Under God in the Pledge

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Should the words "under God" be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?

The Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892 for a magazine contest, and it read: "I Pledge Allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The Pledge became part of the US Flag Code in 1942, and in 1954 President Eisenhower and Congress added the phrase "under God” into the Pledge.

Proponents of including "under God" in the Pledge argue that the United States is a Christian nation, at least 80% of Americans support the phrase, the language reflects America’s civic culture and is not a religious statement, and federal law, state constitutions, and US currency already contain references to God.

Opponents contend that church and state should be kept strictly separate as the Founding Fathers intended. They argue that the Constitution protects minority rights against majority will, and that the words "under God" in the Pledge are a religious phrase and thus violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Under God in the Pledge ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that presents facts, studies, and pro and con statements on questions related to religion and the pledge of allegiance in the US.

Pros & Cons by Category

CORE QUESTION

Should the words "under God" be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?

The Founding Fathers

Who are the US Founding Fathers?

Is it valid to look to the intent of the Founding Fathers in determining whether the words "under God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Did the Founding Fathers say in their own words that religion should be in government?

Did the Founding Fathers support a separation of church and state?

Religion and the Founding of the US

How did religion influence the American colonies?

Was the U.S. founded "under God"?

Does the Declaration of Independence set a precedent for religion in government?

Religion and the State

Is the United States a Christian nation?

Is the United States a monotheistic (one God) state?

Which other governments have separation of church and state?

Pledge of Allegiance - Companion Address

What is the "Companion Address" that accompanied the publication of the first Pledge of Allegiance?

Majority Rule v. Minority Rights

Should the words "under God" remain in the Pledge if a majority of Americans want to keep it?

Pledge of Allegiance and the First Amendment

How does the First Amendment relate to the Pledge of Allegiance?

Does the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause?

What are some of the theories and Supreme Court tests used to analyze the religious clauses of the Constitution's First Amendment?

Pledge of Allegiance and US Law

Which US code regulates the Pledge of Allegiance and what does it say?

From a legal perspective, do the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance improperly endorse religion?

Does public school recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance constitute undue coercion?

Should the Pledge of Allegiance be removed from the jurisdiction of federal courts?

Pledge of Allegiance and Religion

Do the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance improperly endorse religion?

Is the Pledge of Allegiance a religious exercise?

References to God in US Currency

When and why was "In God We Trust" placed on US currency?

Should "In God We Trust" be removed from US currency?

References to God in Court and Presidential Oaths

Why can one pledge to tell the truth "under God" (or affirm) in court?

Should the US President say "so help me God" with a hand on the Bible when taking office?

References to God in US Code

What are the references to God in the US Code?

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Last updated on 5/8/2013 3:34:57 PM PST