892 to mark the 400^th anniversary of the discovery of North America by Christopher Columbus….

It was during World War II, on June 22, 1942, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially recognized the pledge in signing the U.S. Flag code.

It was well after the war, in 1951, that the Catholic group Knights of Columbus resolved to call on Congress to add the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Rep. Louis Rabaut, D-Mich., introduced legislation adding the words to the pledge; the measure then passed both the House and Senate.

Though Catholics initiated the effort, Protestants weren’t far behind.

It was well after the war, in 1951, that the Catholic group Knights of Columbus resolved to call on Congress to add the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Rep. Louis Rabaut, D-Mich., introduced legislation adding the words to the pledge; the measure then passed both the House and Senate.

Though Catholics initiated the effort, Protestants weren’t far behind….

Almost two months after the Flag Day bill signing, Eisenhower wrote a letter of gratitude to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart.

“And this year we are particularly thankful to you for your part in the movement to have the words ‘under God’ added to our Pledge of Allegiance,” Eisenhower wrote in the Aug. 6, 1954, letter. “These words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded.”

Pledge and Patriotism

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution is the connection between children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and patriotism. The topic is in the news because a waiver from an elementary school in Florida was posted on Facebook. The waiver form gave parents the opportunity to opt their child out of “standing and placing his/her right hand over his/her heart” and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. A child’s uncle posted the waiver on Facebook and asked, “What is happening in our country?” Florida has given children an opportunity to opt out of the pledge since 2000, which means the uncle is just becoming aware of the problem.

                Jarrett Stepman at The Daily Signal writes that “the casual and increasingly dismissive treatment of even simple patriotic acts is a symptom of deeper trends in American society. The decline of patriotism in American life will lead to profound crisis for the world’s youngest civilization – which has been fortunate enough to maintain one of the oldest, and certainly the greatest, of political systems.”

                Stepman further reports that “only 53 percent of adults are `extremely proud’ to be Americans” according to a June Gallup poll. This is a decline of 17 percent since 2003 with the numbers “dragged down in particular by millennials.” He says that these “steadily declining numbers, more than economic malaise or any other factor demonstrate the current fragility unity of the world’s greatest superpower.”

                The rising generation apparently is not as patriotic as their parents and grandparents. I believe this loss of patriotism starts in the schools where more and more liberals and progressives have control of our children for five or more hours each day, five days each week, nine months out of the year. The simple fact that a school sends waivers to parents with the opportunity to opt their child out of saying the Pledge of Allegiance indicates the size of the problem in our society.

                Stepman continues, “The flippant way in which patriotism is being cast aside in this country makes it vital that Americans attempt to restore patriotic sentiment and understanding of the nation’s traditions for current and future generations. Leaders capable of articulating what has made America unique are necessary, as is a public that has a keen understanding of what ideas are at the cornerstone of the republic.”

                One suggestion by Stepman to restore patriotism to our children is following the example of South Carolina, which has a “new law requiring students to study the founding documents” of our nation. I believe students should be required to take a civics class in middle school or high school. I also believe children should be taught the importance of memorizing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance as well as honoring military and veterans. The best way we can teach patriotism is by personal example. Do you love the United States of America? How do you show your love?

Pledge of Allegiance

                How do you feel about the Pledge of Allegiance?  Does it both you that words have been added to the original pledge?  Do you like it as it is or would you like to change it?  The American Humanist Association is on a mission to remove “under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance because they believe that the current wording “marginalizes atheists, agnostics, humanists and other nontheists because it presents them as less patriotic, simply because they do not believe in God.”  

                The American Humanist Association claims that thirty-four percent of Americans support removing “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance according to a survey commissioned through the research firm Seidewitz Group.  This percentage is very different from a recent survey by a Christian group. 

                The atheist group believe the difference came about because of a key difference in how the questioned was posed.  Instead of simply asking if the phrase should be removed, the survey gave some background about the issue.

                “For its first 62 years, the Pledge of Allegiance did not include the phrase `under God.  During the Cold War, in 1954, the phrase `one nation indivisible’ was changed to read `one nation, under God, indivisible.’  Some people feel this phrase in our national pledge should focus on unity rather than religion.”

                Then the survey respondents were asked if the United States should continue with the “changed version” or revert to the former version.

                A survey from LifeWay Research, a Christian polling firm, simply asked the question, “Should the words `under God’ be removed from or remain in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America?”  The survey found that most Americans have no problem with the current wording with 85 percent voting to keep pledge as it is and 8 percent wanting to change it.

                I was nine years old when the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.  I remember feeling the tension coming from the Communist threat to our liberty.  The pledge was changed in response to that threat.  Under the encouragement of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Congress added the words “under God” to the pledge.  I remember feeling excitement and wonder at the addition.

                The addition of “under God” did not take place quickly.  “Louis A. Bowman, an attorney from Illinois, was the first to initiate the addition of `under God’ to the Pledge.  The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution gave him an Award of Merit as the originator of this idea.  He spent his adult life in the Chicago area and was Chaplain of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.  At a meeting on February 12, 1948, Lincoln’s Birthday, he led the Society in swearing the Pledge with two words added, `under God.’  He stated that the words came from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  Though not all manuscript versions of the Gettysburg Address contain the words `under God’, all the reporters’ transcripts of the speech as delivered do as perhaps Lincoln may have deviated from his prepared text and inserted the phrase when he said `that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom.’  Bowman repeated his revised version of the Pledge at other meetings.”  

                The Knights of Columbus in New York City began including the words “under God” in April 1951.  Over the next two years nationwide organizations of the Knights of Columbus adopted the practice.  At its annual meeting on August 21, 1952, the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution to add the wording and sent copies of their resolution to the President, the Vice President (as Presiding Officer of the Senate) and the Speaker of the House.  Other organizations and individuals joined the campaign to convince Congress to adopt the change for the entire nation.  Representative Louis C. Rabaut (D-Mich.) sponsored a resolution to add the words “under God” to the Pledge in 1953 after a correspondent suggested it.

                No attempt to amend the Pledge was successful prior to February 1954.  “On February 7, 1954, with President Eisenhower sitting in Lincoln’s pew, the church’s pastor, George MacPherson Docherty, delivered a sermon based on the Gettysburg Address titled `A New Birth of Freedom.’  He argued that the nation’s might lay not in arms but its spirit and higher purpose.  He noted that the Pledge’s sentiments could be those of any nation, that `there was something missing in the pledge, and that which was missing was the characteristic and definitive factor in the American way of life.”  He cited Lincoln’s words “under God” as defining words that set the United States apart from other nations.

                President Eisenhower had recently become Presbyterian and “responded enthusiastically to Docherty in a conversation following the service.  Eisenhower acted on his suggestion the next day and on February 8, 1954, Rep. Charles Oakman (R-Mich.), introduced a bill to that effect.  Congress passed the necessary legislation and Eisenhower signed the bill into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.”

                Eisenhower stated, “From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty….  In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource, in peace or in war.”

                A Joint Resolution of Congress amended the Flag Code to incorporate the phrase “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance on

June 14, 195.

                It appears to me that atheists will not be satisfied until they have taken God entirely out of public life.  We have seen what happened in our schools when prayer was forbidden there.  I wonder if they have any idea of what will happen to our nation when God is completely erased from our nation.  At least two other nations lived on the American continent and prosper while they worshipped the God of the land who is Jesus Christ.  Each of them became so wicked after erasing God from their lives that the entire nation was destroyed!  I do not believe that our nation will be completely destroyed, but I do believe we will see some very rough times.  I hope you and I are prepared to survive them!

Pledge of Allegiance

                    Families, communities and nations are strengthened when we as parents, grandparents, teachers, and other leaders model patriotism when saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  Our children and youth must be taught proper respect for the flag of the United States and given the opportunity to experience patriotic feelings.  The Pledge of Allegiance is a statement of patriotism and can help our children and youth learn about the greatness of the United States of America.

                    There are only thirty-one words in the Pledge of Allegiance, but those words carry great meaning and can be recited with or without much feeling.  When we recite the words as quickly as possible just to do it, we dishonor the flag.  When we repeat the words with patriotic feelings, we show our love for the flag and for the nation it represents.  "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." 

I learned those words when I was very small.  I was probably too young and too naïve to understand what the words really mean, but I committed them to memory and can now repeat them without even thinking about what I am saying.  I believe that the words are nearly meaningless to many people in our nation today.

Do we understand the significance of the words contained in the Pledge of Allegiance?  Do we even consider the price our Founders paid to establish independence and to organize this nation?  Do we think about the brave men and women who willingly stand between you and I in defense of our lives, families and property?

                    Some people may wonder why we pledge allegiance to a piece of cloth.  Yes, our flag is just a piece of cloth, but that piece of cloth represents America's values, her traditions, her history, her heritage, her majesty, her nobility, her compassion, and her humility. We pledge allegiance to all that the flag represents.

The flag of the United States of America is known by several names, among which are Old Glory, the Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Stripes with the Stars and Stripes being the most popular name for the red, white and blue flag.

                    The colors of our flag stand for our land, our people, our government and our ideals. The flag of our nation stirs patriots to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice. Our flag - as well as the flags of all nations - should be treated with respect at all times. People who burn flags or desecrate them in other ways are rude and without proper manners or knowledge. There are many, many and much better ways to show opposition than to burn a nation's flag.

                    June 14 is known as Flag Day in the United States, a day we celebrate because the flag known as the Stars and Stripes was formally adopted as the official flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.  Flag Day was first officially observed in 1877 on the centennial anniversary of the selection of the flag, but it was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.

                    A true patriot loves liberty, defends faith, promotes unity, protects democracy, champions peace, and guards those things considered sacred.  When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, we commit to every part of America - her awe, her compassion, her heritage, her history, her humility, her majesty, her nobility, her principles, her traditions, and her values.

I - an individual, one person, a committee of one:  The Pledge of Allegiance starts out with  I  - not we, not you, not they but I - meaning Me, Myself, I.   The word I is a very personal pronoun and is the first-person singular.  I am the first person I must consider when I pledge allegiance to anything.  I am responsible for my contribution.  I am accountable for my participation.  I am answerable for my diligence.  I hold myself individually responsible for supporting our government, for honoring our traditions, for protecting our heritage.  I must examine myself to determine my courage, my willingness, my allegiance.  The Pledge of Allegiance starts out very personally.

PLEDGE - commit, covenant, promise, vow:  Someone suggested in 1892 that school children recite this vow of allegiance for some special occasion.  It was to be a one-time recital, but it ended up becoming a patriotic tradition - a tradition that is a part of the very fiber of Americans.  By learning the Pledge of Allegiance as very young children, we learned that our flag stood for something important - freedom.

I do personally and solemnly promise…

ALLEGIANCE - my duty, my devotion, my obligation, my fidelity, my loyalty:  The Declaration of Independence ends with these familiar words:  "And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Each man who signed the Declaration pledged "my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor," and what did they pledge these valuables for?  Freedom!

I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor….

TO THE FLAG - banner, ensign, standard, symbol:  Our majestic flag has faithfully flown over us for our entire lives.  That flag stands for America!  It stands for the freedom, the compassion, and the goodness of Americans.  It is just a piece of cloth with some stars and stripes on it - but those stars and stripes proclaim the glory, the compassion, and the strength of the American way of life.  The flag was raised as soon as possible on Iwo Jima during World War II to indicate that our American soldiers had taken control of that island.  The flag was raised at Ground Zero to indicate that America still had glory, compassion and strength.

I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy…

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - The nation sometimes called simply America is a united group of states - the United States. Our nation can be compared to a gigantic puzzle; it was put together piece by piece or state by state.  Each state has an entity of its own, but each state is part of a whole.

We are the United States of America.  This is our identity.  We are one with one heart and one mind.  We are free because we are united.  We are united in desiring the blessings of freedom for all mankind.

We, the people of the United States, are a powerfully united entity - and the entire civilized world recognizes the strength of our solidarity.  Our unity is known by those who applaud us as well as by those who despise us.

Following 9/11, President George W. Bush stated:  In the normal course of events, presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the Union.  Tonight, no such report is needed.  It has already been delivered by the American people….  My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union - and it is strong.

I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America….

AND TO THE REPUBLIC - a group of states, a commonwealth:

                    A republic is described as a nation or state in which the citizens elect representatives to manage the government.  Our Founding Fathers had the outrageous idea that men and women could govern themselves, and they fought for eight long years for the opportunity to prove they were right.  Another seven long years passed before they completed the Constitution of the United States. 

                    With this Constitution, our Founders organized a government that would protect our God-given rights.  They intentionally gave us a republic and not a democracy because they knew that democracies were not long-lasting.  They wanted this nation to last as long as possible and gave us a republic and the responsibility to keep it.

                    A democracy works well with a small group of people where each person can vote as they will.  A republic is capable of governing an ever-increasing number of people.  Our nation began with thirteen states and maybe three million people.  It now has fifty states and more than 300 million people - and the republican type of government could handle even more states and people.  Our government has remained basically the same since its beginning because it is a republic and not a democracy.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic….

FOR WHICH IT STAND - THE NATION IT REPRESENTS:

                    Americans have fought wars since the beginning of our nation, but most of those wars have been fought on foreign soil.  Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and brought the United States into World War II.  Many battles were fought, and many Americans lost their lives in that war, but their families and homes were far from the battlegrounds. 

On February 23, 1945, four years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, six marines climbed to the top of Mount Suribachi.  Working together shoulder to should, they carried a flag and a piece of drainage pipe weighing over one hundred pounds.  Their desire was to show the world that United States of America controlled the island of Iwo Jima.  When the victorious troops at the bottom of the mountain saw the flag flapping valiantly in the wind, they erupted in cheers.  The sight of the United States flag flying over that island brought hope as well as a willingness to go forward in their battle for liberty.

                    Fifty-six years later terrorists flew airliners into the Twin Towers in New York City.  Three brave firemen worked shoulder to shoulder to lift a huge flag pole in order to let Old Glory signal to the world that the American people were here and willing to fight again for justice and liberty for all.

                    The actions of these nine men - on two separate occasions - demonstrate the importance of the flag as a symbol that our nation still stands.  When we pledge allegiance to the flag we make a solemn vow to do as these men did - proclaim the principles and values of our nation.  This flag beckons all who desire freedom and opportunity.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents….

ONE NATION:

                    The United States covers much more geography than many of the 180+ nations of the world and its landscapes and cultures are diverse.  In fact, our nation probably has more diversity in it than any other nation in the world.  We are people from across the world who have come to America to enjoy our freedoms and opportunities.  We have different ideas and goals for our nation, and sometimes we argue and contend with each other; however, when we are tested by terrorism, tragedy or war or tried by betrayal or invasion, we quickly forget our differences and become united against our enemies.  We stand united as one nation.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation….

UNDER GOD:

                    The phrase "under God" was added to our Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 when our leaders recognized that Communists were attempting to take over our government.  I was about nine years old and remember when that change was made.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States at that time, and he made the following statement:  "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

                    The United States was settled because the Puritans and Pilgrims were searching for a place where they could practice their Christian religions in freedom.  The second verse of the Declaration of Independence states:  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…."

                    George Washington stated, "It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States…."

                    Our nation is a Christian nation that was founded on Christian principles and values.  Jesus Christ is the God of this land and will protect us as long as we serve Him and keep His commandments.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation under the God of this land who is Jesus Christ….

INDIVISIBLE - indissoluble, inseparable, cannot be divided:

                    Our nation fought for four long years in the Civil War to prove the point that no state or group of states can leave the Union.  Just as many married people have discovered, it is easier to be united than it is to stay united.  The unity of a marriage depends on the integrity of the two people involved in the marriage.  The indivisibility of our nation depends on the integrity in the lives of our citizens and depends on our individual resolve to stay together.

                    The class warfare currently taking place in our nation - and seemingly encouraged by Barach Obama - is a thinly disguised attempt to destroy our unity and divide the people from within our borders.  No foreign enemy will ever destroy the United States because we become more united when attacked.  We the people of the United States understand that we are stronger as we stand together.

                    It is our individual integrity - doing our duty in our homes, churches, schools, communities, and workplaces - that keeps our nation strong.  The United States was founded on faith in God, passion for independence and liberty, and love of mankind.  As we remember those important founding principles and return to our roots, our nation will remain indivisible.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation under the God of this land who is Jesus Christ, inseparable….

WITH LIBERTY - freedom , independence, lack of restraint, the condition of being free from captivity, imprisonment or slavery:

                    While in our pre-earth life, we each were granted the gift of agency - the power to choose for ourselves.  Each of us brought this gift with us to earth, and each of us has that desire for to be free to choose, to be independent, and to enjoy the blessings of liberty.  When foreign enemies threaten us with tyranny and terrorism or internal enemies threaten us with civil unrest, we lift our banners to show our willingness to fight for the cause of liberty.

                    The great patriot Patrick Henry said it best when he said, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God!  I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation under the God of this land who is Jesus Christ, inseparable, with freedom from captivity, imprisonment or slavery….

AND JUSTICE - fairness, rightness, correctness:

                    The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution begins:  "WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice…."  The Founders of our nation wanted to form a government that would provide equal justice for all.  Every American citizen has the right to be protected as to life, liberty, and property and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

                    The government establishes and protects justice when it "protects the rights of its people and provides an adequate remedy for those whose rights have been violated, then that government is providing equal justice for all.

                    "Justice requires an opportunity and a place to complain of an injury as well as the machinery to provide a remedy.  For the accused, justice requires the opportunity to hear and understand the charge, cross-examine those who are making the charge, have a fair and speedy trial, and have an opportunity to repair the wrong if found guilty" (W. Cleon Skousen in The Making of America - The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution, p 239).

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation under the God of this land who is Jesus Christ, inseparable, with freedom from captivity, imprisonment or slavery and fairness….

FOR ALL - every single one of us:

                    When we pledge our allegiance to the flag, we make a solemn promise that we will further the cause of liberty and justice for all.  We do not wish to keep these blessings for ourselves alone but desire to spread independence and freedom throughout the world and into all nations.

                    The Pledge of Allegiance begins with "I" and ends with "all".  The individual must be loyal to the cause of liberty and work to preserve freedom for the whole of us.  The individual must work for unity in order than we may all be strong.  The individual must work for liberty and justice for the benefit of all Americans.  We individually promise to pursue liberty and justice for all.

                    I do personally and solemnly promise my life, my loyalty, and my sacred honor to the ensign of democracy - the flag of the United States of America - and to the group of states known as our Republic that it represents, one united nation under the God of this land who is Jesus Christ, unable to be divided, with freedom from captivity, imprisonment or slavery and fairness for every single one of us.

                    My statement explaining the words in the Pledge of Allegiance contains fifty-one words.  In their statement, the author(s) of the Pledge of Allegiance brought many ideas together in fewer words - thirty-one.  I must admit that I like their statement the best - but my statement makes me think deeper.  I am grateful to be a citizen of the United States and to enjoy the promises of liberty and justice.  I am also grateful to D. K. Webb who wrote the book I Pledge Allegiance and for the inspiring thoughts contained within the book.  This book is the foundation of my essay.

                    The world has changed greatly since I was a child.  I grew up in a nation that remembered World War II and the battles fought for freedom.  Leaders and teachers in all areas of my life taught me that I lived in a wonderful nation and was blessed to be an American.

One of the greatest changes over the past years has occurred in Hollywood. Hollywood stars and movies were very patriotic in my childhood and youth as you can see from the following videos, but the stars of today and their movies seem to simply destroy what our Founders established for us.  Compare of the stars of today with the stars of yesterday by watching John Wayne and Red Skelton reciting the pledge of allegiance. How many of our movie and television stars have you seen recently showing such patriotism?

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.

Our Republic

On this Freedom Friday, the topic of discussion is republics. Our pledge of allegiance highlights the form of government in the United States - "I pledge allegiance to the flag Of the United States of America And to the Republic For which it [the flag] stands…."

The Founders desired to set up a Republic for numerous reasons. A pure democracy works well in smaller groups where the masses of people can fully participate in decisions and rules, but democracies become problematic in large groups. The Founders were well aware of the deficiencies of a democracy as evidenced by the following quote by Fisher Ames: "The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be, liberty" (Speech in the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788).

A democracy becomes inefficient and unwieldy in a large population, but a republic can be expanded indefinitely because it governs through representatives. Because our Founders set up our government as a democratic republic, the same Constitution could govern 3,000 or 300,000 or 300 million people. This is the reason why our Constitution has withstood all the attacks on it while the constitutions of many other nations have been changed repeatedly in the same period of time.

James Madison defined a republic as follows: "We may define a republic to be … a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure for a limited period or during good behavior. It is essential to such a government that it be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion or a favored class of it; otherwise a handful of tyrannical nobles, exercising their oppressions by a delegation of their powers, might aspire to the rank of republicans and claim for their government the honorable title of republic" (quoted by W. Cleon Skousen in The Five Thousand Year Leap, p 114).

This statement proved to be prophetic when tyrannical governments such as the Communist People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) began to call themselves republics.

Over the past six weeks, many people in nations across the Middle East and northern Africa have marched in protests to their governments. The chant has been "give us a democracy." They do not understand that a democracy can be as evil as an authoritarian government simply by manipulating the vote of the majority. A democratic republic is much different than just a democracy, and our republic has proved the test for well over 200 years!

Stars Recite Pledge

The world has changed greatly since I was a child, and one of the greatest changes occurred in Hollywood. Hollywood stars and movies were very patriotic in my childhood and youth, but the stars and movies of today seem to simply want to tear our nation down. For a simple comparison of the stars of today to the stars of yesterday, check out John Wayne and Red Skelton reciting the pledge of allegiance. How many of our movie and television stars would do the same today?