Under God in the Pledge
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Last updated on: 1/30/2009 9:06:00 AM PST

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

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  • +4 +10 -6 Atheist Friend Apr. 15, 2013
    "I'm an atheist and think that many people over react to the words "Under God". I think there are many admiral qualities religion in America has to offer even those without a belief in God. I am trying to be tolerant of my Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other friends just as they have been tolerant of me and my ideals. I personal don't feel insulted by the inclusion of those words. I also don't think they are meant to combine the words "believer" and "patriot". I say the pledge just like any other God fearing American would even though I don't have the faith in a higher being that my friends have. I think that for atheists God can be translated into, possibly, a higher purpose or a set of ideals that better us without the need for a particular religion. I just hope that everyone in America can get along, stop being offended by every little thing, and stop fighting over such a silly debate."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "And not a single one of those admirable qualities require religion to achieve; recall also that some of the nation's most heinous acts were justified with religion: slavery, genocide of the natives (manifest destiny), the Ku Klux Klan, anti-homosexuality laws, Prohibition. There is no virtuous quality whatsoever that cannot be achieved without religion. The only reason that Christianity in the West today is more "moderate" is because it was dragged against its will into civilisation by the Enlightenment. In places where that has not happened yet, it is still fine to burn children as witches, governments are still considering the death penalty for homosexuality, &c, in the name of the putatively "good" morals promulgated by religious zeal,."
    • 0 0 0 Ron Malibu May. 2, 2013
      "Way to quote 3 Abrahamic monotheistic religions which back up your thoughts. Have you considered the polytheistic religions too?"
    • 0 +1 -1 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "you sir/madam are not athiest lol nice try tho hi im christian and i think ppl shud worship satan? did u believe me? yea thot not"
  • +3 +26 -23 Russell Feb. 28, 2013
    "Yes, Under god should certainly be in the Pledge. This was a christian nation when we started. Most people misinterpret the phrase freedom of religion. Back then there was only one religion and that was christian so freedom of christian religion to be catholic baptist etc... Think people It is mandatory."
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    • +3 +3 0 Christopher Apr. 24, 2013
      "There were far more religions than just one in practice "back then"--not to mention the division between deism and theism during this time. The United States was never a Christian nation, it was secular. If you want an example of a "Christian nation," look to England in the past where the Head of State was also the Head of the Church. It's for this reason that the framer's were influenced to write this clause into the constitution."
    • +3 +5 -2 Ryan Apr. 8, 2013
      "Um, it is so NOT mandatory."
  • +1 +27 -26 April Bean Mar. 5, 2012
    "I am for the "under God" in the US pledge of Allegiance because this is what our country is based on and I believe that if we don't get back to stand point in our country then there is honestly going to be no hope for America."
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    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "good point maybe we should take away your religios freedom the exact way your attempting to do to us"
  • 0 0 0 derek May. 14, 2013
    "These words are a part of our society and have been so since long before any of us was ever born. So why do people wish to change it? I cannot answer this, but i do know that i wish for things to change in a way to help society instead of fighting amongst ourselves. We as citizens should fix America not split it apart!"
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  • 0 +4 -4 Brandon Apr. 17, 2013
    "This nation could not and would not be here without a God. England was one of the strongest countries in the world at the time of the revolution. There is no possible way that a few rebels could beat a world power and become their own country. Our forefathers knew God. Our forefathers knew that God had helped them and would continue to bless this country so they decided to put God into several things including the Constitution and our Pledge of Allegiance. This is one nation, and it is still under God."
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    • +1 +1 0 Christopher Apr. 24, 2013
      "Actually, there are several accountable reasons as to why England lost control of the American colonies, ending in their independence. They were one of the strongest countries at the time, the title of the strongest is highly debatable. Their resources were vastly depleted thanks to their long arms and multiple military ventures at the time. The country was running on credit from their trading empire and lacked the financial resources to replenish their debts. The colonies were vastly separated in distance from their center of power. The American colonies were not alone in their fight for independence, France was instrumental in securing their victory (the dutch and spanish also played a minor role). The local British forces relied on Hessians to stretch their military influence within the American colonies, this proved to be a major mistake in their campaign. And also, the appeal to freedom came from free thinkers during the age of enlightenment, not from God. Movements from contemporary writers at the time is the largest influence of the constitution."
    • 0 0 0 Matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "actually england wasn't however the dark ages and the massive murders that took place are a direct blame to christianity as a whole. This country was founded upon freedom and that insludes religious freedom. think of it from our point of view, how would you feel if 80% of the nation were islamic or muslim and adopted sharia law, and we also forced you to pledge your faith in that god in our nation's pledge or paganism? does that sound free to you?
      it clearly does not I respect your religion and your right to worship whom you please and even you as a person however I do not respect you pushing religion on to others. and personally it should by legally required that religion NOT be practiced until a person is at a certain age (10 or 12?)

      In justice, too, to our excellent Constitution, it ought to be observed, that it has not placed our religious rights under the power of any public functionary.
      - Thomas Jefferson"
  • 0 0 0 Ryan Apr. 17, 2013
    "God does not mean just the christian god it means the god that you or whoever beleives in but if you dont beleive in god then that is your choice but I beleive that it should stay this countrywas pretty much founded for god."
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    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "soo 18% of the nation (athiest) are secondary citizens and should not have religious freedom?"
  • 0 +15 -15 Bruce Jan. 4, 2013
    "If you don't wanna say "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance you don't need to say it but know this we are all born and raised in a society where religion is free and adapted to everyone's point of view. So if you don't wanna say "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance don't say it period."
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    • +1 +1 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "it was rewritten to that standard, what is so wrong with wanting out nations pledge to be the original state we are not a christian nation, should not be recognized as such either, we have made it for a very long time and proudly like to be recognized as a free nation how is it free if were not willing to show we are tolerant towards other religions if our pledge says god, we cant it shows a favorance toward the christian faith and shows that if you are not a christian you are considered a 2nd class citizen"
  • 0 +48 -48 Justin Oct. 18, 2012
    ""If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan"
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    • +1 +6 -5 James Nov. 14, 2012
      "What do you have against Australia?"
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "a quote from a better man in our history

      Thomas Jefferson
      "I have examined all the known superstitions of the world and I do not find
      in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They
      are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men,
      women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been
      burnt, tortured, fined, and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this
      coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to
      support roguery and error all over the earth.""
    • -2 +2 -4 Grumpy Jan. 26, 2013
      "i'm not convinced that quoting one of the worst presidents in our history is the best way to make your case here."
  • 0 +30 -30 john doe Feb. 9, 2012
    "of course it should stay, we built this nation in the sight of god and christianity, just because we include under god, in the pledge doesnt mean the government is trying to push religion on people, they created the pledge and hasnt been an issue until people became somehow sensititve, it is not big deal that they include it."
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    • +6 +6 0 Charles Nov. 25, 2012
      "Many of our founders were not Christians. They were diests, Unitarians, and Universalists."
    • -2 0 -2 Sulster Apr. 1, 2013
      "Charles, and yet they used federal government builds on Sunday to hold services. They may have not been of the Christian faith but they did not fight it either it seems."
  • 0 +64 -64 Evelyn Macias Sep. 25, 2011
    "This phrase completely overthrows what the Constitution states. it's completely segregtional and shows disrespect to those who are athiest and/or do not have Christian beliefs. Some may take it lightly, but the Pledge of Alligence is not solemly generalized to those who believe in God, but also to those American Citizens."
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    • +3 +3 0 Karl Nov. 14, 2012
      "How would removing a Christian phrase be insulting atheists? Removing two words from the pledge would not change it's symbolism, it would only widen the audience."
    • -3 +1 -4 i believe what you say but Apr. 16, 2012
      "i belive what you say but people now a days are unbiased little creeps who want to be in the 99% and want to be told what they do even if they deny it. Truth is the people who voted to change it were probably paid for their vote or something that if there was a vote for it no body will probably care enough to vote or the churchs would say vote for it to the same and thats how that would end"
  • -1 +1 -2 Tommy May. 12, 2013
    "Im all for keeping God in the plegde In God We Trust is in our Courts & on our $$$$$ for a loooooong time Why undo it ?There were always atheists & they shouldnt have to join in"
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  • -1 +14 -15 Jenna Wiggins Nov. 14, 2012
    "This is what is wrong with America today. We are so worried about because we say "Merry Christmas" or "under God" in the Pledge that it automatically means that were attacking every non believer. Last time i checked america was unified because of everyones differences, because we could set aside those differences and take a stand on what TRULY matters. Guess IM WRONG! so so sad to know that america has become so materialistic and brainwashed by all the so called "individualism" that we forgot how to stand TOGETHER. I believe this is the most the country has been seperated since the Civil War. So So sad."
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    • +2 +2 0 Highschool atheist Nov. 16, 2012
      "If you are united and set aside our differences then we SHOULD take out the "under god" other wise your views are imposing over mine. If it was truly equal it would have to make a reference to every religion. Which is why religion should be left completely out of government because it is impossible to appease every religion. So yes you are wrong. Very very wrong."
    • +1 +1 0 Jenna Wiggins Nov. 16, 2012
      "Whether we take out "under God" or not it will still mean the same thing when it was written. A pledge of your alliegence to your country. You are missing the entire point of what i just said. This is not about whether God is in our pledge or not. Nobody is holding a gun to anyones head forcing them to say Under God. Yes, a few people may get truly offended but it is mostly people digging around to find something wrong to GRIPE about when there is still so much important things to DISCUSS. Next thing you know people will be suing other people for merely saying merry christmas or you have a blessed day. Ive seen that one happen with my own eyes. People need to look past their own problems and look at the big picture. America is slowly falling apart and were just gonna keep letting it because our religion is so fragile. No two words in our pledge is gonna shake anyones reliligion. and if it does, then that is your own personal issue to deal with in private. Why should we change what helped to create this nation just because people believe the govenment are "brainwashing" their kids bc Under God is in our pledge. TIME TO GROW UP."
    • 0 0 0 anonymous Feb. 23, 2013
      "AMEN! Great point! Merry Christmas and God Bless You! Was America or was America not founded because pilgrims wanted religious freedom to be Christian?"
    • 0 0 0 Pablo Jan. 24, 2013
      "As said by Abraham Lincoln "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." These "changes" will lead to this"
  • -1 +15 -16 Shane Aug. 29, 2012
    "If we can't say "under God" in th pledge, then Lee Greenwood shouldn't have been allowed to say "God bless the U.S.A." in his song "Proud To Be an American" nor should the song "God bless America" have been written. If certain people are gonna raise a stink about one song, why not have "In God We Trust" removed from all currency. Look up the song "America Again" by Carmen and read the lyrics. He talks about american history and where America is headed if things don't change. Granted there are unbelievers, but even I have heard that some have at least taken interest and that is good start. Heaven and Earth may fall away, but the word of God abides forever."
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    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Lee Greenwood was a private citizen writing a piece of music that was not enforced on the whole populace by the power of law. Lee Greenwood was perfectly within his rights to believe that his idea of God blesses the USA. That is not the same as the government saying you must swear an oath (which is what the pledge is) with the force of law about a particular religious view. This is not a difficult concept, but seems to ofttimes be missing in this debate: private citizens may hold whatever religious view they wish, the government may not endorse any religious view, lest the government be seen as endorsing a particular view with the power of the State. Christians in the XVIII Century understood this, which is why we have a I Amendment that keeps government out of religion. Where was that understanding lost in our history? When the Knights of Columbus (a Catholic organisation) pressed for "in God we Trust" be placed on the money and in the Pledge, it was to advance a Roman Catholic agenda with the power of the State, not an American agenda (the right to worship as one chooses - or not)."
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "lee greenwood isn't requiring it to be and word of the nation or requiring other people to say so, he is merely stating his persional message and personal opinion, your opinion is a little off."
    • 0 0 0 Mark Apr. 14, 2013
      "It's different when your declaring an oath of allegiance vs singing song lyrics. And a government can't force you to declare allegiance towards god. There's no reason for it to be n there and no our founding fathers belived religion had nothing to do with government."
  • -1 +21 -22 Colleen Dec. 5, 2011
    "I am not bothered by "under God" but by the highfalutin christians that do not realize that phrase was NEVER in the original pledge - it was not added until 1954. So stop being so pompous and do not offend my parents and grandparents who NEVER used "under God" when they said the pledge. Let it stay, but know the history of the Cold War and fear of communism."
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  • -1 +36 -37 Bo Sep. 22, 2011
    "Its apart of the pledge. You are not required to say it. And if you don't want to say it, DON'T! People are really making a huge deal because the pledge says "Under God" Well if you don't agree with it don't say it. It should'nt be changed for a few athiest out there. If they take it out its going to make a lot more people mad then angry."
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    • +4 +4 0 Octopus Oct. 16, 2011
      "Actually, in many schools children DO have to say the pledge every day. I'm sorry, but to say that you don't have to say the pledge is not a good argument. The pledge is part of national pride and patriotism, and therefore should include everyone's beliefs. Although you say that the majority does believe in God, the whole point of the Constitution was to protect the minority from oppression of the majority. If putting "under God" is not exclusion and oppression, then I don't know what is."
    • +2 +3 -1 Dominic Sep. 30, 2011
      "I respect your opinion, and I agree that people shouldn't throw a fit over something, but it's not just "a few atheists." It's a few atheists, agnostics, and everyone of a religion that doesn't believe in God. With respect, what you've just stated is (roughly, mind you) "There are more people who support 'Under God'. That means the minority doesn't matter".

      That is *not* what the founders had in mind.

      You know the filibuster? That was created to prevent exactly that from happening in Congress. Being in the majority doesn't make you right, or more important than the minorities who oppose you."
    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "I presume then you have never heard of peer pressure, or what happens when you treat people as "septarate but equal." No. The government has no business dictating to any religious person what religious statements they should say, whether State-written-and-mandated prayer in school nor nationalist pledges with religious overtures favouring one particular religious belief. There are numerous Christian sects that do not swear oaths under the name of God as they feel this violates the commandment against taking the name of God in vain. When government becomes involved in religion, it means the Power of the State is used to enforce conformity in what religious practice is "acceptable." The I Amendment is in place just as much to protect religious faith from the depredations of government power as it is to protect the government from manipulation in the name of beliefs backed by religious claims. When the government writes prayer, however innocuous it appears ("under God" is no less an endorsement of religion than the Rosary or Allah Akbhar) then the government is stating which religious view is politically acceptable. This is why the Danbury Baptists were so in favour of separation between the two when the Constitution was adopted."
  • -1 +32 -33 Jared Sep. 19, 2011
    "This has been part of or countries pledge for over 100 years. Why would anyone be affended by it. If they want to be a part of our country then why don't just accept the verses of our pledge. If you dont like our pledge then go back to your country!!"
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    • +6 +7 -1 Dominic Sep. 30, 2011
      "With respect... I was *born* in this country to a mother who was also born in this country. I am a citizen. To insinuate that no citizen disagrees is to say that no citizen is an atheist, agnostic, or of a different religion. And that is, frankly, *not* true. I have as much right to citizenship as anyone else, and I am an Agnostic.

      Sorry, this *is* my country."
    • +6 +8 -2 Ms Thang Sep. 27, 2011
      "You're wrong. It was only added in 1954. Try again."
    • +2 +3 -1 Shane Nov. 10, 2011
      "How about you go back to Europe? I'm Native American. My family has lived in America before it was even called America. "Under God" was added to the already completed (and in use) Pledge of Allegiance less than sixty years ago, by bigots who thought their religion was the correct one. Not everyone in America is Christian, or even religious for that matter."
  • -1 +112 -113 Kevin Sep. 15, 2011
    "This is ridiculous. All those opposed to saying "under God", you don't have to say it. I don't know why you would want to anyway. If you take that out we might as well change all the laws our country has seeing how they are based the many 10 commandments (i.e. lying (fraud), murder, stealing, adultery). If you take God out of this then you are begging for even more corruption in our government. If you have ever lived in a country dealing with that (and I have) it wouldn't bother you to say "under God"."
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    • +13 +18 -5 Shane Nov. 10, 2011
      "There is something called separation of church and state. "Under God" was added years after The Pledge of Allegiance was created. That wasn't the original writers intention. As an Atheist, I find it ridiculous that Christians are so forceful with their religion."
    • +13 +21 -8 Chase Oct. 18, 2011
      "Laws were not based of the ten comandments, they were made because they are wrong. what your saying is that since that guy isn't religous he can kill all those people because he isn't held under the ten comandments."
    • +10 +11 -1 C0D3 Jan. 10, 2012
      "Corruption like what?
      Some people are forced to say it.
      I want to be patriotic, but how am I supposed to ignore this? A pledge is a serious thing, in my opinion. I don't want to pledge myself to something I don't believe in."
    • +8 +8 0 Victor Greywolf Jan. 11, 2012
      "It shouldn't be forced. If we have freedom of speech, then we should be allowed to exclude it or omit it. If you had studied your history, you would know that prior to the 1950's, the words "Under god" wasn't even in the constitution or "In god we trust" on the currency prior to the 1950's, and the reason for it was because of the whack jobs who feared the communists. Truth be known, it was all a sham. You can still be patriotic, and not use the "under god" in the pledge, because nobody can force someone to love their country. They feel love for it in their heart, as it should be. As former Governor of Minnesota Ventura once said, and I will quote him again, "Patriotism comes from the heart." So, you're right, they don't have to say it, but they can still love the country. AS far as corruption goes, it is always there, especially in religious countries, but that is becaue PEOPLE are corrupt, has nothing to do with the non existant god or beliefs, it is human nature. I am not attacking you, just offering another viewpoint."
    • +6 +6 0 Mahoney Dec. 2, 2011
      "@Brennan Our country wasn't just founded by puritans many major companies came here seeking for money not all were Christians in fact very little really were."
    • +5 +6 -1 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "Kevin.
      I could tell you to add "under God" if the pledge didn't include it."
    • +2 +2 0 Kyle Jan. 14, 2013
      "It's not the fact that we think we're forced to say it, it's government endorsement of a singular religion, namely Christianity, and implies that all non-Christians are second-class citizens"
    • +1 +2 -1 Tonya Dec. 3, 2012
      ""You don't have to say it." It's not just bothering us opposers that we have to say it, it's the fact that it in clearly unconstitutional. Your opinion is clearly biased since you believe that without God this nation will fail. The thing is, the United States was built on foundations that were clearly, without God. The Founding Fathers were majorly deists, which means they do believe in a deity but the deity does not intervene with the universe or human affairs."
  • -1 +54 -55 Mary Ruff Aug. 15, 2011
    "It doesn't really have to be taken literally. It's all about your personal perception. I think we all need to relax and stop making mountains out of mole hills. Just say it the way it was written before they changed it if you have that big of a problem with it. It's not that serious...."
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    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Sorry. The nature of a pledge is it is meant to be taken literally, or it is empty pretty prose and has no place in government. As a disabled vet, I take every word of the Pledge seriously, which is why I am offended that there are those who would force one particular religious view in violation of Article Six of the Constitution I also affirmed to uphold and defend and try to make it the power of the State. Our "greatest generation" were able to get through all of WW2 without those words, yet engraved on the belt buckles of the German Wehrmacht were the words "Gott Mit Uns" (God is with us). A phrase forced to be recited by rote without conviction or meaning is precisely that: empty, devoid of power. And if it is devoid of power, why would anyone want to have it as a core patriotic virtue>"
    • -1 +1 -2 Bob Nov. 9, 2011
      "You're making just as big deal out of it as us, because"
  • -1 +33 -34 Andrea B Jul. 28, 2011
    "We are wasting our time trying to remove every glimpse of faith and heritage from this nation. 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were church members and Christians. Get over it! It is completely ridiculous to cater to the minority the way this nation has become so famous for doing. Listen, 82% of Americans say they believe in God. If you don't, don't say under God, but leave the other 82% alone."
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    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Actually, most of the signers of the Constitution were not Christians; they were Deists. And no one is trying to remove faith from the nation. The nation's heritage also includes slavery and women not having the right to vote; no one would argue today that those were worthwhile traditions to keep. Rights are rights for all, or they are not rights. 82%, 92%, or 99.9% do not get to vote on the rights of the minority, or they are not rights: it is the functional equivalent of two wolves and a sheep voting on what is for dinner, or the functional equivalent of telling minorities they will still be kept in slave chains. There is no virtue in being in the majority: there is only virtue in holding the values of our Republic as true for all, every last citizen."
    • +1 +3 -2 Cliff Jan. 22, 2012
      "Then please amend the pledge to say, "with liberty and justice for 82%""
  • -2 +5 -7 Renne Feb. 13, 2013
    "The words 'under God' aren't hurting anyone. I don't see what's wrong with it being there. We are a Nation under God. WE are a Nation that has a Freedom of Religion. Everyone gets so offended by Merry Christmas and 'under God'. People get so offended by something that's not offensive. We can't say Merry Christmas because it offended people, now they want to take away 'under God'. What will we have left? Freedom of Religion, it applies to Christians too you know."
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    • +2 +2 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "soo if the words were one nation under hitler you wouldn't be offended either? i mean it's not technically hurting anyone"
    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "So you have no objection if I wish you a joyous Eid, or perhaps a Merry Solstice, or a blessed Festival of Lights? A sale in a store should be accompanied by a phrase which is all inclusive, such as "thank you" or "come back and see us again." Freedom of Religion indeed applies to Christians too, which is why they fought so hard to have separation of church and state in the I Amendment and Article VI of the Constitution (it was Baptists that supported those ideas, so the power of government would not be used against them, back when they were a weak minor denomination)."
  • -2 +4 -6 rebecca serville Jan. 22, 2013
    "i want it to be because it means that the united states believes in god and believes in his miricals like i do."
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    • -1 0 -1 Hani Jacklyn Feb. 28, 2013
      "The US doesn't believe in God though. The whole point of America is to be able to believe in whatever you want."
  • -2 +4 -6 Guillermo Dec. 15, 2012
    "For everybody's info liberty and justice equals GOD'S LAWS so be it IN GOD WE TRUST, SO HELP ME GOD, ONE NATION UNDER GOD and you name it . THE END."
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    • -1 0 -1 Grumpy Jan. 26, 2013
      "not everyone see it that way. including many christians. it's almost as if our country of people was created by people and its laws written by people...

      now, as individuals, perhaps we can submit that they all believed in and were inspired by and were subjects of god.. but none of that has anything to do with a country of people."
  • -2 +5 -7 Jesse Dec. 11, 2012
    "Yes, since the U.S.A. is not a communist, "under God" phrase should be there. Another reason is the forefathers of the U.S.A. are Christians. For the non-religious ones, we can tolerate them by letting them be quiet when the religious ones reciting the phrase "under God"."
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    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "No. Since the USA is not Communist, the government should not be telling you what religious position is politically correct. Rights are not about "tolerating the minority." Rights are rights for all, or they are merely privileges for those who are of the select group. There was a time in this nation when being a Roman Catholic was illegal in every state in the nation (save Maryland); when Florida was purchased from Spain one of the first acts of the Federal Government was to send Protestant missionaries (on the taxpayer dime) to convert the citizens of that territory. The Cathedral of St Augustine was seized and used as an Army barracks. The purpose of separation of Church and State is just as much to keep the government from preying on the religious. The problem is that each religious sect thinks it is their sect that will win. The concept of keeping government from preying on the religious is not difficult; the Connecticut Baptists understood it, which is why they fought so hard for that separation in the drafting of the Bill of Rights. It is actually atheists that stand most for freedom of religion; all religions. All sects. The right to believe as you choose without government interference."
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "dude OUR forefathers were DEIST not theist,
      our fore fathers were for religious FREEDOM

      Separation of Church and State
      "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely
      between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith
      or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions
      only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of
      the whole American people which declared that their legislature should
      'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
      free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church
      and State."
      --Letter to the Danbury (Conn.) Baptist Association, January 1, 1802"
    • -1 0 -1 Grumpy Jan. 26, 2013
      "what does god have to do with communism?

      also, deism is not exactly christianity."
  • -2 +13 -15 Elliott Oct. 9, 2012
    "Absolutely, this is part of America, not to mention 76-80% of U.S. citizens are Christian and believe in God."
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    • +4 +5 -1 Josh Oct. 14, 2012
      "What about the other 20-24 percent? That's a hefty number, right there. And the first part of your argument makes no sense..."
    • +3 +4 -1 Dylan Oct. 22, 2012
      "Minority rights over majority will. Founding principle of America."
  • -2 +22 -24 Jean Sep. 11, 2012
    "It always has been. God has been apart of ourcountry since our founding fathers had created it. As the country started pushing God away it has been slowly declining. I believe since it is an act of tradition upon the founding of our own country it should be kept in the pledge. Changing it would be complete ludacris."
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    • +5 +5 0 David Oct. 9, 2012
      "The "Under God" part was put into the pledge in 1954 by congress. It was put in the pledge to distinguish the U.S. from Communist states. The Cold War is over. We don't need it anymore. It completely goes against our constitution."
    • +2 +3 -1 Derek Nov. 17, 2012
      "God is the reason for most wars and human suffering! And you believe that our decline began by pushing God away, our decline began when we started deeming it okay to trade temporary security for less freedom!"
    • +2 +3 -1 Ryan Thomas Nov. 16, 2012
      "No. Not even close. The majority of our founding father were diest and did not want any religion in government at ALL. Here is the first line from the first amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" You should read up on your history."
  • -2 +6 -8 Robert C. Baird Aug. 7, 2012
    "A few years ago I wrote a poem in the form of a letter by an unnamed 3rd grader in Elk Grove CA writting to her father who was a soldier fighting for our freedom:
    One Nation Under God:
    Dear Daddy, I love you, I sure wish you were here....
    Something awful happened today at school
    The teacher cried as she read a new rule
    We can't say the pledge and we all cried
    Daddy does that mean that our country died?
    Last week the teacher talked of Francis Scott Key
    And we sang the song, "Oh say can you see"
    Does God still bless America, from sea to shinning sand?
    Is it O.K. to love the flag, the republic for which it stands?
    One Nation Under God, have we lost that some how?
    Daddy do something please, pray with me now
    Dear God bless America, with your mighty rod
    Please protect my daddy, and our One Nation Under God
    Daddy Who can I turn to, since you're not here anymore
    Daddy I know you left to go fight the terrorist war
    Daddy we can't say the pledge, and I cried
    Daddy does that mean that our country died?
    (the answer is, 2 Chronicles 7:14)"
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    • -1 +1 -2 Josh Oct. 14, 2012
      "Yeah, and...?"
  • -2 +9 -11 Katie Jun. 29, 2012
    "Well I am one of the people who support "one nation under God" being in the Pledge of allegiance. Whether some people like it or not there is no denying that the founding of our country was majorly based on a belief in God and relying on Him for help and guidance. And the separation of Church and State is actually not in the Constitution but in a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to a church to reassure them that the GOVERNMENT couldn't make laws about the CHURCH not that the Church couldn't be involved in the Government. There is a difference."
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  • -2 +17 -19 Aaron Jun. 27, 2012
    "Saying under God does not have to refer to a Christian God, or even a strictly religious God. I find it uplifting to state that we are all united under a greater power, whether it be that of a deity of doctrine or a collective, spiritual sense of our country's connectedness. Under God can mean different things to different people, but it is a good thing to recognize a power and purpose that is greater than any one individual."
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    • 0 0 0 matt Mar. 28, 2013
      "there is no GOD period, regardless it is a religion belief that takes away my right to non belief and our constitutional belief that church should be seperated from state as our FOUNDING fathers intended"
  • -2 +3 -5 Chris Jun. 8, 2012
    "Yes I think we should leave thing alone in our Pledge of Allegiance. Its bad enough they let so one that wasn't a Christian come in and take our rights away from us. If they are not born in American, they shouldn't have any rights to change what our Four Father's start in American. It would be different if our Four Father's knew about the way American turned out to be. Since we took God out of school, our school is over run with children who doesn't listen or mind. And people wonder why there is so many children shooting other children and adults. This does include at school, in the street, in our neighborhoods. Kids are not afraid of consequence for there actions. Now we have adults who don't care what their children do to others. People wonder why American is the way that it is. Think about it."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Actually Socrates thought about it long before you did, and he was arguably -not- a Christian: "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers." It has to do with them being children, not being non-Christian."
  • -2 +10 -12 Erving Altamirano Apr. 18, 2012
    "It should remain the way it is just because this nation wouldn't be as successful without God. Taking Him out of our daily lives would cause us to lose our blessings. I say we're already losing a lot of the blessings we had just because politics are trying so hard to take God off of everything we do, whether it's at school, work, or in public."
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    • +2 +2 0 Mondayn Sep. 21, 2012
      "I do not include God in my daily life and don't felt any detrimental effects for it."
  • -2 +9 -11 Vinathi Apr. 10, 2012
    "This is the most retarded argument in the world. Why would the president and congress waste time passing an amendment just to remove "with god"? No thank you, the U.S. has bigger problems."
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  • -2 +13 -15 the average joe Mar. 12, 2012
    "it should stay in because it's part of our pledge it's there it's final get over it so what if your not christian you don't have to worship god but it states that this country was founded by christian who thought god watched over them"
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  • -2 +14 -16 Jake Mar. 5, 2012
    "The words 'under God' should not be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Reason being, this country was founded on religion and has stayed that way since it has started in retaliation to 'it's forcing religion' just because we have to say it doesn't mean we have to believe it."
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  • -2 +9 -11 Kizum Mar. 4, 2012
    "All the pledge is basically saying is that alligiance is pledged to a countrie that was founded upon a divine ideology whereas all people have equal and unalienable. The pledge reads "One nation, under God" not "One nation, where I believe in God". If that were the case, then there'd be some issues..."
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  • -2 +16 -18 Bethany Mar. 2, 2012
    "It would be a shame for those who believe those words to have to stop saying them just because the person next to them doesn't believe them. If "Under God" is removed from the Pledge I would still say it. I felt that in school my faith was always scorned and hated but the Pledge was a way for me to start my day with God in my mind. If you do not want to say it fine, but please do not take it away from me."
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    • +2 +3 -1 A. V. D. Jun. 16, 2012
      "So then your opinion matters more than that 'someone' next to you? In MY childhood I was hated and told i was going to hell and so on so i grew to hate the idea of religion until i was old enough to realize how childish and ridiculous it truly is. No more plausible than a bedtime story. Remove the phrase so that the pledge includes EVERY American and i will have no problems at all with you still saying 'under god'. Its funny to me that anyone could actually believe it, but its not my place to tell others what to believe. Just like its not yours to tell me to live in a nation 'under god', a god that doesn't (i believe) exist. Bottom line: take it out, everyone is included. Leave it in, this country has fallen from its foundation of freedom of religion and has become a religious and excluding country, one i don't want to be a part of."
    • -1 0 -1 John C. Fletcher Jan. 24, 2013
      "A.V.D. I'm sorry that you were so mistreated in school. Those people were not following God correctly. Wether they were right or not, it was still their duty to show love to everyone, but it was also not their place to make the judgement, that is God alone's Job. I wish I could undo that for you.

      Bethany I find It a great opportunity in the morning to say that. I have been thinking more and more about the pledge along with the pledge to the christian flag and the pledge to the bible."
  • -2 +13 -15 me Feb. 7, 2012
    "why worry about something so small when we are in debt and in a war."
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  • -2 +25 -27 Vinathi Feb. 3, 2012
    "I'm not Christian, but it's never bothered me to say the Pledge of Allegiance. It's stupid that people are fussing over something so small. Think about how lame it would be if the government released an act removing the "under god" part in the Pledge. The reality is that there are much more important issues the U.S. should be focusing on."
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  • -2 +13 -15 alisha burdette Jan. 30, 2012
    "the words under god should be in the pledge bc god had put them there for a reason. And he wants them to be in the pledge. so that is why they should be in the pledge no one should take them out of the pledge. it would not sound right with out them in there so that is why i say that the words under god should be in the pledgd and plus it is showing are relgion for god. that is i think that the words under god should be in the pledge."
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    • +2 +2 0 Riley Risteen Aug. 20, 2012
      "Just because you believe that "God" decided to have "under God" in the pledge of allegiance doesn't mean it's true...Much like the churches belief that the everything in our solar system revolved around earth instead of the sun. I personally don't believe "God" exists but I'm not going to be arrogant and claim that my opinion is the truth."
    • 0 0 0 Fishtree Apr. 19, 2013
      "God didn't put those words in the pledge. Congress did, as propaganda against communists. I think its time to take them back out again. Did god walk up to you and tell you that he wanted those words in the pledge? I don't think so. If you can do that, ask god if he exists. Watch him disappear in a puff of logic with the words "You evil god killing...". you see, god says that he refuses to prove he exists, for proof denies faith and without faith he is nothing. So by his own arguments, he ceases to exist. However, if he says that he doesn't exist, then he is all-powerful god and destroys himself."
    • -4 0 -4 sammie whitworth Jan. 31, 2012
      "ikr alisha these words should defanetly stay in the pledge"
  • -2 +21 -23 Leon Burnes Jan. 20, 2012
    "I'm quite on the line on this issue... I'm atheist, I'll admit that. But... I guess it comes down to this. The concept of God has been massively important in our nation's history. A lot of historical events would not have happened without religion fueling them. So, why not? Atheist or not, "under God" is a vital piece of the Pledge of Allegiance."
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    • +3 +4 -1 David W Rogers Feb. 17, 2012
      "If it was so important, how did we survive until 1954 without those two words in there? Think about it! The dis-adding of those two words does not take away from anyone's religious freedom. However, having them present in a national pledge is clearly offensive to non-believers and other-believers. Clearly you are a seeker of truth, so, doesn't the knowledge that they were added for propaganda purposes push you over the line the other way?"
    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Yes, the concept of God was important. It drove the genocide of the natives (manifest destiny). It drove the Salem Witch Trials. It drove slavery (that "peculiar institution") and the Ku Klux Klan that followed. It drove Prohibition. It drives abortion clinic bombings today. It drove 9/11 (albeit a different concept of God). It drove a certain President's alleged statement that "atheists cannot be patriots nor should be citizens," though as a disabled atheist veteran I would beg to differ. If you are in fact an atheist, you know there is no good act that has been accomplished by religion that cannot also be accomplished without it, and the massive infrastructure of pastors, churches, non-taxable property and all that goes with religion. You also know that "without religion good people will do good, and bad people will do bad. But to get good people to do bad, that takes religion." As an atheist, you should care about what is true, not what feels good. Democratic republics are extremely rare in human history, and are easily broken when their people uphold a cause more important than freedom or liberty. It is liberty for ALL, or it is not liberty. The Bill of Rights protects the rights of minorities; the majority don't need it."
  • -2 +74 -76 Pothead Jan. 17, 2012
    "Yes because this country was found on religion and must be respected by the community that wishes to be apart of this country"
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    • +11 +17 -6 andy Mar. 1, 2012
      "Actualy this country was founded on religious freedom, not religion, if you can't respect that maybe you shouldn't be a part of this country"
    • +6 +9 -3 Alec and Noah Apr. 18, 2012
      "No, this country was founded on the belief that anyone can believe of not believe in whatever he/she can believe in. You are demanding respect for the religious part of the community, and you are disregarding how the atheist, agnostic, humanist, etc. groups will also require respect which you will not give. You can keep praying for respect, we'll go ahead and take action."
    • +4 +4 0 Passa Jun. 2, 2012
      "No, it wasn't."
    • +3 +5 -2 TJxMcCalmont May. 4, 2012
      "The US was not found on religion, it was found on an expedition to find spices in India, hence the reason the natives were called Indians. Plus, the "under God" part wasnt put into play until the 1950's, which is a violation of our constitution regardless. So before you go blindly trying to represent God, learn the facts."
    • +1 +2 -1 Robert Kline Jul. 13, 2012
      "This country was founded on FREEDOM of religion, which means no persecution and no connection of religion between Church and State. By saying we need to respect the community, this means respecting ALL parts of the American community, not just those who believe in God."
    • +1 +2 -1 Malone Jul. 4, 2012
      "If it was "founded on religion", then why was "under god' not originally part of the pledge?
      You can keep repeating the same excuses over and over again. It's doesn't make them any less false."
    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "No. This country was founded on Enlightenment, secular values. People deserve respect, unless they show themselves unworthy. Ideas never deserve respect, unless they are shown to be true."
    • 0 0 0 Hani Jacklyn Feb. 28, 2013
      "CORRECTION, sir. Our country was founded on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM"
  • -2 +14 -16 brayden Jan. 4, 2012
    "yes those words should be in there because its not act of getting religion in the kids life its been like that for many years it should stay like that but i still think it should stay the same."
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  • -2 +17 -19 Dave Spencer Nov. 18, 2011
    "Since the majority of the people in America believe in either the Jewish, Christian, or Muslim faith, and it is the majority who get to have a say, with respect to the rights of the minority, of course, the answer is a simple "Yes", because first of all, this nation was founded by people who believed in the God of the Christian religion, which happens also to be the same God of the Jews, and of the Muslims. A simple lesson in history confirms that the Jews believed in the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"; the Christian religion came out of the Jewish faith and added the teachings, life, and purpose of Jesus Christ but also held to the God of Abraham, and the Muslim, who calls him Allah, also believes in the God of Abraham. So, since the majority believe and hope that "this nation, under God", is indivisible and provides "liberty and justice for all", notable tenets of all three major faiths, the phrase should stand."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "And none of that has anything to do with a secular, disinterested State, other than you may believe whatever you wish, but you may not impose your religious beliefs with the force of law on others. Religious belief is the most divisive sort of belief ever to come from the minds of people; why must it be inserted in a patriotic pledge? Would that also be an example of taking the name of the Lord in vain, using it in a petty nationalistic pledge and forcing it on those who do not believe? Should we also have heresy laws, like some Muslim states? Atheists have already been told they should not be citizens and cannot be patriotic (my disablement in the service of my country notwithstanding)."
  • -2 +35 -37 Sydney Oct. 25, 2011
    "Yes, They should be in the US Pledge of Allegiance because they have a strong firm standing not only in the Pledge but also in the presidential oath and many oaths in justice court and supreme court! Keeping these words in the pledge is important to so many people in America. Over 80% of people in America make this decision! Its not hard to do, do you really want to be the one responsible for haveing every oath and pledge in America. These words don't mean were under any certain God, it just said 'God.' These words mean were under one higher power TOGETHER! UNITED in AMERICA!"
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    • +1 +1 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "When I was elected to town office, I made an affirmation to uphold and defend the state and Federal constitutions. In the US Constitution itself it is written: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. (Article VI, Paragraph III). It is unconstitutional to require an oath. One may choose to swear such an oath, one is not required (hence the affirmation caveat in the Constitution)"
    • +1 +1 0 Daniel Aug. 27, 2012
      "You make 3 points that all rely on logical fallacies.

      You first point is, essentially that the concept of "God" is already all over American law. This doesn't validate WHETHER the term should be all over the place, which is the crux of the discussion. You ignore the issue, and make something called a bandwagon appeal.

      Your second argument is that 80% of Americans want it that way. This is a classic argumentum ad populum, another fallacious approach.

      Your third point about a "generic god" is the only one that's actually being discussed, but has been thoroughly countered elsewhere. You make no attempts to elaborate further, but only restate the core premise."
  • -2 +39 -41 Stephanie Apr. 28, 2011
    "I support the bill [Pledge Protection Act] because when I was in high school I chose not to recite the pledge of allegiance because I was going through some rebellious phase. All the children in school have to say is 'I choose not to stand.' It's that simple. Leave the pledge as is and give the children a choice. Enough with the black/white. There's gray here and that's the individual's choice."
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    • +1 +1 0 Daniel Aug. 27, 2012
      "You fail to address the primary complaints of the opposition. No one is doubting THAT students have a choice in regards to reciting or standing, so pointing that out is irrelevant to the conversation at hand. The actual issues concern whether "god" can be considered a generic concept, as opposed to being specifically religious, or if a government sponsored and legally required recitation of such a concept violates the establishment clause. Your observations aren't being contested."
  • -3 0 -3 Walter Apr. 16, 2013
    "I we weren't "One nation under God" we would be one nation lost forever. We would lose all sight of what our country was built upon. The "Pledge of Allegiance" was written during a time of hope and inspiration, and it is historical. It should not be changed, or it will change us."
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  • -3 +4 -7 Garantula4 Feb. 14, 2013
    "Are you people not Americans? I am the only one in class who says the pledge of allegiance. This country was made under GOD. If you don't believe in saying the pledge you are free to go......back to Mexico. Don't forget the might of GOD."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "Back to Mexico? Bigoted much? Mexico is much more religious than the USA. It has a state religion. And my ancestors fled Poland at the start of WW2, from the guys that had "God is With Us" engraved on their belts. My Polish grandfather died for this country's Constitution, including freedom of religion. If you recall your history, it was not the Jews the Nazis sent to die first, it was the disabled, political prisoners, and atheists."
  • -3 +1 -4 cody hamlin Feb. 13, 2013
    "Our nation was founded "technically" on the belief of god. We escaped religious persecution, and all it says is "god" therefore, it can mean ANY god, not the roman catholic god, the protestant god, buddah or ZEUS! Damnit, it just says god!

    Atheism is a contradiction in itself.

    -Cody Hamlin
    Yeah"
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    • +1 +1 0 Pamela Fuchsel Apr. 9, 2013
      "Lol oh really? Care to explain the whole contradiction thing? Seriously...my email is quantummechanics97@hotmail.com..."
  • -3 +1 -4 Talia Feb. 6, 2013
    "Yes because our country is pretty much based on religion. A lot of our wars were fought because of religion. So why would we protect it so much to not have it in our pledge?"
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  • -3 +2 -5 Jacob Frederick Jan. 29, 2013
    "This country was founded on God. To take out his name in the pledge of allegiance. If you dont like it then dont say it"
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  • -3 +4 -7 John C. Fletcher Jan. 23, 2013
    "For me say "under God" affirms that we are under God's domain, but not in some oppressive way. He has given us the freedom to be free to praise him and show kindness and love to one another. Separation of church and state just means that the government will not restrict us on our religious beliefs.

    I do see the point of view that requiring God to be used in such a way takes away meaning and glory to his name, but it does recognize that he is in charge. For those of us who choose to serve him, it is just more affirming."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "I would think that any self-respecting Christian would view invoking the name of God for a patently political statement of allegiance to the nation would be demeaning of that Christian's religious faith, but I don't know, as I am an atheist. Perhaps I didn't understand the statement by Jesus in the New Testament where he is quoted as saying when you pray, pray in secret, and that those who make public proclamations of their faith have already received their reward."
  • -3 +7 -10 Alex boggess Dec. 5, 2012
    "I'm pro because this nation was born on a religion of christianity...All the atheists can go F them selves."
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    • +2 +2 0 joseph Jan. 21, 2013
      "How religious of you to tell atheists to f themselves."
    • 0 0 0 John Jan. 23, 2013
      "thanks for helping the christians be christian and cussing"
    • -1 +2 -3 Jesse Dec. 11, 2012
      "Yeah. I agree as a Christian."
  • -3 +1 -4 Evie Nov. 28, 2012
    "I believe it should be, because God created this world and we have messed it up more than one way! Lets at least keep his name in it for a little honor to the one who gave us life"
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  • -3 +7 -10 Bon H Oct. 24, 2012
    "It's been there for almost 60 years, and there isn't a strong enough argument to remove it now. Even if it was thought that there are fewer Christians than before, we were founded by Christians, it guided our founding fathers toward what created our country, and it should remain out of respect and accurate representation of where we came from."
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    • +3 +3 0 Kyle Jan. 14, 2013
      "*Ahem* What do you mean "it guided the founding fathers" it was never within the pledge till the mid-20th century and was placed there by president Eisenhower, you should really get educated in all this."
  • -3 +11 -14 No name please Aug. 29, 2012
    "I feel as though the words "under God" should be in the pledge. And I realize that there are some people out there who are not Christians, but they do have the right to just stand respectfully during the pledge and not say "under God". Besides, are we really going to change the Pledge of Allegiance?"
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    • +4 +4 0 Mondayn Sep. 21, 2012
      "It wouldn't be the first time that the pledge has been changed, hence the change to include "under God" into the pledge on June 14, 1954."
    • -4 +1 -5 Mojo<3 Sep. 3, 2012
      "I agree with you! People really do need to realize that they do not have to say anything."
    • -4 +1 -5 Secret Sep. 3, 2012
      "wow, good point! you deserve to be on the "Best list""
  • -3 +6 -9 anon Aug. 25, 2012
    "i say Yes, because the whole pledge rests on a foundation of Contradictions & Hypocrisy anyways. The phrase "under God" is barely significant at best. As evidenced by the number of comments on this question, compared to the number of comments on the question of, "Should marijuana be a medical option?" There is a school of thought or ideology that says, "White European Men are superior in that they know more, they know the answer, and thats the way it is." Those people may call the United States a Christian nation, but the truth is that the era of white male dominance, exemplified in the system of corporations that has grown to encompass the world, is on the descent. Look to the current politics of the Latin Americas for an indigenous perspective, and you will see that the historical White Male Superiority perspective is not the only way."
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  • -3 +2 -5 Fred Aug. 16, 2012
    "There is no reason that the phrase "under god" should be removed from the pledge. Even if you don't believe in Christianity your "god" could be anyone so assume that your referring to your own. If your atheist, don't say it when you say the pledge. It's an optional thing and not saying "under god" isn't looked down upon. Since the majority of the country is ok with it, I don't see a reason why it should be removed."
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  • -3 +16 -19 :D Cristina Jul. 22, 2012
    "Wow.. there are soo many uneducated comments.. Our country was not founded on religion, it was founded on the beliefs of Europe and such. The under god stuff in our pledges and on our money does not mean anything it is just there; and for those who are against religion or the views of them there is no reason you should be feeling " offended " or thinking that this under god stuff has anything to impose on you. A lot of people are led to believe things and not think for oneself for they fear the unknown.What i don't understand is how people accept crap like sex before marriage, same sex couples, obesity in children, i'll even toss in the little bigotry people who label others ( like myself) as bigots for not accepting others views and disregarding my own( which I do accept others opinions and such just I do not toss out my won). Yet when you hear someone say " Amen, Thank God" They get a disgusting look upon their face. Like why do people feel it is okay to hate god or a person who has strong religious values just because you do not agree with them? And for all those saying state and church are separate :) foolishness! It may say so in the Constitution and such but it is not fully true. Many churches support governments."
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  • -3 +6 -9 tony May. 22, 2012
    "i feel the words under GOD should be left in the pledge. i can 100% promise you there is one GOD and i have seen him and talked with him. i first saw him when i was about eight years old. he told me they would try to pass a same sex issue.i asked him if he was joking and he said no.he told me to speak up and tell them. i have seen him many times. he told me to tell the truth. he told me to say the cross belongs in the house of prayer.i promise you he is very much real and he knows what is going on.he is very tall and wears a tannish colored robe made of woven type material. he is the reason we are here.we need to honer and respect him.he told me to enjoy my life and i do.he told me to say.believe unto me and you shall not perish but have everlasting life.i keep speaking up about this same sex issue and it is an insult to me that it continues.we need to use common sense in our lifes .im 52 now . i said the pledge in school and i feel it should be that way. i live here in the usa and im glad we have freedom to choose but i promise you there is only one GOD and he is very much real."
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    • +1 +1 0 John Jan. 23, 2013
      "Although I am christian I don't believe you because no man can look upon the face if God. I do believe that he may have talked to you. Plus if you are talking with him, shouldn't you be letting more people know about what he tells you(unless he has reason for otherwise)?"
    • +1 +1 0 Browthlowski Nov. 13, 2012
      "6beneth66, you my friend, need to go back to school to understand how to spell...Helps when you try to make an argument against God fairing people..."
    • -1 0 -1 6beneth66 Sep. 12, 2012
      "Your lying, your going against what DOG told you, your a schitzophrenic and you need psychiatric help if you think you've talked to god numerous times."
  • -3 +7 -10 Corey Mar. 23, 2012
    "THIS IS AMERICA THIS IS OUR PLEDGE AND NO ONE IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT. WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO CHANGE WHAT IS OURS FOR SOMEONE ELSE."
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    • 0 0 0 Max Jun. 20, 2012
      "The flaw in your logic is that the "SOMEONE ELSE" is included in the "WE". Therefore, in order for "WE" to pleased, so must "SOMEONE ELSE"."
  • -3 +25 -28 Fish Feb. 10, 2012
    "I believe that since this country was founded under God why should we take that out of the pledge? Men and women have fought and gave their lives for this country, so that way we can have freedom and be able to have God in our lives. And since this country was founded under God and the Ten Commandments in mind, it needs to stay in. If it offends you well I am sorry but get out of this country!"
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    • +4 +4 0 TJ Apr. 21, 2012
      "And what of the Atheists, Wiccans, Druids, Asatru, Agnostics, Buddhist, ect soldiers that have died for the country? This country was founded for religious freedom, not for under god. It should be taken out and set back to the way it was. We shouldn't favor one religion over another, Church and state needs to be separate."
  • -3 +10 -13 country boy Feb. 10, 2012
    "The words under god should be in the pledge of alligence because this nation was bulit with gods help and his blessing. because if god did not want the U.S.A to win all of the warss that they have won we wouldnt have."
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    • +1 +1 0 Riley Risteen Aug. 20, 2012
      "That may be your opinion but it isn't necessarily true. This may be a shock to you but some people think that America succeeded due to other things completely unrelated to "God". Don't be so arrogant."
  • -3 +11 -14 Tebow Time Jan. 26, 2012
    "this country was once a mighty christian nation because of the belief in our savior Jesus Christ.
    there is nothing that can be accomplished without Him."
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  • -3 +13 -16 Lexi Daniels Jan. 26, 2012
    "Almost every religion has a God. Every religion beleives in a different god but there is not a specific name in the pledge therefore, we are not focusing on one religion. If you are not alright with our country's pledge then dont say it. We dont care with what you do or dont do but dont make it so everyone can't when you can just not say it yourself"
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    • 0 0 0 Russell Mar. 4, 2013
      "No, they are mad because there is 1 god and 1 god only and that is the christian god and it aint theres."
    • -2 0 -2 D.D. Jan. 27, 2012
      "Exactly! If you are one of the people who are agnostic or atheist, then please feel free to NOT say "under God"...you have that right with the freedom of religion. It is all in how you look at it. I myself am agnostic and I have no problem with reciting the words "under God" because there will always be a higher "power" above the government...whether it be the same God that 80% of Americans believe, a different god, or none at all. Those words were added during the time of a communist scare and if Eisenhower were still alive today I would thank him and all the members of Congress for passing it. Plain and simple, if you don't like it, don't say it."
  • -3 +18 -21 Brian Jan. 20, 2012
    """Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - James Madison"

    Genius that statement was written in refrence to a tyrant that would have forced you to say "under God" on pain of DEATH! And the simple yet increadibly important thing that all you Cons seem to be forgetting is that NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO SAY OR BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU DONT WANT TO!!!! Since it was added 58 Years ago no one has been forced to believe in God, or put to death for not believing in the Almighty, nor has anyone been incarcerated for not saying those words in the pledge so quit all your meaningless bitching about how your looking for attention and want everyone to look at you, cause we both know thats what all of this is really and truely about. When we get down to the core you all just want to have everyones attention while you create problems for 89% of the country! I'll say it again for the slow ones that are a little behind, NO....ONE....IS....FORCING....YOU....TO....BELIEVE....IN....GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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    • 0 +1 -1 Jordan Mar. 4, 2012
      "No one you say? Not even those bible thumpers who try to force it down our throats, if I may be so bold to speak for some people. It's contributing to the idea that he exists (I'm an atheist if you haven't figured out) and it's doing it indirectly. Hmmm... you'll complain how we're just absolutely begging for attention... but I can't help but notice how you abuse the caps button in the last sentence. Maybe! Just maybe! Some intelligent people are trying to discuss this matter while your suggestion causes everyone to look at you like you're a little behind yeah?"
  • -3 +19 -22 Laura Dec. 20, 2011
    "Our country was founded on the principle that all good things come from God and that while everyone is free to pray or not pray to that God, we all recognize that we are one nation, under God, given certain unalienable rights by our creator."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "No. Our country was founded on the principles of liberty and freedom, two ideas that are antithetical to everything in every holy book ever written. Think: if the country was allegedly founded on the idea of God and all good things supposedly came from him, why is he not mentioned one time in the Constitution, and the only mention of religion is there is no religious test for public office and separation of church and state? This is a Christian nation because a majority of its citizens are Christians (even though of ten thousand Christian sects they cannot agree on what that actually means). It is not a Christian State, and never has been. The State is disinterested in religion."
    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "No. Our country was founded on secular, Enlightenment values that respect and honour all beliefs about religion, and none. There were virtually no examples of religious freedom throughout the history of the human race before the USA's I Amendment value that "government shall establish no religion." Virtually all governments had (and many still do) established religions. If anything is unique about our nation, it is the government standing as guarantor of everyone's right to believe as they choose or not. That is a secular value; one will not find it in the Bible (cf First Commandment explicitly prohibits that concept). You do not have the right under our Constitution to use the power of the State to indoctrinate my children in school, force me to worship as the State demands, nor force me to hold or swear to any religious opinion. Likewise, I do not have that power over your children, hence prayer in school is not unlawful - government written and mandate prayers are. That is a secular Enlightenment value, not a religious one."
  • -3 +31 -34 Ray Oct. 5, 2011
    "the term "GOD" is not specific to any religion.
    Most people have an understanding of God ...
    even atheists - if ya shot their foot and got ready to shoot the other one - most could blurt out something like "OH GOD! PLEASE NO!"

    Sure! that was an extreme analogy but I have known too many atheists who used the "Oh God!"

    See? ... even in a 12 step program they use the concept of "GOD AS YOU UNDERSTAND HIM""
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    • +4 +5 -1 cliff Jan. 22, 2012
      "With that logic we should be able to find a different "curse word" to put into the pledge that wouldn't offend anyone"
  • -3 +20 -23 jjjjjj Sep. 30, 2011
    "just because the pledge says it, does not mean you have to believe it him. But to change it would start a domino effect. stop one, save the rest. so just let it go."
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    • 0 +2 -2 Paint Oct. 20, 2011
      "A domino effect? Wtf does that mean? Churches will actually start paying taxes? God forbid they should play on a level playing field with everyone else.

      The less special treatment delusion-ahem, religion gets, the better."
  • -3 +41 -44 Harold Sep. 20, 2011
    "If you don't like the added religious phrase... then when you recite the Pledge of Allegiance, don't say it if you don't want to... THAT SIMPLE. Therefore no one is "forcing" their belief on you."
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    • +5 +6 -1 adam Mar. 1, 2012
      "Actually since the majority of people who say the pledge everyday are children, then yes it is being forced. They don't know any better and it is practically child abuse. It's like Telling your child he/she is a republican, they dont understand and its brainwashing."
    • +2 +10 -8 Diddy Sep. 27, 2011
      "How about, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ADDED IN THE FIRST PLACE."
    • +1 +4 -3 C0D3 Jan. 10, 2012
      "I was forced to say the pledge in school; if we didn't say it correctly, they made us stay standing and recite it again.

      I wonder what brought up the change to the original. If someone knows, please reply.
      Could it be a group of Christian maniacs?
      A new fad?

      Harold, when they remove "Under God" from the pledge, feel free to keep saying it."
  • -3 +26 -29 TC Aug. 1, 2011
    "The US has freedom of religion but was founded on Christian principles. It should be included as a reminder of that heritage. The further we remove ourselves from the principles of decency that comes with a Christian element, the further the US goes into the crapper. Our politicians have no code of ethics or if they do they don't follow it. Our society is in a free fall of morals. Do we really have to ask if "Under God" should be part of the allegiance to the US? If you are offended, I won't be offended if you leave. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way back home!"
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    • +2 +2 0 C0D3 Jan. 10, 2012
      "Of course we have to ask; if the public as a whole does not agree, then it needs to go. I see no decency in Christianity. Our nation isn't going into the crapper because people don't believe in Christianity, it's going into the crapper because the government has decided to worry about trivial matters such as this and not the economy. I have morals and values, just like you. Who are you to judge which are right, and which are wrong? Mine might be different, but they're as relevant as yours. You seem to be lacking the concept of "respect".
      "If you are offended, I won't be offended if you leave. Don't let the door hit you on the a** on the way back home!"
      ^That cracked me up; my family has been here for generations, so really, my home is here. Here's an idea, why don't you go to a different country where there IS NO religious freedom--an all-Christian state. Have fun worshiping your "God"."
    • +2 +2 0 Paint Oct. 20, 2011
      "The entire branch of ethics is concerned with secular ways to figure out morals. You don't need a god to tell you what is right and wrong, and believe me, religion, especially Christianity, has NEVER stopped corruption of any kind. If you follow the news even badly you should know that. Politicians used to be less religious than they are now, and less corrupt. Put down the damn Bible and think about it for more than 10 seconds.

      Your attitude is sickening as well. "Don't agree with me? Leave!" Yeah, great, whitewash the country so only people you agree with are here. I shudder to think what would happen if everyone chose ignorance this way."
    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "No, the nation was founded on Enlightenment secular principles. That is why God is not mentioned a single time in the Constitution, and the only references to religion is that there is no religious test for public office and that Congress (and the subordinate governments of the states) shall make no law establishing religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, these are states founded on religious principles. This one is not, never has been, and the lack of understanding (or even knowledge) of the text of the Constitution is truly amazing. Of the Ten Commandments, the first four are religious (and the first is in direct opposition to the I Amendment), the strictures on theft, killing, and bearing false witness are crimes in all nations regardless of religious orientation, and adultery is not a crime (though it is certainly a breach of trust). Where is this "based on religion" that everyone here is speaking of? Are we looking at two different Constitutions? The one I swore to uphold and defend makes no mention of religion, except in the context that one will not be established."
  • -3 +23 -26 a r jones Jul. 24, 2011
    "yes because we are a country that was once founded on the principles of GOD."
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  • -3 +27 -30 H Rae Jul. 15, 2011
    "It was God who brought forth the nation and will preserve us a nation. If our coins, dollar bills, and license plates say "under God," our pledge of allegiance should too."
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    • 0 0 0 hiuno Apr. 28, 2012
      "The simple answer to your statement is that these are all wrong. Under our constitution there shouild be no mention of god in the public sphere, which includes all money, license plates all"prayers" before public governmental meetings, etc. If you do your reseach, you will find that the US was NOT founded as a Christian nation, though most oif the founders were practicing Christians. I say this as a practicing Christian who believes we are all free to practice our faith as we wish, but all matters governmentally related should be, as constitutionally stated, free of any religion or religious statements."
  • -3 +27 -30 phil Jun. 26, 2011
    "yes im tired of people getting worried about offening others it offends me to omit in God we trust"
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  • -3 +23 -26 Bobby Stovall Jun. 24, 2011
    "Our for fathers put in and it was how our contry was founded. So why is it under question now?"
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    • +5 +6 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "History FAIL.

      The original Pledge was written long after our Founding Fathers, and it did NOT include "Under God"."
  • -3 +76 -79 linda Jun. 23, 2011
    "Our country was founded under GOD. And under GOD should stay in the US Pledge of Allegiance."
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    • +10 +16 -6 John Sep. 13, 2011
      "No, it wasn't. If you bother to look at the constitution, you may find that the United States is rather religion neutral. In fact, the first amendment includes this little tidbit, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." In fact, many of the founding fathers were not even Christian. Now maybe Christian ideals did find there way into the constitution, and Christianity has played a large part in our history. But, that doesn't mean that we can just ignore the principles that our nation was founded on. In our very constitution, we try to avoid religious favoritism, and using under god in the Pledge of Allegiance goes against this."
    • +4 +9 -5 Chase Oct. 18, 2011
      "What makes you think that religion is all high and mighty and perfect, in fact it is anything but! More people have died because of religion then anything else, the crusades? WW2? along with almost every war fought between iraq and isrial, and almost every battle in and before the dark ages."
    • +1 +2 -1 Jay Mar. 16, 2012
      "Our country wasnt found "UNDER GOD"! Technically speaking and check your history; We made for a example the cherokee nation sign a treaty to give their land to us but we forced them, tortured them and abused them. We promises them food, shelter, and care but what we do when they signed it over.. made them suffer. So you tell me, is that under god??"
    • -1 +3 -4 Brennen Nov. 30, 2011
      "I believe in this completely. puritans came and made this a freedom of religion country. It doesnt have to mean Jesus as god. it could be talking about other religions deities too."
    • -3 +5 -8 Bo Sep. 22, 2011
      "You are right, the country was founded on Christian values. Those who came wanted religious freedom. (Christians and atheist) But later was when they sperated the church and state. But yes this country was founded on Christianity."
  • -3 +37 -40 celinda okwuosa Jun. 23, 2011
    "yes, if we continue eliminating all the core principals upon which this country was founded, we might as well start with the every thing our forefathers wrote and change them whenever a radical group feels it needs to be change. i believe these past two generations has produced a group of people who just did not have the parental teaching that people 50 and older had. a lot of americans did not have the "things" or access to them, but some how we got along. i don't remember complaining about not having the lastest fashion, or complaining about my parents at all. it just was not the right thing to do. our parents sat down and talked with us about responsiblity and the consequences of choices we make in life. they taught us the ethics of work, morality, integrity and the strength in unity and the compassion in sharing and helping those who were less fortunate. but this generation all they do as ask for stuff, and act out when they don't get it. it is time for americans to say enough is enough. when this country's values and principles become to disconserting, then may you should find some other country to live in. you can make your pick from hundreds of radical, godless countries out there."
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    • +2 +3 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Many of the Founding Fathers were not Christian.

      BTW, the people who are 50 and older did not have to recite "Under God" in the Pledge."
    • +1 +2 -1 Colleen Dec. 5, 2011
      "Perfect example of radical religion - the words "under God" had been added to the pledge within the last two generations - 1954 - so Celinda is correct that since "under God" has been added to the pledge, our Country's values have gone downhill!"
  • -4 +2 -6 Dusty Daniels Mar. 4, 2013
    "when I was younger my mom always told me that when a bad word was in a song, to make it good and put your own word in its place. Why cant people just come up with their own words to put there instead of making those that are for it not get the privilege of saying it in school?"
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  • -4 +9 -13 Cindy Douglas Nov. 3, 2012
    "Put God back in our schools and a moment of prayer, EVERY DAY, would be a PRO as well. "Under God" is a must in the Pledge of Allegiance!"
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    • +4 +5 -1 Highschool Atheist Nov. 16, 2012
      "My response to your stupidity is simply the first line of the constitution "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion""
    • 0 0 0 James May. 18, 2013
      "I thought Christians claimed God was omnipresent and omnipotent? If that is true he is in the schools, no law withstanding. There is no ban on prayer in school. There is a ban on Government-led, Government-written prayers in school. Perhaps you would be happy with some prayers from the Koran, or perhaps the Rosary, or maybe a Buddhist chant? A Hare Krishna? What prayer would you have the children say? And in the instant that the government determines that prayer, freedom of religion is dead. It should not take an atheist to have to point this out, nor point out it was a Baptist church that first argued for freedom of religion in the Bill of Rights, to prevent that exact government interference in the free exercise of religion, nor should it take an atheist to point out that Jesus stated that when you pray, do it in secret, not like the hypocrites in the public square - they already have their reward."
  • -4 +16 -20 Victor Sep. 4, 2012
    "Christianity is Not a Religion it is the truth. Please read this and know that this is not a lie, God loves us as he loved his one and only son. There is no proof that God, Jesus, and the Holy spirit is not true, and there are a whole lot of theory s' that it is, they have not been proven wrong. So why should we deny the truth?"
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    • +2 +2 0 Highschool Atheist Nov. 16, 2012
      "Because we have a separtion of chruch and state in governement. God's truth is YOUR opinion not everyones. Which is why we have separation of state because everyone has a different religion and if we intergrated religion and government as soon as an person of a different religion was elected you would be forced to that religion. So be thankful that religion and state are seperate"
    • -1 0 -1 John C. Fletcher Jan. 23, 2013
      "although I agree with you, this point means absolutely nothing to those who want the "under God" out of the pledge or even those on the fence.

      Plus this debate/argument now started can never have any where near a definative conclusion because all this stuff is based on mericals and so atheist won't believe and christians will try to prove their point of view with mericals and God's perfect power."
    • -1 +1 -2 agnostic Oct. 1, 2012
      "In the words of Christopher Hitchens, "Which is more likely ?(when talking about the "virgin" birth) That the whole natural order is stopped, or that a Jewish monk shall tell a lie."
    • -1 +2 -3 6Jackson66 Sep. 12, 2012
      "However there is proof that you can't get pregnant without having sex. Therefore Jesus was not the son of god, he is the son of a lying women, who couldn't own up to god and tell him that he wasn' satisfying enough so she cheated on him."
    • -2 0 -2 Willy the Wonka Dec. 18, 2012
      "Thank you for commenting this you just enlightend my day!!!!"
  • -4 +3 -7 David Apr. 22, 2012
    "If u can't pledge to the flag the way our forefathers did then that is disrespectful... That flag is why you have you're rights and you don't even have to say it. Under god should remain and I'm agnostic."
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    • +3 +3 0 Your Forefather May. 6, 2012
      "Really actually our forefathers did under god was instituted in 1954 nd was in flag code of 1942 so that means your forefathers did say it as they went off to war... Unless you are over 70 years old that is."
    • +2 +3 -1 TJxMcCalmont May. 4, 2012
      "Our forefathers did NOT pledge to the flag with the words "under God" in it. ALL of the forefathers were dead before "under God" was even put into the pledge."
  • -4 +7 -11 James G Mar. 21, 2012
    "When the wicked are removed from the presence of civil leaders, the government will be established in righteousness. Prov. 25:5. Yes I believe in the Holy Bible and a government that stands with God."
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  • -4 +12 -16 will Mar. 15, 2012
    "The words mean something to me and my peers. I really don't know any atheists, and of the ones I do know, they don't give a freaking banana."
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    • 0 +1 -1 Mel May. 31, 2012
      "Well I'm an athiest and it makes a whole lot of freaking bananas to me!"
  • -4 +5 -9 JSM Mar. 13, 2012
    "The founding fathers based the constitution on the fact that God made all and that he is our leader, why should we take that away over two words that thousands of people say everyday without thinking twice about saying the words "Under God""
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  • -4 +10 -14 ELIJAH HARRIS Mar. 6, 2012
    "we still live under god so all of u people need stop worshiping idols and realize that he is the one true god those gods and godess' aren't real and u need to wake up and relize that"
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  • -4 +9 -13 elijah harris Mar. 1, 2012
    "i think we should keep the under god part in the plegde because we live under him and we wouldnt be here if it were not for him now how bout that now i think i understand why people dont believe in him i get it and i respect i am just saying keep it"
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  • -4 +9 -13 Ananymous Feb. 26, 2012
    "Yes. Our country was established upon Christianity. If not for the religion our country would not be. Remember the manifest destiny. God helped our country spread from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific ocean. Of course people from other countries with other religions would not want our country to be under God, they're not Americans. Also, under god does not highlight only Christianity. Muslims address their god by saying god as well as Jews, some other religions."
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  • -4 +14 -18 Jeremy Feb. 20, 2012
    "Yes, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God"
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  • -4 +14 -18 none Feb. 14, 2012
    "This country was founded under God and should stay under God."
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  • -4 +11 -15 ROBIN- BOY WONDER Feb. 9, 2012
    "i THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA FOR CHILDREN,WOMEN ,AND MEN TO RECITE THESE WORDS AT SCHOOL,BALLGAMES,ETC BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY FIRST AGREED UPON"
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  • -4 +8 -12 Mari Feb. 3, 2012
    "Freedom of religon!!! seriously"
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  • -4 +10 -14 Sammie W Jan. 26, 2012
    "i think yea it should be in the plage of allegince because everybody stairs at the falgevryday at school and it is to honor the people that died and jesus died on the cross for you and your sins and i think that his name should be in there and it wouldnt sound right for it not to be in there because you were raised to say under god in the plage of allegince so i think it would only be right if is stayed in the plage of allegince!!!!!!!"
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    • +5 +5 0 Jonathan Rung Apr. 13, 2012
      "But that's the point - many Americans DON'T believe in Jesus (or Allah, or Thor, or Zeus) And some of us find the Bible's calls for genocide, murder, rape, slavery, etc, unsettling and denigrating to our great country. I'm not trying to be smug, try to take those words at face value."
    • -3 +1 -4 alisha burdette Jan. 30, 2012
      "that is so right samantha the words should be in the plegde"
  • -4 +51 -55 smitty Jan. 17, 2012
    "yes because the united states was found under the christian religion"
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    • +11 +11 0 andy Mar. 1, 2012
      "Read the Treaty of Tripoli and you won't say that again."
    • +5 +5 0 JFrank Jul. 9, 2012
      "No it wasn't. Most of the participants were not Christians, and the writer himself, Thomas Jefferson was NOT a Christian. He was a Deist.

      Sorry, you're wrong."
    • +2 +2 0 anthony May. 20, 2012
      "This country also used to force blacks to be slaves and women weren't equals. Should we not change that too?"
    • +1 +1 0 Robert Kline Jul. 13, 2012
      "No, the United States was founded by Catholics who were escaping persecution of certain sects of Christianity in England."
    • +1 +1 0 Malone Jul. 4, 2012
      "Show me where it says this in the Constitution."
  • -4 +16 -20 linda Dec. 12, 2011
    "Yes there shouldnt be any problem say the pledge in schools. Whats next? Telling us Americans we can't fly our flag?"
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    • +2 +2 0 brendan Feb. 23, 2012
      "it is about god not the american flag... think lindy, the American country is founded on freedom of speech not to be forced to say our pledge to our country to your god"
  • -4 +14 -18 JDH Dec. 2, 2011
    "'But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. ' Matthew 10:33.

    Jesus loves you no matter what you think about the Pledge of Allegiance. After all, your true pledge should be to Him and not to a flag."
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  • -4 +29 -33 Alexander Aug. 8, 2011
    "I am whole hardly in favor of having Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. We are a Christian nation founded on Biblical values since our inception. We must remain a Christian nation always and never stand devided as what is happening lately. We must value our Christian heritage and teach them to our children and grandchildren. The Aithiests have thier opinion but they are completely wrong in their way of thinking and they can`t change the fact that we were founded with Biblical values in the forefront by our founding father`s and they can`t change that no matter what they say. Thier opinion is flawed and they need the prayers of the Christian community so they can have a change of heart and let the light of Jesus to shine in their hearts and not oppose our Christian values and heritage and unite with us in a common cause to save the moral values of our nation or our nation will be lost to immorality and perversion with no sense of right and wrong."
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    • +5 +5 0 Alex Sep. 14, 2011
      "You are what people call a "Jesus Freak" this country wasnt founded just on Christianity it was funded on the thought of Freedom and the Rights of Man"
    • +3 +3 0 Dominic Sep. 30, 2011
      "With respect, it's not just atheists, as I keep having to say. In addition, we are in no way a "Christian Nation". That's where separation of church and state comes in. To keep religion out of politics, and politics out of religion. I thank you for your prayers, but I have chosen my path. Perhaps I shall turn from it, perhaps not, but for now, pray not for converts, but for unity of our nation and peace in our world."
    • 0 +1 -1 S.P.A Nov. 29, 2011
      "You tell every one that you are good person but in realitly you force your false religon on other people."
  • -4 +30 -34 M Jul. 13, 2011
    "If you go up to an al-queda member and say "Hey you, God doesn't exist. Your bombing buddies died for nothing and you stand for nothing," you'll get killed. Since the Holocausts, no one really wants to try to make fun of Jewish people or do anything to offend them in general. Not that they don't have a good reason, as it was a terrible thing. So we link this statement with the Christian God. However, when you say this, you are mocking Jews and Muslims as if their belief of God is inferior and not a threat to be dealt with. "Seperation of church and state". Hey buddy, WHICH ONE! Why do we not act like the God said isn't one respected by all other religions. Athesism is not a religion, it is the absence of religion. Therefore, in no way is this a violation of the first Amendment as it includes all religions. Even polytheistic religions believe that their gods come together to form God."
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    • +3 +3 0 Nikolay Nov. 28, 2011
      "I would like to know which polytheistic religions you are referring to with this comment, as your general statement is not true. Native American religions, and Pagan religions do not believe that their deities form the christian God, that very statement, by nature, is completely incorrect. The separation of church and state is from any and all religions."
    • +3 +3 0 James Nov. 16, 2011
      "This argument makes absolutely no sense"
  • -4 +30 -34 HUGHIE Jun. 29, 2011
    "YES. AND IN GOD WE TRUST ON ALL COINAGE"
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    • -3 0 -3 Elijah Harris Mar. 6, 2012
      "right on"
  • -4 +43 -47 R Jun. 26, 2011
    "This phrase 'under God' lets us and our Government that we are subject to something greater than ourselves."
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  • -4 +23 -27 bfrank Jun. 25, 2011
    "You can't change the facts, so why change the words? Really? That's like a slap in the face to our history! It isn't pretty, but who's is? Always wanting to change people to "your" liking make's me sick. Just erase it all if you erase some. History is meaningless, Really?"
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    • +3 +3 0 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "Bfrank.
      What are the facts, exactly? Do tell."
    • 0 0 0 Pinkie Pie Feb. 21, 2013
      "People like you changed the Declaration of Independence to your liking, but now when we try to revert it back it's sickening? According to you, "Under God" in the Pledge Of Allegiance has become a part of our nation's history after a few decades? Under God and Indivisible together are an oximoron due to the large number of atheists such as myself in this country."
  • -4 +22 -26 karen Jun. 24, 2011
    "Those words have been part of our Pledge of Allegiance since the beginning and I don't think we should dismantle it because of those uber-sensitive who think we are corrupting our children. I am agnostic myself, but it does not offend me to recite those words."
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    • +3 +3 0 hiuno Apr. 28, 2012
      "PLEASE get your facts straight. "Under god" was added in the 50s as a political gesture."
    • +3 +4 -1 Paint Oct. 20, 2011
      "You Christians are raising my blood pressure, I need to stop reading these."
    • +3 +4 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Those words have only been part of our Pledge of Allegiance since the beginning of the McCarthy paranoia. Get your history straight. We fought two world wars without our soldiers having to pledge allegiance to any deities."
  • -4 +38 -42 Barbara Allen Jun. 24, 2011
    "The United States of America has been and still is a nation under God. As a nation, we would not have enjoyed the freedom that we have had if it were not for God and those who believe in someone greater than themselves. We pray and seek guidance from God for our leaders, neighbors, families, friends and yes, even our enemies. We, as human beings are not perfect, yet, we can continue to strive to improve ourselves and our neighbors, through unconditional love along with a strong belief in God. Americans should never forget that God has blessed us abundantly, but we could lose everything when we begin to believe that we did it on our own. Should that happen, it would be a sad commentary. We can learn from other nations and people, who left God out of their lives or erased God from their memories. I'm not sure what NBC was thinking when they had children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as a version minus "under God." Since when do we practice such misuse of the airwaves by offering an incorrect version of our Pledge of Allegiance? What message does that send to our children, who are the future leaders of this nation. We must retain "under God" in our pledge of allegiance!"
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    • +4 +5 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Using your logic, if you can call it that, the Pledge was "incorrect" for most of this country's history. The "Under God" was only injected into the Pledge during the McCarthy paranoia."
  • -4 +29 -33 Rick Jun. 20, 2011
    "This is why the U.S is in Moral and Financial decline. The misguided efforts to please a few is hurting our America. One example: We took GOD out of our schools, look at the mess. We need to put GOD back in our lives not out of them."
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    • +3 +5 -2 Amber Jun. 23, 2011
      "Why should God be put back in our schools when all children and their families are not christian and do not believe in the same god. How would this foster a good learning environment? It would not. Allow the individual freedoms including freedom of religion. God will never be put back in schools sorry about your bad luck!"
  • -5 0 -5 cody Feb. 12, 2013
    "who cares!!! why bother with it if it doesn't impact your daily life? its just a phrase. people just want to complain. how stupid."
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    • 0 0 0 James May. 17, 2013
      "It impacts my daily life every time our village board holds its monthly meeting and I am required as a village trustee to swear allegiance to a particular deity in which I do not believe, instead of the country and town I was elected to serve. For any self-respecting Christian that claims that it can mean "any god," I would note that the Knights of Columbus promotion campaign to add it to the pledge did not envision Thor or Krishna when they were promoting the idea. I would also note the original pledge was written by a Baptist minister, as a secular pledge (because at the time Baptists still were a minority in the country). Bear in mind it was Baptists that insisted on the religious freedom clause in the I Amendment when it was written, to keep government from meddling in religion; that protection works both ways. Tear it out in peril of your own religious freedom. There is no need to include a divisive religious remark in a patriotic affirmation, and yes many of us are still alive from the time before those words were added."
  • -5 +4 -9 Ben Peters Oct. 24, 2012
    "You don't have to say it if you don't want to. All the phrase does is make some people feel patriotic."
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  • -5 +1 -6 DMyatt Jul. 1, 2012
    "I am tired of the atheists in this country. Our country was founded on the premise of "One Nation Under God" and that's why the phrase was added to the pledge. I am tired of the Freedoms our country was founded on being taken away by the few morons who cannot understand that there is something better then them. What are you so afraid of that you need to attack the foundation of our world."
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  • -5 +1 -6 Lorrie Apr. 18, 2012
    "The words "Under God" should not be removed from the pledge of allegiance. This country was founded by men and women who wanted to be able to worship God freely. It was a Christian country, even though the 1st amendment states freedom of religion. And it still does. The country can be religious without persecuting those who do not believe the same, and that's exactly how it is. No one is punished for believing whatever they want, they are free to worship when, how, where, and who they want. but they should NOT have the freedom to change our country's background. Our currency has 'in God we trust' on it, our forefathers were christian men who feared God. That is how our country rose to be the greatest, most powerful country in the world. Now that our country is starting to turn its back on God, look what has happened. Crime, divorce, drug, and suicide rates have all risen. Not to mention the country has been surpassed by many countries, is in trillions of dollars of debt, and is pretty much owned by China. In other words it all comes down to this, this country was at its peak when it feared God. Ever since, it has gone downhill"
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    • +1 +1 0 TJxMcCalmont May. 4, 2012
      "This country was not a christian country in any way shape or form. Its funny how all of you "Believers" are actually just blinded by this religion and probably couldn't even tell me what the bible even contains.... So stupid."
  • -5 +34 -39 haley Oct. 26, 2011
    "they should leave this country if they dont like it"
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    • +6 +7 -1 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "Freedom of religion.
      Go find a religious country if you don't like it.
      Kbye."
    • +2 +5 -3 Rory Nov. 16, 2011
      "Well then, you can leave the country when it gets taken out. Bye."
    • +1 +2 -1 ESME Apr. 14, 2012
      "its really stupid and immature when i see a coment like this because all people see when you say something like this is how "superior" you see yourself, so much that you would tell someone to leave the country because of it. GROW UP AND FIND A REAL REASON!! AND IF YOU CANT THEN LEAVE THIS COUNTRY!"
    • -6 +1 -7 Kassandra Dec. 2, 2011
      "Amen!!!"
  • -5 +11 -16 Lori Hurley Oct. 22, 2011
    "I am pro for the simple fact that we live in a country where 80% of the people claim to be Christian. As Christians it seems as though we have turned our backs on Jesus and his teachings. We have allowed the Lord to be taken out of almost every aspect including the "Happy Holiday" wishes from Wal*Mart greeters. It's time to take a stand for what we believe, Christians; UNDER GOD should stay in out Pledge!"
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    • -1 +1 -2 jeff Nov. 1, 2011
      "true that!"
  • -5 +11 -16 Hannah Oct. 6, 2011
    "I believe that our nation was based on godly principles and founded by men who followed God's word. They founded this nation so themselves and others could worship god's name. So why would it be crazy to have the name of the one thing that motivated them the most to start this nation, in their nations pledge."
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  • -5 +11 -16 Rees Sep. 29, 2011
    "I believe that by pledging allegiance under God is only saying that we pledge under his Holy name, in his presence as a sort of binding to our country. If you dont really believe in Him then it shouldn't matter to you but you still should pledge yourself in the presence of one higher than yourself"
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  • -5 +26 -31 Glenn Sep. 16, 2011
    "God has ordained the concept of government; read your Bible. Our nation was founded because people wanted to further God's word and honor Him. Read the May Flower Compact, the original one, not the one that this culture has re-written. We as a nation have strayed far away from God and are re-writing history, writing God out of it.
    We as a nation need to take heed, come back to our founding principals before it is too late and God removes our lampstand (Revelations chapters 2 & 3)."
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    • +3 +3 0 Lived Jan. 9, 2012
      "I really dislike Bible pushers.

      /sigh."
    • +2 +2 0 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "Glenn.
      I don't own a Bible, care to lend me yours?"
    • +2 +2 0 Lily Nov. 16, 2011
      "We as a nation have this little thing in the Constitution called the First Amendment that says every citizen has freedom of religion. I don't have to believe in your God anymore than you have to believe there is no God. Your argument is invaild."
  • -5 +35 -40 Jessica H. Jul. 1, 2011
    "If you don't believe in God don't say the Pledge of Allegiance."
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  • -5 +20 -25 Jerri Jun. 23, 2011
    "Absolutely!! This country was founded on God."
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    • +7 +8 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Our founding document, the Constitution, has no mention of God. In fact, it explicitly prohibits any religious test for public service.

      History FAIL!"
    • 0 +1 -1 MeanBean Mar. 16, 2012
      "@nondescript I bet these people are way younger than you are, and btw, nobody thinks your 'History FAIL!" is all that funny, frankly we think it's as annoying as hell."
  • -5 +20 -25 Austin Jun. 22, 2011
    "Our nation was founded by Christians seeking religious freedon. The first congresses were mostly pastors, today mostly lawyers. We should reinforce where we came from rather than the pagans, atheists, and agnostics who would go back to the old Europe our ancestors left behind."
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    • +3 +4 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Sorry, but your history is a bit skewed.

      Most of the original settlers came to this country for opportunity, not religious freedom. It was difficult to own land back then and this was a whole country with free land.

      When the first settlers came to this country, they set up religious dictatorships. You could be killed for not following the "correct" religion in different areas. This is one reason God was left out of the Constitution.

      Many of our Founding Fathers were not Christian, and had interesting opinions on the damage of religion. If you were going to bar this country from non-Christians, then you would exclude many famous people of American history.

      Pagans, atheists, and agnostics are as much American as anybody else here. Our ancestors left behind a Christian monarchy in old Europe, BTW."
  • -6 0 -6 Dominic Feb. 18, 2013
    "i think it shouldent be in the pledge because there is other religions and people out in the U.S and the pledge might afend them and make them not like the U.S and that should be the start of certant groups like the KKK."
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  • -6 +2 -8 Stephanie Nov. 13, 2012
    "No comments just YES"
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  • -6 +2 -8 Kevin Jul. 4, 2012
    "Majority supports the phrase as do I."
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    • +2 +2 0 A Theist Jul. 23, 2012
      "So you basically just do everything everyone else does?"
  • -6 +4 -10 I'm a proud American May. 2, 2012
    "Why is it always the minority that we must conform to and please? If 80% or more support the phrase "under God" and 20% or less do not, why should we get rid of it? God is the foundation of this country and the Pledge is a way to remind us all of that. If you dislike it so strongly, then either don't say it or move to another country where they do not say it. Majority rules."
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    • +3 +3 0 TJxMcCalmont May. 6, 2012
      "Because it's unconstitutional! If you were a "proud" american, you would understand and respect that. Everyone can do their religious thing on their own time, why make it a part of an atheists time? There is no need for it in the pledge."
    • +1 +1 0 Max Nov. 23, 2012
      "You are incredibly selfish. The Pledge of Allegiance should be something that everyone should be comfortable saying, not just "the majority." What you're saying is like saying, "We shouldn't have ramps for people with wheelchairs because the majority of people can walk. Majority rules."
      And by the way, the country was found on the basis of equality and freedom, which includes freedom of religion, not Christianity. I don't know about you, but it worries me when a country violates one of the first laws it ever passed (freedom of religion)."
    • 0 0 0 Pinkie Pie Feb. 21, 2013
      "We're pleasing the constitution, not the majority. It doesn't matter if 95% of America wants to own slaves, it's unconstitutional. You can't merely push the atheists out of America simply because most Americans think that saying "Under God" works with the constitution."
  • -7 +5 -12 ohwell Apr. 4, 2012
    "If it ain't broke, don't fix it... Yeah they might of added it in 1954, but when you get a working time machine and can change the past events then call me okay? Under God only offends the people who just want to see things go to s**t... If you hate it so much then whenever you say the pledge don't say under God... enough said"
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  • -7 +7 -14 Kelldawg Feb. 23, 2012
    "YES THEY SHOULD."
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  • -7 +10 -17 Ike Feb. 17, 2012
    "Yes, because with out God, there is NO America"
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  • -7 +22 -29 Alexander Jun. 23, 2011
    "Our Government has been founded on Christian values. The first Founder`s of our Natian were Christian Ministers. The Core principles of the Bible permiate are entire Government. Our most important documents have wording that come from the Bible. Our morality and the Justice system are based on The Ten Commandments. We are a Christian Nation to the Core Roots and always will be if we want to remain a Free Democratic Nation."
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  • -7 +21 -28 Herb Noes Jun. 23, 2011
    "Yes, we need to stay connected to some sort of moral standard and with God blessing this country we should not turn our backs on Him."
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    • +4 +5 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Atheists are just as moral as religious people, maybe more.

      If you want to see a group with a much higher percentage of Christians and much less percentage of atheists, you just have to go to your local prison."
  • -7 +27 -34 Preston May. 1, 2011
    "In a time when Communism was putting their gov't above God, The United States Reaffirmed that their Govt is under God. i.e. No US govt will establish a religion nor prevent you from practicing a religion since the Govt is beneath God."
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    • +2 +2 0 Jerri Jul. 8, 2011
      "In actuality, when England was trying to force the Catholic church on every countryman, the country wanted the "Freedom" to choose that for themselves. So when America was "discovered" the countrymen here made sure that we HAVE the "Freedom" of religion in this country!"
  • -8 +16 -24 Millie Jun. 20, 2011
    "I was so proud when I was in school to hold the flag while we said The Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think you have done to this class room for not showing the whole
    Pledge of Allegiance they did. I'm 71 and still remember
    how proud I was and still am of saying this every morning
    after the bell"
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    • +2 +2 0 Colleen Dec. 5, 2011
      "Why should you be proud for saying the Pledge when it did not contain the words "under God?" Were all the people who said the pledge prior to 1954 unpatriotic? Don't insult the generations who recited it before the phrase was added."
  • -9 +17 -26 Mike Five Jun. 24, 2011
    "Since it is a governmental thing, then no. I'm OK with it being there, though. It's a bit of a trivial matter. Where does NBC get of censoring what was supposed to be a newscast?"
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  • -9 +15 -24 Sky May. 21, 2011
    "The point of the saying " under god " is to show what our nation stands for. If people come and say we should change it why should we listen to them. They came to our nation and thats what most of us believe in if they don't like it then fine, you don't have to say it. We are giving you a choice to say it or not. We give you the right to practice your religion. In Japan, there government wants them to practice just one religion that they believe in. In the United States we Give you a choice. You can take it or go back to your original country. Just don't discriminate what we believe in as a whole. That's all we want."
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    • +6 +6 0 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Oh, really? I thought our nation stood for a group of diverse people who united into an "indivisible" nation, not one that shows favoritism to those who worship deities.

      A choice to say it or not is like a choice to ride the bus or not if you don't like sitting in back. Either way, it is bigotry."
  • -9 +32 -41 Jeff May. 5, 2011
    "I am atheist myself yet think "under god" should stay in our Pledge of Allegiance because if it wasn't for "God" the United States might not exist. Because of protestant religions the United States exists today"
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  • -12 +25 -37 Sydney Gates May. 2, 2011
    "i think that under God should remain in our pledge because without God our country would not be what it is today and for people that dont like it they are not forced to say it."
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  • -13 +13 -26 cballens Jun. 24, 2011
    "We are a nation formed by men of faith, reflecting the Creator. The words "under God" give allegiance to Him, which has become very necessary in our current world."
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  • -13 +12 -25 Hock Jun. 24, 2011
    "This is our country We like it the way it is NOW. We don't need or want to change now. All that is needed is to keep being a GOD fearing nation."
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    • +3 +3 0 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "I'm part of this country.
      I don't like it.
      I want to change it.
      Make sense?
      Look up the word, "equality"."
    • +2 +2 0 Colleen Dec. 5, 2011
      "So you insult my ancestors who prior to 1954 said the pledge without the added words "under God." My grandfather who fought in WW1 said the pledge before those words were added. Shame on you."
  • -13 +11 -24 Jean Murphy Jun. 23, 2011
    "God should be everywhere in our great America. Whether it's on our money, in our Pledge, prayers in school, saying Merry Christmas, the nativity scene, crosses in all cemeteries, sayings on our historical buildings. ALL OF IT. This United States was built on God's love & belief. It should always be that way."
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    • +4 +4 0 Wolf Jul. 26, 2011
      "I'm a Christian, but the "God is on my side" argument is getting rather worn out. One needs to look no further than the Crusades. In fact, you only need to look at the Civil War - both sides claimed God was on their side. I like the way Lincoln put it: "BOTH sides MAY and ONE side MUST be wrong.""
    • +3 +5 -2 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Gee, next you'll want God in the Constitution.

      (Yep, it is not anywhere in there.)

      FAIL"
    • -5 0 -5 Jean Murphy Jul. 8, 2011
      "God is everywhere whether you like it or not, nondescript. Without God, our country will end up like Russia. I will never fail with God on my side. Which means, if you don't side with God, you fail."
  • -13 +10 -23 Debbie Jun. 23, 2011
    "I do believe that "under God" should be left in the US Pledge of Allegiance. Our Country was founded by those that wanted the freedom to worship God in what ever way that they wanted to with out be persecuted. Those that did not believe were also left alone. This great country was a garden for those that came here and we need to keep that way less we turn our nation into a desert like the middle east."
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    • +3 +3 0 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "How about freedom for those that don't believe in your superstitions?

      Sorry, but equality means equality for everybody, not just those who worship gods."
  • -14 +16 -30 Bob Jun. 20, 2011
    "Did it ever occur to ANYONE maybe there is a God to be under? That maybe the Bible isn't some fairy tale? That maybe there is a higher power?"
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    • +7 +10 -3 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Yes, I considered the possibility. Then I came to my senses.

      So, does your belief in fairy tales mean you can force me to pledge to your god? I don't think so.

      Last time I looked, we were supposed to be a nation where everybody had the right to believe or not believe what they want."
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "i value my freedom sir, even your bible states we were given free will, I guess we should all be mindless slaves obeying a book, btw lemme go stone to death a couple of disobediant children and whores, and innocent people. after all god told us to do so in the bible"
  • -14 +23 -37 Josh May. 12, 2011
    "Hey I got an idea. Let's stop complaining that two words are offensive and instead go and cure cancer? If we spend as much time as we do protesting that two words are unpatriotic and offensive on something productive, we could stop global warming. Let's just accept this thing and get on with life!"
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    • +6 +7 -1 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "If you really don't care about those two words, then you won't mind if we remove them. Good.

      There's no reason we can't keep working on other issues while we're tackling this one. Personally, I think that reducing this country to a theocracy would hinder any attempt to cure cancer and stop global warming. Have you noticed that the same people who are so zealous for "Under God" in the Pledge are against science?"
    • +6 +7 -1 Donald Cole Jun. 13, 2011
      "We can cure cancer, when we get the people who believe in bronze age myths about invisible men in the sky off of the planet. ;)"
  • -14 +35 -49 Jack Apr. 28, 2011
    "The phrase 'under God' acts as a limit on what is otherwise an unlimited promise of allegiance to a state. Without 'under God' the pledge becomes a promise to support whatever the current policies of the government are. With 'under God' included, I can comfortably recite the pledge knowing that when the government adopts some policy that is contrary to the 'Laws of Nature and of Nature's God' I can reject the policy without breaking my promise. Unlimited allegiance to a state is not a good thing, as the historic examples of World War II show us. The United States is not guiltless on this score either. In my own life the government has carried laws on the books that were unfair to blacks, to women, to the native inhabitants of this continent. Our current policy on interrogation by torture of supposed enemy combatants seems to be another example.

    The greatest danger to the exercise of any freedom, religious or otherwise, is the unchecked power of the organized state. The phrase 'under God' acts as a check on that authority. It is a little reminder to those who might tend to abuse their position that I will not blindly act based on state dictates but will apply other standards when deciding my own actions."
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  • -16 +24 -40 Mike Apr. 28, 2011
    "Whether or not under God was initially meant to mean the Christian God or not, it should not be considered offensive. Though I have grown up in a Christian household, the pledge has never been more to me about God than it is about my allegiance to the State. The phrase 'under God' should not be taken as more than a simple 'common good.' Despite what is heard from radicals and extremists about God's wrath, the majority of world consensus that has any understanding of the word 'God' from the Christian sense is that God is commonly good and supports that which is for the common good of society. So to me as a Christian, the phrase 'under God' is a poetic way of stating 'for the common good.'"
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    • +4 +4 0 DC Johnson Jun. 13, 2011
      "Then let it read as such. "Common good" sounds better than "Under God" anyway."
  • -16 +27 -43 Mary Apr. 28, 2011
    "I believe the words 'under God' should remain in our pledge. This country was founded on solid Christian principals. We have been blessed and became a great nation because we believed and lived up to these principals. The farther we get from our source of greatness which is God, the more morally corrupt we become. Our nation is being destroyed from within as we continue to take God out of our lives."
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    • +3 +3 0 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
      "Atheists are at least as principled as Christians."
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "read your history again, you failed to miss our founding fathers being non christians and also being founded on freedom, you are thinking england, same language totally different country"
  • -19 +15 -34 Ed May. 20, 2011
    "This is controversial when it shouldn't be. "Under God" simply refers to the founding fathers principles for which the nation was founded. You can remove it, but that doesn't change the fact that it was founded with that in mind.

    If I recite the pledge, the "Under God" part is not reflectant on my own personal religious beliefs. Its a pledge to my country with an acknowledgement that it was founded "Under God"..... not by me, but our founding fathers.

    Isn't God an all encompassing term anyway? Don't all religions worship to some form of God?

    Most importantly, aren't the ones who recite the POA typically children? I think in a religiously tolerant society, our job is to expose children to a great many things, including religion, if we so choose, but in the end, let them make up their own mind as to what they wish to believe as they grow older.

    When a child recites this, are we really telling them what to believe? I don't think so. I recited it as a child but that did not stop me from choosing what I chose to believe today.

    My point is, out of respect for those who it did matter to when the country was founded, and out of respect and love for the history of my country, I see no reason why it should be removed."
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    • +6 +7 -1 Don Cole Jun. 13, 2011
      "Actually, contrarily, many of the "founding fathers", like Madison, Franklin and Jefferson, were against religious influence in the government, hence THE FIRST SENTENCE of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. ;) I can give you tons of quotes from each of them that state that fact. GOOGLE IT!"
    • +1 +2 -1 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
      "@Don.
      Although I agree with your statement, WHY WHY WHYYYY did you have to add Google it? D: Amg, dood. Google is a horrible resource. </3"
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "1. our founding fathers were deists and also anti christian

      2. the ORIGINAL pledge never included "under god"

      3. do you not know what a pledge is? christian or not You are pledging your eternal allegience to GOD thus breaching our amendment

      4. religions don't all say "god" allah may be a god but they use allah as the pronoun not GOD, christianity is about the only religion that uses the word GOD as the pronoun

      5. no immigrants who acheive citizenship our military are 100% required, our court systems, our bracnhes of government all required to make this pledge.

      6. childrens minds are fragile and they believe almost everything told, so when reciting under god you are impressioning them into a religious faith. this is easily proven by psychologist therapists, etc

      7. our country was founded by deists who believed christianity was making an aggressive attempt to force it's religion upon a nation (england required christianity) thus the MAIN reason to sail to america was for it's freedoms it provided.

      8. out of respect for our entire nation NOT just christians and NOT just religios people "under god" should be removed. Having it removed sets the pledge back to it's historical and correct state."
  • -31 +30 -61 J.D. Apr. 28, 2011
    "The words 'under God' belong in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Further, if the atheists' theory is accepted, would not court action be a form of government promoting the atheists' form of religion?"
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    • +4 +8 -4 Donald Cole Jun. 13, 2011
      "WRONG! "Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting An Establishment of Religion..." That means NO LAW can be made with respect to religion. That's the protection FROM religion."
    • +1 +3 -2 quin Apr. 23, 2012
      "By U.S constitution the U.S. citizen is entitled to both freedom of religion and freedom from it. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…". What the "make no law respecting an establishment of religion" is saying that citizens have the freedom from religion. This is done to separate church from state. that is your freedom from religion. J.D."
    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "freedom of religion as explained simply means you may worship your god as you wish without any outside influence sayign you can or cannot. the under god statement itself breaches this freedom, it is a national pledge something all americans are required to do at one point in life, and immigrants as well, they are forcing us to make a pledge to our nation AND TO GOD. this is influencing us into religion thus opposing my rights.
      Understand? I know it's not perfect explanation but it's a pretty good summary"
  • -74 +32 -106 Sharon Apr. 28, 2011
    "Instead of taking out 'under god,' ADD, 'or not' which gives us 'UNDER GOD OR NOT.' This way their god is in The Pledge so they can't complain of discrimination, we atheists are in there, and children are being taught about choice of belief, inclusion, and tolerance!

    'I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God or not, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'"
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    • 0 0 0 matt Apr. 19, 2013
      "one nation indivisible
      1.Not divisible; unable to be divided or separated.
      your seperating the nation into 2 parts there leaving out the under god leaves us as a whole nation"
    • 0 +7 -7 Mike Five Jun. 24, 2011
      "Well done, Sharon."

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  • +78 +221 -143 Frank Apr. 28, 2011
    "Can an unbeliever be patriotic? Not according to religious conservatives, it seems. They wish, no, they demand that we retain 'under God' in the pledge of allegiance. They want patriotism and faith in God to be a package deal without the option of separation. Thus, unbelievers are deemed unpatriotic. This is a slap in the face to all the atheists, agnostics and other unbelievers who proudly served this country in law enforcement, fire departments and military. Let's make the pledge for all Americans, believers and unbelievers alike. The pledge should not be the exclusive property of the religious."
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    • +23 +26 -3 Victor Greywolf Jan. 4, 2012
      "As Jesse Ventura, the only Atheist I know to be a governor once said, and maybe this will answer the first part of your statement: "Patriotism comes from the heart, you can't force anyone to be a patriot or love their country." The same applies to someone who doesn't believe in the existance of god. Look at the people who protest the military funerals, they claim to believe in god, but they hate our country. Makes no sense, so to answer your question, YES, a patriot can be an Atheist. Hope this helps. It applies, since they have the right to omit the statement under god. Instead, they can say, under the USA instead."
    • +15 +18 -3 C0D3 Jan. 10, 2012
      "@Susan.
      While we're at it, let's take it off our bills too.
      Happy?"
    • +1 +1 0 bill Mar. 15, 2013
      "the pledge isn't exclusively property of religion they are separated under god comes from the time this country was founded and does not require a citizen to be religious"
    • 0 0 0 Q May. 14, 2013
      "Why should the 20% then act against the will of 80% in a democratic society!"
    • 0 +27 -27 Josh Middleton Jun. 22, 2011
      "Under the 1st ammendment, people have the freedom of reliogon. i personally am an athiest and dont believe in any god but i dont mind if "god" is in the pledge, "god" doesnt offend any one, its something a person chooses to follow, it isnt like a person is preaching it out at you in the pledge, our country was founded by christians. why change it? our country is free to have any race or religion, why change it for people who arnt offended by it? is it really that big of a deal to state "god" in a pledge? is it more meaningful with or without it? i wouldnt care if we put "under lil wayne" in the pledge, it doesnt offend any one, just offends attention seeking people."
    • -8 +3 -11 Zechariah Nov. 27, 2012
      "If you believe taking "under God" out of the pledge would make the pledge suitable for all Americans, believers and nonbelievers, you are mistaken. The act of taking the phrase out of the pledge would make the pledge suitable only to nonbelievers. I speak for all believers when I say faith should not be ripped away from our Pledge of Allegiance. If it offends you, don't recite the phrase, but don't ever try to take it away from all believers."
    • -17 +5 -22 xm3r6r Mar. 27, 2012
      "the unbelievers need to start their own country, the believers
      started this one, thank you"
    • -29 +19 -48 Susan Jun. 21, 2011
      "Take a look at your money, do you want to complain about that too? I'll gladly take it off your hands! Wouldn't want you to be offended."
  • +37 +88 -51 Cliff Jan. 22, 2012
    "If "under god" remains, the pledge should be ammended to state, "with liberty and justice for 80%"."
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    • +1 +2 -1 Ron Malibu May. 2, 2013
      "Spot on! Well said cliff."
    • -16 +6 -22 jeff Mar. 27, 2012
      "i think you are right you have no business getting anything from here, you should be a non citizen,."
  • +26 +85 -59 Victor Greywolf Dec. 9, 2011
    "No, because this country has a sepration of church and state, and it violates the rights of the people who are of a religion that doesn't worship god, or for agnostic, Atheists, and freethinkers into conforming to ways that they can't comply to, and shouldn't have to, because people tell them to. Speaking as an Atheist, I say that people shouldn't put that in, because it is imposing a point of view that I shouldn't have to be forced to believe in. After all, isn't that the reason the pilgrims escaped from England? It is also imposing religion, which is wrong."
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  • +22 +54 -32 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
    "I've noticed some pro-people saying, "We can't force our religion on others, but atheists can force theirs on us?"
    Technically speaking, Atheism isn't a religion, just the lack of one. So really, we're not forcing any sort of religion on you, we just want to have yours removed from the Pledge.

    Andddddd, done."
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  • +21 +73 -52 Jim Dec. 17, 2011
    "If people don't say "under god", it doesn't necessarily mean they are atheist or non-Christian. However, if someone does say "under god", then it definitely represents god-based religion. Taking it out shouldn't offend anyone; leaving it it will."
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  • +19 +112 -93 Julia Apr. 28, 2011
    "I was a child when the phrase 'under God' was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. Even I understood that it was being done to differentiate the God-Fearing United States from the Godless Russian State. I resented it at that time and I have not become any fonder of the addition. It is using God as propaganda. God is too sacred to be used as propaganda!"
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  • +15 +43 -28 Victor Greywolf Jan. 11, 2012
    "There seems to be a misconception about the pledge with the words "under god." It isn't and shouldn't be forced to be said, and not saying it doesn't make you anymore patriotic than a person who does. After all, the constitution guarantees us freedom of speech, so logically you can choose to say it, or omit it from your mouth when you say it. It wasn't there until 1950's, with the fear of the communists, and some spineless nutjob put it in there, for whatever reason, same with the currency. As far as the money is concerned, don't pay attention to the part that says in god we trust. Speaking as an Atheist, I personally don't care if it is there or not. It's money, I can use it, and that's all that matters. When I say the pledge, I omit the under god. Maybe for those who don't believe, you can say something like, under the flag, or under the USA. Hope this helps, this way, we can all be happy. If you love America, shouldn't that be the only thing that matters?"
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  • +13 +31 -18 SalGlore Apr. 19, 2012
    "Shouldn't it be a pledge that ALL U.S. citizens are comfortable saying? Doesn't the pledge appear flawed and leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Atheists? Would it be all that different if it said "under a Protestant God?" A pledge should unite not alienate it's people."
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    • -1 0 -1 Sulater Apr. 1, 2013
      "But if you are right then taking it out alienates the believers. Christ said "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" So then the believers would feel that they and our nation are denying God to the world."
  • +12 +23 -11 Shat Apr. 5, 2012
    "Private schools should be allowed to require students to 1) Study creation "science" 2) Sacrifice goats to Shiva 3) Pledge allegiance to the god of christian mythology.

    Public schools, funded by taxpayer dollars, sadly, are not allowed to require these Bronze Age rituals: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

    Damn constitution!"
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    • +1 +1 0 Pamela Apr. 9, 2013
      "Isn't sarcasm grand?"
  • +12 +22 -10 Herbert Medley Mar. 27, 2012
    "Just for whom does the flag wave anyway? The official pledge to it marginalizes many if not most with the 1954 addition of, "One nation under God". When taking the enlistment oath, upon entry to the U.S. military we vets swore to defend the Constitution of the United States, not it's banner. As the 1st Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;." Clearly the Constitution insures primarily freedom "from" religion and only secondarily freedom "of" religion."
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  • +12 +65 -53 Josh May. 27, 2011
    "It is inconceivable to me that the phrase is kept in via the argument that it is not a religious statement. If it is not religious, what is it? Meaningless. And if it is meaningless, then it should not be in the Pledge."
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  • +11 +18 -7 Corey R. May. 30, 2012
    ""under god" implies that the nation as a whole follows this "god" if you do not follow "god" then are you excluded from the nation?"
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    • +1 +1 0 Jenna Wiggins Nov. 16, 2012
      "Why should we change what was written that in return helped form this country and bring it together? Just because not everyone has the same religion? No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to say those words. The pledge is not a promise to God but a pledge to our flag. You only exclude yourself whenever you think that everyone is out to attack your religion. Next thing you know people will be suing other people just for saying Merry Christmas or Have a Blessed day. America is a country of all races and relgions. But she was built not on those different races or religions but on our ability to set aside those differences and come together. indivisible. meaning even though we have our differences, im willing to stand with you my brother or sister of america. People just dont think like that anymore. Sad really Sad."
    • +1 +2 -1 Max Jun. 20, 2012
      "That is the current implication."
    • 0 +1 -1 :D Cristina Jul. 22, 2012
      "Not really. it is just there.. the terms " under god" have no meaning they are just there. it is no big deal if you don't like it then don't say it.. what's the big issue? people will accept everything that is in popular demand and go against anything that is not"
  • +11 +25 -14 babyfat May. 29, 2012
    "My staunch republican Dad always said: "Prayer shouldn't happen in school. If you want pray, go to church. If you want to learn, go to school." I agree. Also, God said in the Bible to not make any "pledges or oaths". We can't trust our leaders to do what's right, they usually do whatever they want."
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  • +11 +21 -10 Laura Mar. 19, 2012
    "As a Quaker, I am prohibited from taking oaths. Further, my religion eschews rituals and symbols, lest they become empty gestures. A daily, rote recititation of a loyalty oath to a symbol and to our borders is a shallow expression of my civic responsibilities and devotion to my community. Last, the phrase, "under God" does not meaningfully describe the relationship or understanding I have with the Divine. I have long refused to recite this pledge, and will discuss this with my children. I feel it is insulting to our intelligence. My father, a proud veteran, felt the same way."
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  • +11 +37 -26 nondescript Jul. 7, 2011
    "No, of course not. The original one was good enough.

    The insertion of "Under God" between "Our nation" and "indivisible" is symbolic of how religion divides this country."
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    • +1 +1 0 Ron Malibu May. 2, 2013
      "The original one was good enough. It was also a magazine contest. It's the equivalent of a caption contest. It it were held today, it might be something to do with Cute Kittez on the internet"
  • +10 +15 -5 John Burnley Aug. 29, 2012
    "It's one nation indivisible. An un-dividable nation with liberty and justice for all. Not an un-divibable nation under god. We are un-dividable because of our patriotism."
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  • +9 +21 -12 Braden Calhoun May. 2, 2012
    "Not every American citizen believes in God. The words "Under God" are pretty much forcing this belief upon everyone, which in itself is unconstitutional."
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    • 0 +1 -1 Grumpy Jan. 26, 2013
      "wrong as the words are, they do not force a belief. what they do force is a declaration that somehow, 180 years after the fact, the foundation of our country was supposed to be god and not its people."
    • 0 +1 -1 Jenna Wiggins Nov. 16, 2012
      "America is a country of all races and relgions. But she was built not on those different races or religions but on our ability to set aside those differences and come together. indivisible. meaning even though we have our differences, im willing to stand with you my brother or sister of america. People just dont think like that anymore. Sad really Sad."
  • +8 +10 -2 f2vmcw Feb. 2, 2013
    "The pledge was written by a Baptist minister, who was also a socialist, in 1892. It was intended as a pledge of loyalty to the symbol of the United States and, therefore, the nation it represents. It included the notion that those who pledge are united in their respect for and support of the country. Adding "under God" indicates the person is also expressing loyalty to God as well, thus seriously diminishing the intent and impact of the original document. It certainly undermines the indivisible part. What's most important, is to do everything possible to ensure our government is secular. The Bush years have given us a glimpse of just how damaging a faith-based government can be."
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  • +6 +10 -4 Jac Aug. 3, 2012
    "I'm a cathloic but after reading the history I believe We are trampling upon the 1st amendment."
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  • +6 +13 -7 Alethea D Jun. 16, 2012
    "'God' is not an irrefutable fact; it is a personal belief, a byproduct of religion which this country was founded on the freedom of, for, or none at all. There is no proof of gods existence and religion and state MUST be separate in order for all US citizens to be included. Taking the phrase out would do absolutely no harm to any religion or practicing religious people in this country, but it would include every citizen without anyone or any belief system being disregarded, disrespected or left out. That is why i feel it must be omitted from the pledge."
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  • +6 +27 -21 Bob B. Dec. 25, 2011
    "No. Keep your religious beliefs out of my government."
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    • -2 +1 -3 jeff Mar. 27, 2012
      "it's obvious by your government that religious beliefs are not in it's thinking, maybe thats why it can't run itself,. lol."
    • -5 +1 -6 sammie w Jan. 30, 2012
      "why do you think that dude? it is messed up. you dont need to keep religious belifs out of the government!!!!"
  • +4 +4 0 Moe Apr. 9, 2013
    "By saying the pledge, involving the words under god, it forces a sense of exclusion to those who are not "under god". the pledge is to unite, not exclude, and the words under god, as well as "the united states of america" should be taken out, back to it's original form, written in1892."
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  • +4 +5 -1 Nikki Apr. 8, 2013
    "I am against it because I am Buddhist so I therefore do not believe in God and also I strongly believe in separation of church and state"
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  • +4 +11 -7 Malone Jul. 4, 2012
    "The only reason it was added to being with was because of the Cold War. It was nothing but another piece of the shameful McCarthy era fear-mongering tactics."
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  • +3 +5 -2 Howard Schulsinger Feb. 28, 2013
    "I was in elementary school when "under god" was added to the pledge. I never added to my recitation of the pledge. This nation was founded on the basis of secularism. That was the intention of the Founding Fathers. Ever since, some zealous religious folks have tried to impose their agenda on others. The insertion of "under god" into the US Pledge of Allegiance is such an example of their success in damaging this nation's moral integrity. The US Pledge of Allegiance should not require citizens to accept Bronze-age mythology. The pledge should be, "I pledge allegiance to the republic of the United States of America, one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all." The pledge is not to a flag; it is to the republic. -- Howard Schulsinger (aka, Austin)

    "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." -- Thomas Jefferson

    "Build up that wall." -- Christopher Hitchens"
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  • +3 +9 -6 Robert Kline Jul. 13, 2012
    "The original anthem did not have the phrase Under God within it. That was something that was added during the Cold War as a way for us to attempt to differentiate us from 'Godless heathens'. As well, the US Constitution states that our Country and Government are to be separate from any and all religions. Therefor, the current existence of the phrase Under God is something that is closer being against our nation's ideals than keeping it, it's just never been changed because a lot of people don't understand why some people want it removed. Also, it's not 'Our' flag, it's the flag of any and all American citizens, not just the ones who happen to believe in the existence of your God or any God for that matter. I believe it should be removed because it was added erroneously in the first place and furthers the misnomer other progressive countries have that we're a backwards and ignorant gathering of bigots and idiots"
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    • +2 +2 0 John Jan. 23, 2013
      "Your right the ANTHEM did not have "under God" in it, it had "God bless America" in it. The pledge didn't have "under God" in it either originally for that matter."
  • +3 +17 -14 Eli Ness Mar. 1, 2012
    "It is disgusting that people argue for this. You are wrong when you say our country was based on Christianity and the ten commandments. You are wrong when you say the founding fathers wanted it to be this way. When you argue that "Under God" should stay in the pledge you are arguing in defense of religious indoctrination and theocratic values."
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    • -5 0 -5 layas Mar. 12, 2012
      "our laws our basically this: dont murder, lie, cheat, do adultry, steal etc. hmmm... guess where thems came from? the ten commandments. your welcome."
  • +3 +32 -29 Bitna Jun. 23, 2011
    "It should be as originally written. Religion should not play into this."
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  • +2 +2 0 James May. 17, 2013
    "One merely run through a search engine "Danbury Baptist" and "Jefferson's Letter" to see why there is a wall of separation between Church and State. The Danbury (Conn.) Baptist Association was concerned the power of government would be used to enforce religious rule. The I Amendment exists just as much to protect religion from the depredations of government as the other way around.

    One can use as a simple rule of thumb the following: if one believes his position is not "religious privilege" then it should be acceptable to substitute any other religious view. For example, in the case of the pledge, how many Christians would object to "One Nation, Under Krishna?"

    The Bill of Rights do not exist to protect majority privilege, the majority do not need protection. They exist to protect the minority from the tyranny of "democracy." Rights are not something one votes on, they are either rights, shared by all, or they are privileges, which those in power confer on others.

    As a (now-disabled) vet, I swore to uphold the Constitution. Not any religious faith. By upholding the Constitution, all of faith may hold the faith they choose, even though I personally feel faith (belief without good evidence) is -not- a virtue."
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  • +2 +2 0 Danni Apr. 12, 2013
    "The phrase "under God" should not be incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance. This country was not founded upon Christianity, as many people conceitedly think. This nation was founded upon freedom, or the pursuit of such. The First Amendment directly prohibits the government from upholding a specific religion. Doesn't the phrase "under God" imply to someone that our country is Christian? Wouldn't that make us a body of hypocrites? Besides, what happened to the phrase "majority rules, minority rights"? Yes, there are lots of Christians in this country. Yes, their religion does fuel some of their actions. But that does not mean that the rest of us - Hindus, homosexuals, non-religious individuals - do not exist anymore. We're still here, and we still have rights."
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  • +2 +3 -1 bn Apr. 10, 2013
    "It is offensive to those who don't believe in god. There are many people who believe in no god or different types of gods. The founding fathers specifically made a godless constitution and keeping god out of government it essential. Religion has a habit of incorporating cult activities and hatred for others outside their click. I also believe it was in 1948 that Louis bowman inserted, "under God" And then Eisenhower made it official in 1954. If I am not mistaken it was in response to the perceived threat of communism. The Christian Reich is constantly trying to state that the us was founded on their principles when it was not. In fact, the Christian clergy was dead set against Thomas Jefferson because of his views and statements on Christians. I think it was Thomas Paine who people called the "father of the American revolution?" Until he wrote a book on his beliefs of deism criticizing Christians. I believe it was called age of reason. Anyway after that Christians in their usual clickish way ostracized him and he died as an outcast. He was an extremely brilliant man. Just goes to show you why so many free thinkers crafted the constitution"
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  • +2 +5 -3 jesus Apr. 5, 2013
    "come on guys, even i think its bad"
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    • 0 0 0 Moe Apr. 10, 2013
      "by using the handle name jesus, you are not only disrespecting Jesus himself, but believers. i, personally, am not a believer of anything, but i believe that respecting other religion is the first step to disapprove of something involving religion... i, as a 13 year old has been taught by my mother not to even utter the name of god in the context, "oh my god" and strongly disapprove you saying that you disagree without reoson...."
    • 0 0 0 Pamela Apr. 9, 2013
      "Lol I like your sense of humor."
  • +2 +4 -2 joe boudah Mar. 11, 2013
    "i personally am a young atheist. im not a kid who just doesnt believe in god or anything else, i just think that religion is another way we separate ourselves.i do not see the point of having under god in our pledge of allegiance. do i support my country? Yes. do i like my money? Yes. i see people everyday help other people, never do i see a giant mythical god come flying down to help. where was god during the world wars? where was god when you personally need him most? all i see is people righting the wrongs, people doing the right thing. if i dont want to who my patrioticness by saying under god, well thats to bad"
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  • +2 +7 -5 Passa May. 29, 2012
    "As pluralistic nation, there are a large number of different gods. Who is to say is "The" God. Or there may not even be a god of any kind. As atheists and many agnostics say there is no justification to believe there is one or many gods. The phrase "under God" does not reflect the idea of one nation, it reflects the coercion of one religion to impose their beliefs on all, that is immoral."
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  • +2 +8 -6 Jakob and Nicky May. 23, 2012
    "I myself being Catholic believe that the words 'under God' should not be included in a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States. As is evident, the nation was based on ideals of religious freedom, and if somebody wishes to remain a patriot, pledging allegiance to their country, they should not be coerced to state something they don't believe to be true. Although a democratic government is based on majorities in the long run, in this case we very well may be violating the rights guaranteed to citizens via the Bill of Rights. The founding fathers, when constructing the constitution may have included references to their own religion, in this case Catholicism, but as we see a certain diversity being created in this past century, it is important to note that we as a nation should be more open to accept these different ideas to better suit all citizens.

    That said, maybe it would have been easier to go along with the pledge that was first introduced which would have allowed for every citizen to feel their place in the country."
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  • +2 +8 -6 Rachel May. 6, 2012
    "No, the words "under God" should not be included in the US Pledge of Allegiance because they are completely unnecessary and cause far too much contreversy for what they are worth. The pledge went without conflict until the 1950's, when a Catholic interest group convinced the President to add the words. It was only once the words were added that it became a problem. Then, the recitation of the pledge became wrong for many citizens as it was now more of a prayer, both to a monotheistic God and another idol which is banned in Judaism. Thus, more and more kids are being pressured into saying things that conflict with their religion in school because by not doing so, they are thought to be unpatriotic. This may seem like a pretty stupid analogy, but personally I think it explains the concept very well. This whole debate is like sandwiches and mayonaise. Some people may be allergic to Mayo. Some people may really enjoy aMayo on their sandwich. But the people who like the Mayo are able to eat the sandwitch without, while people who are allergic CAN'T eat the Mayo. This is like the "under god" debate because religious people can say the pledge without, but atheists or other conflictiong interests can't say the phrase. It should be removed"
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  • +2 +8 -6 Mc. Facky Dontexsist Apr. 23, 2012
    "By U.S constitution the U.S. citizen is entitled to both freedom of religion and freedom from it. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…". What the "make no law respecting an establishment of religion" is saying that citizens have the freedom from religion. Also congress passed extensions to and the very means of being the pledge to what we know today. Because of these undeniable issues if tomorrow a citizen is feeling oppressed by the words "under god" in the pledge and it is taken to the supreme court inevitably the they will have to take it out if shown proper proof that it is oppressing the religion of a citizen. It is not what is right and wrong it is what is correct in the way of the constitution. once people chip away at the foundation of the constitution the damage will last forever."
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  • +2 +13 -11 Josh Mar. 7, 2012
    "I am against it due to the mere fact that in modern day society the far right is using Religion as the beast and underlying stronghold for their entire platform. It seems when ever an issue is in regards to Religion the far right releases the "Kraken" in order to tear their enemies to pieces. I believe Religion should be protected, but often we find these people claiming that their religious freedoms are under threat of annihilation if they cannot impose it into law which effects our entire population collectively. People need to wake up and see that Religion is being used as a powerful weapon and beast, the "Kraken," in order to tear the opposition apart. People act like Adolf Hitler is rising into power if we tell them we do not want religion interfering in the political realm."
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  • +2 +12 -10 Josh Feb. 11, 2012
    "The controversial words in question were added to the Pledge in 1954, sixty-two years after the Pledge was written. The words were most likely added as a result of the Christian U.S. and Atheist U.S.S.R. tensions of the time. Now that that's over with, can't we revert it? In the Treaty of Tripoli, John Adams, a Founding Father, clearly stated that "...the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion". That argument is now out the window. As that's the main argument in this debate, I believe I have made my point."
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  • +2 +16 -14 Shlaidan Feb. 2, 2012
    "No, the counrty was founded on the very Idea of religious freedom and NOT on Christianity like most believe. The founding fathers were secular, and created a secular country. The words "under god" weren't added until the 1950's as anti-soviet propaganda, as the USSR endorsed non-religion. While I don't have a problem saying it, I think it is more a matter of principle, as it is a glaring violation of the !st ammendment in one of the most common practices in the United States today."
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  • +2 +30 -28 Hi Ever Dec. 14, 2011
    "Freedom of religion also includes those who do not believe in anything, including a "god". "God" has no place in any government funded organization. I do not care where we came from, or where I go when I die. I am only good for the sake of being good. By leaving "under god" in the pledge our children are hearing a phrase which is not true in any form. No one is "under god" since there is no proof one exist. It is a pointless addition to the pledge, which is otherwise a statement our children are taught at a very early age. I refused to say the pledge completely because of the "under god" phrase, and I was left alone because no one wanted to battle with my Atheist father."
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    • +9 +12 -3 Victor Greywolf Dec. 15, 2011
      "Truer words were never spoken. Couldn't have ptu it better myself"
    • -6 0 -6 jeff Mar. 27, 2012
      "your right but the non believers have no right to be on this planet, beliefs in god go back as far as any text,. so please pack your stuff, thank you"
  • +2 +26 -24 Elisha Oct. 21, 2011
    "As originally witten the phrase "under god" was not even added.
    so we should stick with the original form.
    It being said in public schools and sometimes event he workplace is forcing our kids and neighbors to say something they may not be comfortable with.
    I am an Atheist and always has been.
    I remember not saying that phrase and being punished by my teacher for not following directions and being "defiant" even though i was only doing what was more comfortable for me."
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  • +2 +31 -29 Chase Oct. 18, 2011
    "I thought that our great country was based on the foundation of it is up to you to believe in whatever you choose to, not what other people force upon you. I myself for example do not say under god for personal reasons, i instead say under canada because it is still true and makes sense. We need to go back to the time when people were alowed a free opinion wether it be in the black, white, gray, or where ever area you want, even your own. Basicaly i think we should not be forced to say it, we should only say it if we choose to, so i believe it should be removed."
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  • +2 +49 -47 Shirley D. Keen Jun. 23, 2011
    "I grew up with a Pledge that did not include "under God" in it. I was always happy to say that Pledge, which had great meaning for me. However, somewhere along the way, "under God" was added and I then became embarrassed to say the Pledge because I thought that "under God" did not belong there. We are a country with the separation of church and state (thank God, because I believe in God) and for me, having "under God" in the Pledge belies that fact. If I am now ever in a situation that includes reciting the Pledge, I will of course do so but without saying those two words. The Pledge should belong to all of us and with the words "under God" in it, I do not think it does. Respectfully submitted."
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    • 0 +3 -3 Zachary Sep. 14, 2011
      "I say it too, but just like you, without the "under God"."
  • +1 +1 0 James May. 15, 2013
    "As an atheist disabled veteran, I was required to give allegiance to a force for which there is no good evidence and was not part of my enlistment affirmation. That affirmation is to support and defend the Constitution, not a particular unscientific view of the world incorporated as anti-Communist propaganda. Now as a town politician, I recite the original pledge before meetings. This overwhelmingly religious town does not care I am areligious: they care that I do the job I was elected to do, and that does not include enforcing un-Constitutional religious conformity on all with the force of law, or creating a "separate but equal" class of people who can opt-out."
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  • +1 +1 0 Ron Malibu May. 2, 2013
    "Anyone who thinks that "under God" is not a religious statement is so firmly entrenched in their religion that it might be nice if they took the time to see someone else's point of view. How about if we replaced the word "god" with something that a monotheist might not believe in such as "quantum mechanics", "Valhalla", "The Flying Spaghetti Monster" or "Cthulhu"."
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  • +1 +2 -1 Matt Apr. 19, 2013
    "There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom. The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity. This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.
    - Rabbi Sherwin Wine"
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  • +1 +1 0 Rinako Apr. 10, 2013
    "It makes those children who goes to school feel as though "god" is their well, god, because as soon a you are on school, you are forced to memorise this.
    i, as a person who, as soon as i first came and moved from Japan, before i learned to communicate, was forced to learn this, and for a while, believed that "god" was everything. I even prayed at night. haha. then, my mom, seeing this, was surprised, and she taught me what religion was, and that i shouldn't go in to believing religion without knowing what it is...."
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  • +1 +2 -1 Ryan Apr. 8, 2013
    "I am 15. I'm in high school. I am not religious. I respect everyone's beliefs even if I disagree, however I do not force my beliefs on others, and I lose respect for someone else's opinion when they shove it in my face. I do not believe that God should be used in anything children are forced to memorize and blindly repeat. We are brainwashing our children. We need to teach them to think for themselves, not through the government. Also, children shouldn't be forced to pledge to a country. Teach the children to analyze their country when they are old enough then let THEM decide if they wish to pledge to their country. I for one am glad I live in America, but I am not proud of my country and don't want to pledge to it, let alone a god that I don't believe in. God may be real to some, but he is not real to me. I respect those that believe in God and they need to respect those that are different than them."
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  • +1 +3 -2 Montelyony Mar. 10, 2013
    "America was made so people could be free and do as they wish so all of you born again christians can go say the pledge and not care about what other people say."
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  • +1 +4 -3 Anonymous Feb. 16, 2013
    "I think an excellent alternative to reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is reciting the American's Creed.

    It illustrates the history, purpose, and foundation of our country whilst generating a sense of patriotism. Plus, there is no reference to any deity of any kind, which resolves the problem of "under god."

    (Also, I think its a fun fact that Francis Bellamy, the author of the original Pledge of Allegiance, was a minister yet he did not put the words "under god" in it.)"
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  • +1 +3 -2 Molly Feb. 1, 2013
    "It should not because not everyone believes in "God" and if we cant talk about "God" in school then why can we in the pledge? personally i dont say the pledge because i dont believe in "God""
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  • +1 +3 -2 Darius Jan. 30, 2013
    "This line seriously needs to be removed. The way I look at it, this line excludes everyone who isn't calling this 'higher power' God. Now, being an athiest, I guess I have a more bias opinion, but this line is basically stating only the people calling this higher power 'God' are included as patriots, and this line violates our first amendment rights. why is this line still here? or better yet, why was it added in the first place?"
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  • +1 +4 -3 Grumpy Jan. 26, 2013
    "of COURSE it's a religious statement. america is not and has never been a christian nation, and never will be until its authority flows from god rather than the people."
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  • +1 +4 -3 Brandon Jan. 20, 2013
    "It's not that complicated: imagine a ven diagram. If we do strive to separate church and state and we define the Pledge as part of state than the phrase "under God" has no place within. The discussion of the "under God" phrase intended purpose is irrelevant considering God can't have a definition outside of religion. Coming back to the ven diagram, the circles shouldn't intersect."
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  • +1 +7 -6 Grace Dec. 7, 2012
    "I do not think that it is appropriate to have the phrase "Under God" in the United States of America Pledge. I do not think this because I have anything against Christianity or God, I simply think that, seeing as America was created for religious freedom, we should not expect our citizens to pledge themselves to a god that they may or may not believe in."
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  • +1 +6 -5 Garett Nov. 29, 2012
    "No it should not be in the Pledge, the country was brought together on freedom of religion."
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  • +1 +5 -4 Lawrence Sep. 27, 2012
    "I understand why people want that phrase in there, I do. At the same time however, how in our day and age, with such a diverse group of subcultures within our great country, can we allow something that blatantly disregards all other deities believed in by other Americans? Yes, the majority of Americans may believe in Catholicism and thus not have a problem with the phrase, but being selfless for a second, instead of self-centered, taking those two words out makes a bit of a difference to those who do not believe in that specific deity or any at all. And if we're being honest, why does it matter so much to keep it in?
    Some might think, "I want it in because I am a devout Christian (or whatever) and I want to represent that in my daily life." But, you know what, that's what churches and other places of worship are for.
    Last time I checked, being proud to be an American meant being proud to embrace everything America is built on, namely diversity. We are supposed to be a melting pot of cultures, but with such a phrase, how can we call ourselves truly diverse? I do not think it is bad, just with all of the different religions (and lack there of) it is out of date."
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    • 0 0 0 Lawrence Oct. 6, 2012
      "For whoever voted down, could you tell me why? I'm just curious what you did not like."
  • +1 +5 -4 Victor Greywolf Sep. 15, 2012
    "The so-called "Under God" part wasn't in the constitution until 1954 or so, when the fear of communism was around. Nothing more, and it is absurd that they put it in there to begin with, especially since there are people who don't believe, and don't care about that. Why Eisenhower did that, no idea, but I bet he didn't believe it either, it was more for purposes of propaganda, when in reality, it was a sham. As far as the constitution goes, it was put in, but people are too afraid to revert to the original. And for those who don't believe, why force it into their vocabulary, right? It would be best to let the PERSON decide if they want to say that part. It doesn't matter if you are a believer or not, since this is the land of the free, we have the right to say under god, or not to. The people should make the choice to say under god, or under the nation, or the USA. After all, our founding fathers left their country, because they wanted freedom. Shouldn't freedom be on ALL levels? If so, then we shouldn't worry about something as trivial as putting under god in the pledge. It is a choice to say under god or not."
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  • +1 +6 -5 james Sep. 14, 2012
    "The Pledge of Allegiance reflects our morals and values. Therefore, it should reflect the ideas of all americans not 80%. This country has no national religion, so why should we promote a god. Also, Thomas Jefferson, a founding father, was athiest."
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    • 0 0 0 Zechariah Nov. 27, 2012
      "SO, in order to reflect the views of all Americans, it would have to say "one nation, under God applying to those who believe indivisible with liberty and justice for all."- This is the only solution to your argument, and it sounds ridiculous. Just don't recite it if it offends you!"
  • +1 +6 -5 Luis Gameros Sep. 13, 2012
    "If in fact you believe in God you already know that the relationship is extremely personal and of the most intimate nature. There is no place in public pledges or swearing for God or The Bible.
    Say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no. Anything else is show biz.
    It is more important for us who believe in God to know God in our selves and recognize God in everyone we meet. This love in particular of " fellow Countrymen" is the highest form of Patriotism in existence. So in my case for both patriotic and religious reasons I say no to this public abuse of the word God."
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  • +1 +6 -5 Andi Sep. 10, 2012
    "Although it cannot be proven whether or not god exists, it is wrong to have the children pledging their allegiance under a deity. Even though more than half the population is very religous, we should give the children a chance to develop their own beliefs."
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  • +1 +6 -5 rg5w6t Sep. 6, 2012
    "Theocracy is in our midst---7.US churches have been tax-exempt for over 200 years, yet there are no signs that America has become a theocracy.(Hello?) If the tax exemption were a serious threat to the separation of church and state, the US government would have succumbed to religious rule long ago. (More reason for Churches and Church Related organizations to be penalized for raising funds and waging campaigns with Civil outcomes) As the Supreme Court ruled in Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of New York (1970), "freedom from taxation for two centuries has not led to an established church or religion, and, on the contrary, has helped to guarantee the free exercise of all forms of religious belief." [18]How about Spiritual but non-Religious beliefs Sir?) The Holy Roman Ctholic Church (Official name of Corporation) distances itself from its Priesthood by making clergy Contractors, not paying Social Security for them, making them pay income taxes and including as Income living in the Rectory where they are forced to reside."
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  • +1 +7 -6 Jessalyn Aug. 26, 2012
    "America was most definitely NOT founded on religion, let alone monotheism. Every argument I have ever heard supporting religious reference in the Pledge has been, quite frankly, nonsensical. We're a secular nation, so we should have a secular Pledge."
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  • +1 +5 -4 jose Aug. 24, 2012
    "Regardless of what the founding fathers believed and/or practiced, to rule by tyranny of ideology cannot sustain that upward mobility that must occur after succession from a most powerful reign. It would be unkind to find that native and otherwise forced indoctrination meant equal treatment, but occasionally humanity would prevail and instances of a mature thought process would find purchase in great and emotional bonds as are nationalism and patriotism."
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  • +1 +5 -4 Anna Miller Aug. 17, 2012
    "I do not believe in any organized religion for reasons of misinformation, misunderstanding of teachings, and for lack of a better word... brainwashing. I feel like it should have never been changed for this is a country founded to escape the rulings of the church. I am not religious nor will I ever be made to be so I don't think I should have to say god in anything I do."
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  • +1 +7 -6 Anthony May. 20, 2012
    "Absolutely not, faith in a God should be completely personal. There should never be anything, i.e. money, constitution, pledge etc that has "God" anywhere on it. Faith is a choice, atheisim or being agnostic is a choice. I shouldn't have to believe in god, just as you shouldn't have to not believe in god. And I shouldn't be forced to say it in a pledge or see it in the constitution or see it on every dollar bill. To me the idea of God is ridiculous, but to the faithful he is real. Either way, this is completely personal and a personal choice. It's called freedom."
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  • +1 +7 -6 W. Frank Pont May. 6, 2012
    "The word "God" does not appear in our constitution. There is a good reason ... from history. The thirteen colonies were settled from England. Many of the settlers were fleeing the Church of England. When one or even a group of religions get a foot hold it tends expand its power by legislating its beliefs which always seems to effects the folk who have a different belief set. Keep it simple and leave good out of our government documents. There is a big difference between being a nation of Christians and a Christian nation.."
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  • +1 +7 -6 Mike Apr. 25, 2012
    "Whether or not we are generally a Christian country (which is fading), it encourages a certain view. The world was meant to be diverse, devoid of myopic views."
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  • +1 +16 -15 brendan Feb. 15, 2012
    ""no" because it is demeaning to a pagan like myself being forced to pledge our alegience to a country AND a god that we do not believe in. And in the moment of silence our teacher tells us to pray to god. @ smitty, the country was also founded on Freedom of speeech press and religion"
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    • 0 0 0 michele Apr. 21, 2013
      "Then, I shall suggest you leave are country, this is for Americans. Along, with Christianity."
  • +1 +16 -15 Jordan Feb. 9, 2012
    "It should be taken out. This is NOT a christian nation and it was NOT founded for christian purposes. Even christopher columbus wasn't christian, he was catholic and George washington (a founding father) was Episcopalian (or protestant). You can make your typical assumptions that no one is offended by it, but have you really put in the effort to ask? I think the religious people would be more offended if it didn't mean anything, majority can't just have their way. This a secular nation and apparently this is an exception."
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    • +2 +2 0 Jordan Mar. 4, 2012
      "Actually i'm pretty sure they would get upset if you tried grouping them together like that. I'll tell you what, if you do believe in god, would you think he...oh i'm sorry... IT would care if we took it out? Wouldn't it of been easier to think that such an almighty, all knowing god wouldn't care about it?"
    • -2 0 -2 Bethany Mar. 2, 2012
      "Actually Catholics are Christians and so are Episcopalians. It is true that this country was not founded for religious reasons, but I just want to ask... If you do not believe that God exists wouldn't it just be easier to give believers what they want and ignore two little words?"
  • +1 +31 -30 C0D3 Jan. 9, 2012
    "Speaking as an Atheist, I've decided to put this on the con side. I understand where the pro-people are coming from; "If you don't believe in it, don't say it."
    I could say the same to you pros.
    For this topic, if the public doesn't support it 100%, it should be taken out."
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    • +14 +15 -1 Victor Greywolf Jan. 10, 2012
      "Well, if I may say something, as far as that one goes, you do have the right to omit it from the pledge when you say it. It isn't mandatory. Hell, I've said the pledge numerous times, and I have omitted the under god part, and some people had a problem with it, but those are the fanatics that have a problem. If people are truly as tolerant as they claim to be, or maybe they have a mixed up or blurred idea of what it is, they wouldn't react to something as trivial and miniscule as "under god." But people who are ok with things wouldn't care one way or the other, as long as you don't mock the pledge of allegance. Some people do have a problem with it, I understand, and that's their problem. They shouldn't childe people for that, but they do unfortunately. As far as seperation of church and state goes, is it really that if we have the "under god" in the pledge, or if we put "in god we trust" on money? Maybe if enough people write to the government, they might change it. Who knows."
    • -2 +2 -4 Derek Feb. 6, 2012
      "The public doesn't support the government 100% either. Should it be taken out? NO. Saying that anything not agreed to 100% should be omitted is a horrible idea, one that leads to socialism."
  • +1 +21 -20 Rachaud Dec. 7, 2011
    "The words "Under God" shouldn't be in the pledge because although we are one nation, not everybody wants to be under god and not everybody believes in god. This goes against the constitution and forces religion on the citizens."
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    • 0 +1 -1 Bethany Mar. 2, 2012
      "How does this go against the Constitution? No one is forcing you to say "under God" in fact it is perfectly acceptable to not say those words. Nobody will criticize you."
  • +1 +21 -20 Wendy Nov. 30, 2011
    "Well, i think that no religious statement should be included in the Pledge of Allegiance. When people refer to any religion, they should be in the situation in which they respect and follow that specific God or Goddess (whichever, one or more) and remain in the boundaries of supporting the land in which they created. If, for example, the U.S is considered a "religious" country, then if they speak about God, they should consider thinking about what God does for his people, not only what he chooses for being "wishy-washy". He can't prohibit something the U.S for being different or because something looks bad or "inappropriate" as some might say. You can't talk about a specific religion unless you truly understand it, it's not logic for anyone to think like that."
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  • +1 +27 -26 Desiree Nov. 7, 2011
    "i am a high school student and they still make us say the pledge.. i am atheist and i feel that just because my founding fathers believed in god and changed the pledge for their beliefs why should say it when its their beliefs and not mine.. i suggest that they should just change it back"
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    • +8 +8 0 Victor Greywolf Dec. 11, 2011
      "As an Atheist, I support you 100%, and it is sad that they force you to say something in which you don't believe in, and that is wrong. You shouldn't have to change your beliefs, and don't ever feel you have to. You have rights, as the others do, and no person should force their beliefs on you. Thank you for coming out, in this country it is hard to do, but glad to see I am not the only one here."
    • +8 +8 0 Kristin R Nov. 30, 2011
      "I totally agree with you. I do believe in God but I feel people should have the right to believe or not believe what they want, and in especially something as major as the national anthem."
  • +1 +27 -26 Sarah Jun. 29, 2011
    "I don't think we should force religion on people who don't agree with it"
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    • +4 +5 -1 Zachary Sep. 14, 2011
      "Simple, True, and to the point. Thumbs-up for you!"
  • +1 +41 -40 Elird Jun. 24, 2011
    "Religion should stay out of the public square, except when people exercise their right to the freedom of speech an expression. Having "Under God" in the pledge forces all people to pledge allegiance to a higher power they may not believe in. The separation of Church and State should disallow such favoritism. Can anyone fathom the reaction of believers if it said: "One Nation, created by a big bang and inhabited by evolved creatures...." ?"
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  • +1 +21 -20 Irish Jun. 23, 2011
    "I do believe in God, I was raised to say the pledge as it is now. However, when I learned the original pledge did not contain these words, I was surprised. When I read why the author of the pledge made this decision... it made the debate about the purpose of the pledge rather than an emotional and religiously based debate. I think we have combined all 3 issues into one, each of us thinking our point is the most critical."
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  • +1 +38 -37 Dave Jun. 20, 2011
    "The Pledge of Allegiance, in its current form, is a throwback to the days of the Cold War and the ideological fight against the "godless" Soviet Union. Even though I wasn't around for the Cold War, I understand why "under God" was added, mostly to say "This is America, not the Soviet Union! We're better because we believe in God!" Similar reasoning applies for making the national motto "In God We Trust." What, exactly, does people trusting in God say about the US as a country? Looking at it from a secular point of view, I think that's an inferior motto to "E Pluribus Unum," which sums up this country perfectly. Lots of people don't believe in the Judeo-Christian deity, and not just the nonreligious. Is the government calling all of those people unpatriotic? The answer is definitely yes. Here's a simple test: Try replacing it with "under Allah" or "under Vishnu." Think that's any different? It's not. Same message, just aimed at different groups. From the Bible Belt, here's a vote to get "under God" out of the Pledge, and for "E Pluribus Unum" as the motto."
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  • +1 +28 -27 Cassie Jun. 20, 2011
    "The addition of "under god" to our Pledge is a lasting homage to an embarrassing and ugly period of discrimination, fear, and exclusionary actions from our recent history. It is a violation of the Constitution by forcing Americans to recognize a deity in order to be considered patriotic and supportive of their country. The Pledge should be returned to its original state, and patriotism to its original place by recognizing that a patriot is so by virtue of their love for their country, not by being forced to believe in the deity of the majority. We are a secular country founded on the freedom of (and from) religion."
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  • 0 0 0 taz Apr. 24, 2013
    "As a long time studier of religion it strickly states that religion be removed or even be talked about in state, therefore the statement "under god" should be removed to to the ammendment our fathers brought to our country. Thank you"
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  • 0 +1 -1 Char Apr. 21, 2013
    "The word God evokes lots of emotions and is interpreted differently by different people. It has a reference to religion/church to many, and there is separation of church and state in our country. This violates that. I don't see why it's needed, and it just caused division."
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  • 0 +1 -1 Fishtree Apr. 19, 2013
    "In America, there is a separation of church and state. That means that the people in charge CANNOT use religion in any of their laws/decisions. Believing in a religion is NOT required in America. Also, the under "god" in the pledge indicates a single god. What if you believe in many gods? What if you believe in an unbiased power? I believe in a god, however, I do not believe that under god needs to be in the pledge. If you are an atheist, you cannot pledge to "a nation under god", because to you it does not exist. A theist however, can pledge to "a nation". Don't you agree?"
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  • 0 +2 -2 OAK Apr. 7, 2013
    "our nation is not a "Christian nation" as many of the pros have stated we are a diverse nation with multiple religions who practice Judaism Islamic buddism and Hinduism.we even have people here who believe there is no god at all.if the us declared itself a Christian nation we would alienate multiple different cultures existing in the us. we would imply that every in the Christian bible represents the beliefs of our entire nation.the problem that people are having with the under god part of the pledge isn't really the words in it but the potiental future those words could lead us to.it never even specifies in the pledge which god they are talking about the pros are just implying its the Christian god.I could name a million different gods if you asked me.the words really should be removed.it just allows religion to weed its way around the legal issue of church and state further.any implication of religion including in the pledge should be removed. it just creates to many assumptions and prevents us from not imposing our beliefs on others.we need to accept that not everyone is Christian and not everyone believes in god.im an atheist but im not any less moral.i think as a society we can move away from religion in legal issues."
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  • 0 +4 -4 Alan Jan. 20, 2013
    "I just dont think anyone should be forced to pledge to anything they may not completely believe. I am fine with not saying it myself but see children forced to say it all the time."
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    • 0 0 0 John C. Fletcher Jan. 23, 2013
      "I don't think the pledge a child makes to the flag is a big deal or to God is a big deal. Once they can understand what it really means and what it really means to them, they can decide for themselves if they want to say it."
  • 0 +5 -5 Emily Jan. 8, 2013
    "The phrase "under God" suggests that the US is a religous country, though people come to the United States for religous freedom."
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    • +1 +1 0 John Jan. 23, 2013
      "most did come for christian religious freedom and even the colonies that were started based on religious freedom fir all were started by christians"
  • 0 +5 -5 reasonableAthiest Nov. 26, 2012
    "I am against having the statement "Under God" in the pledge for two reasons. It is violating the first amendment and the separation of state and church, and it is also offensive to the atheists and the people of other religions. You that you don't have to say it if you don't want to. I am an atheist and I prefer not to say it. For a long time after they take it out (if they do, of course), people will accidentally say it from habit of it being in there so long when it didn't need to. You CAN still be Christian even if the pledge to your country doesn't say "Under God.""
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  • -1 +6 -7 charles Nov. 25, 2012
    "the separation between church and state keeps america from becoming like one of those crazy theocracies (such as in the middle east, like Iran) As such it would be best if the under God is removed."
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  • -1 +3 -4 Patriotic atheist Nov. 16, 2012
    "No. The first amendment clearly states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" So constitutionally no. And morally no! We were fonded on freedom of religion and the only reason this was enacted was to brainwash children of other religions into becoming christians."
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    • 0 0 0 John C. Fletcher Jan. 23, 2013
      "that last part is completely invalid. It was added because they felt it was right. Wether you believe it is or isn't right is another matter all together."
  • -1 +6 -7 Zaccari Nov. 5, 2012
    "No, reason being because this undermines the seperation of church and state. It's that simple."
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  • -1 +5 -6 Brian Oct. 26, 2012
    "The words "under god" should not be aloud in the pledge. It is a direct violation to the church-state seperation and our freedom of religion. Saying those words is simply and honestly stating that we are "ONE NATION UNDER GOD." In fact, we are not at all. And yes we could just not say it, but speaking from a student's point of view, it makes me very uncomfortable to stay seated because I have no belief in a god.( or just stand and say nothing, etc..) And, also, it doesn't make it right just because most of the united states is a deity believer. If most americans thought it would be cool to kill a bunch of African Americans.... you can't do it. if a majority wants to violate our religious rights... you cant do it."
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  • -1 +7 -8 Sean Oct. 17, 2012
    "This really isn't a matter of opinion and shouldn't be open to debate. 'Under god' should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance or the First Amendment should be repealed as the two are mutually exclusive."
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  • -1 +6 -7 Harvey Waxman Oct. 12, 2012
    "For me there is no problem. When I recite the pledge I simply don't say "under God". There are so many more important issues to talk about."
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  • -1 +4 -5 Paul Bertenshaw Oct. 10, 2012
    "The US Constitution was originally conceived as a document which deliberately separated church and state, which I presume is because (based on historical fact and hard lessons learnt from personal experience/s) they are not mutually compatible.
    The addition of the words, 'under god', are clearly religious in nature and therefore contradict the underlying ideal of the founding fathers.
    Also the original constitution doesn't mention god at all, so the gradual ingress of religious terms and expressions as in those used in Presidential and government pledges and statements are an erosion of its integrity.
    Further the words 'In god we trust', didn't appear on USA coin until 1863 and on notes until 1957!"
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  • -1 +3 -4 Agnostic Oct. 1, 2012
    "I chose the con side based on my interpretation of the first amendments freedom of religion which states "Congress may make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This means two things, the first being that the government shall not interfere with the church. But how can we do that if one religious interpretation is in the government? If we have a Christian based government, as the pledge implies, how can we be sure that the government will be fair to all beliefs? The best way is to keep church out of state."
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  • -1 +12 -13 Wookie_Weed May. 17, 2012
    "NO should not be included

    Atheists 1

    Christians 0"
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  • -1 +6 -7 TJxMcCalmont May. 6, 2012
    "This country was not founded under the christian religion or any religion at that. This is the land of the free, not the land of the "Hey lets brain wash our students"... Religion is one of the biggest scams nowadays... You donate money to the church when we all know that if there was a Higher Power, our currency would do nothing for them or it. Religion is not any better than the government and its been that way for a loooong time now."
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    • 0 0 0 Russell Feb. 28, 2013
      "It was founded under christian that was the first and only religion in America for 100's of years."
  • -1 +6 -7 Jonathan Rung Apr. 13, 2012
    "The religious proponents who are invoking the founding fathers are gravely misinformed about the ideals and beliefs that shaped our country. Before you claim to know the their intentions, please learn more about Jefferson, Franklin, & Paine. Read their essays (you might be surprised how relevant their work still is - not to mention beautifully written).

    Indeed, most of our founding fathers claimed membership in one sect of Christianity or another. But how does that help your argument? If they wanted to establish a theocracy, they would have done so. Instead, they insisted upon a wall of separation between church and state.

    "In every country and every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot...they have perverted the purest religion ever preached to man into mystery and jargon, unintelligible to all mankind, and therefore the safer for their purposes." -Jefferson

    Note the "purest religion," yet still insisted against its influence in gov.

    As an (for lack of better word & brevity) athiest, how am I to feel when confronted with the choice of reciting that which I do not believe or remaining silent? Why exclude millions of Americans? I suspect you simply do not want us - your loss."
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  • -1 +11 -12 Jay Mar. 16, 2012
    ""No" because back in those days when the Unites states of the original 13 colonies went and took the land from the native with violence and lied to them saying such as sign this treaty and we'll give you food and shelter but in the end the government turned over after they signed and led them to death. One day i was going through my dads passport it said that "God gave us this land" hell no ! The US government sought out to steal it from them, god didnt bless us with this land. The US just stole it."
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  • -1 +10 -11 David W Rogers Feb. 17, 2012
    "No, they should be officially removed. The idea of having a religion test in the Pledge of Allegiance is repugnant to me. I learned to say the Pledge before those words were added, and I refuse to utter them today, as I believe their presence violates good sense and the Constitution.

    They were added in the mid-Fifties in a rather successful attempt to mobilize American opinion against those "godless communists." In other words, they were war-talk.

    Mark these words: anytime a politician brings up religion, they are attempting to manipulate the populace."
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  • -1 +14 -15 toughfreakinlove Feb. 5, 2012
    "As an devout atheist I strongly oppose this. It seems like some people don't understand that there IS a seperation between church and state. Now I have to join the herd and recite a few words that mean nothing to me? We have something called a church that people do this in. So why is it in a public school?

    Are we forgetting about those who may practice hinduism, buddhism, shintoism and other religions? What about them?

    I don't care if the majority of people are Christains. SO! But since when do the majority decide what is best for everyone? Where are we in China now?

    By the way, I thought as a good bunch of christains you were not suppose to mention "thy lord's name in vain". CLAP CLAP Good for you.....NOT! Here you are running around using it in some nationalist verse so you can feel better about yourselves. "God bless America" what about the rest of the world?"
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    • 0 0 0 layas Mar. 12, 2012
      "yeah really. sayin the lords name in vain is like saying o my god. dude get ur facts straight. and the term under god could mean any god that is worshipped in america."
    • 0 0 0 Bethany Mar. 2, 2012
      "Why are you being so caustic? It is really resentful. How is the Pledge mentioning the Lord's name in vain?"
  • -1 +21 -22 Kristin R Nov. 30, 2011
    "It's giving a point of Christianity. I believe in God myself but I don't see the reason of stating God in our nations anthem. Many Americans want to show their full AMERICAN "spirit", but some people just don't believe in God. This country is of religious rights, giving us the right to believe in what we believe but shouldn't we get to say it in such a big deal as the national anthem?"
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  • -1 +21 -22 Sharissa Neddo Jun. 8, 2011
    "I am CON because the statement 'Under God" was only put into the pledge because the US is deemed a christian nation. This is untrue. Just because our country has a high rate of christians doesnt mean we are a 'christian nation'. The US has a significant amount of people who arent religious, and that amount is only growing. I think its wrong to have this saying in the pledge because we shouldnt speak for every person in the country. Also we have a separation of church and state for a reason."
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  • -2 +18 -20 Zachary Hill Sep. 14, 2011
    "NO. What if someone in school is part of a religion that doesn't believe in god? What if the teachers force them to say it? Even ENCOURAGING it in a public school, is by definition, against the law, as you aren't allowed to **preach** religion in public schools!"
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  • -2 +14 -16 Ken Sullivan Aug. 11, 2011
    "It does not reflect my beliefs, no many peoples beliefs. It supports only a theistic god, but perhaps I believe in Buddah or others? Thus this is also unconstitutional."
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  • -2 +22 -24 Tim W Jul. 20, 2011
    "1. We were born a secular nation as a product of the enlightenment. Most of our founding fathers espoused views that are radically different from orthodox Christianity.

    2. "Under God" reduces God from King of All Creation to a national God. We have become convinced that God is on our side even when we oppress our own poor or subvert the governments of weak countries.

    3. When we claim to be "under God," we are really going by an interpretation of someone else's God."
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  • -2 +31 -33 Andrew Smith Jun. 14, 2011
    "I am very patriotic but do I believe in god? NO! Putting god on the pledge just doesn't make sense. Everybody pictures god as a different person or thing. So how can our country be under one god?"
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    • -1 0 -1 sammie w Jan. 30, 2012
      "welll if you believe in god shouldnt you want to put under god in the pledge. it does make sence but probally not to you but it make sence to everybody that is just like sayin you dont like god because he is confusing. well most people probally believe in god and so with all the violnce and stuff going on it can still be a GODLY world so maybe you should think twice before you think that having under god in the pledge is confusing well it isnt sooo thank you very much!!!!!"
  • -2 +40 -42 Kurt May. 9, 2011
    "I think that under God goes against the next word, indivisible. My religous beliefs, no matter how dominant, should not be included in a pledge that is dedicated to the United States. I think that doing so is divisive and I believe the word indivisible is more important than the words under God."
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  • -3 +17 -20 Lee Cyr Sep. 23, 2011
    "People who think school-age children pledge allegiance under god so as to recognize our nations heritage (as said heritage may have been in select colonies such as plymouth) likely have conscious or subconscious motives to influence peoples behavior early in life. It is not reasonable to think 5-12 year old kids have such a grasp on the pledge of allegiance. If you think so, have a neutral party ask any child what to pledge allegiance under god means.

    Furthermore, its not possible to dedicate a nation and its efforts to god and act as a citizen of that nation without actively practicing religious doctrinesm whether they konw it or not. Therefore, any such pledge does indeed force religion onto Americans and worse onto the most vulnerable of Americans--our children."
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  • -3 +20 -23 Marissa Jul. 20, 2011
    "This country was founded upon principles of free conscience. Citizens of the United States have the full right to support whichever philosophies they desire, even if these philosophies espouse atheism. It is not our character as a nation to corner others in proclaiming a belief in a deity they do not support. Patriotism and deism are not related affections, and it is the right of no one to suddenly interweave the two."
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  • -3 +39 -42 Terri May. 9, 2011
    "Other than the fact that it has a better sound, I believe that there is no, and there was no, reason to have it in the pledge.

    It was added during the communist scare, simply because of hysteria at the time.

    While the majority of the US are Christian, we are NOT a Christian nation, and our founders set it up that way on purpose.

    The personal religious beliefs of the ones who are writing the laws should not be included in those laws. In fact, it is stated in the 1st Amendment that it can't be."
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  • -4 +16 -20 Steven Dec. 8, 2011
    ""Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - James Madison"
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  • -4 +16 -20 AJ Oct. 6, 2011
    "It's a con because America is supposed to be free to religion. I'm not saying it's not, but still. If a person from another race says the pledge at school or hears it at work everyday, they might get offended."
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  • -4 +16 -20 Jeff Sep. 19, 2011
    "I attended Catholic school from first through sixth grade until I begged my parents to get me out. So, at the time, the pledge with that phrase was just another piece of propoganda we were fed. I became an agnostic by age 15 and an atheist not long after. I was so happy to hear calls to remove Eisenhower's insertion and hope the previous version becomes widespread--I also hope Catholicism disintegrates."
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    • +3 +3 0 Victor Greywolf Jan. 19, 2012
      "One can only hope. As far as Eisenhower putting it on there, and people wanting to remove it, that's fine. Or better yet, instead of saying under god, (glad there's another Atheist on here) say under patriottism, or under the united states, you could try that. F**k, I've said the pledge of allegance, and I've omitted under god numerous times, and people with the exception of some psychos didn't have a problem with that. I don't see what's they big deal, if people omit the under god, or remove it from the pledge, since we have a seperation of church and state, or is it a propaganda thing. I say, omit it, and still love the USA, the greatest place on earth. End of story."
  • -4 +14 -18 Luvnarg Sep. 13, 2011
    "I believe the "under God" part in the Pledge of Allegiance should be removed because Religion should not be a main part of America. The 80% Christian America has been steadily declining over the past 50 years. This is a good thing."
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    • +3 +3 0 Victor Greywolf Jan. 19, 2012
      "That's the best news I've heard all day. Glad to hear that people are realizing it is a sham, and not going back to that, which is totally awesome. Rock on, declining of christianity. It's good, especially since they push their point of view with the under god thig, and tell us that we have to believe what they believe. I can see why they were put in colloseums facing lions. We should bring that back."
    • 0 0 0 Bethany Mar. 2, 2012
      "Why is it a good thing that Christianity is declining? There is nothing wrong with believing in God."
  • -4 +16 -20 Brooke Aug. 17, 2011
    "Atheism doesn't mean the absence of religion - it means the absence of a god in one's belief system. Certain forms of Buddhism, for example are atheistic. Therefore, requiring a statement of belief in a god is unconstitutionally preferring a majority religious belief over a minority one. The point of the Pledge is to state allegiance to the flag and country. If one believes in a god, there are many, many other forums in which to express that belief without imposing it on others."
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  • -4 +19 -23 Matt Jul. 13, 2011
    "Separation of church and state, nothing more needs to be said."
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  • -4 +27 -31 John Wolf Jun. 23, 2011
    "No. Those words were intentionally left out by the Founders of this Nation and not inserted until the 1950's, I believe. By inserting those words, we breach the separation of "church and state", ostracize citizens who don't believe in a god, and essentially turn this into a 'Christian' nation. The colonists emigrated from their homelands to get away from religious persecution and 'religious slavery'. The words "under God" were intentionally left out, wrongfully inserted, and should be removed to return us to the "American" way."
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  • -4 +19 -23 Greg Anglin Jun. 23, 2011
    "It is divisive, has nothing to do with patriotism, and is an affront to the separation between religion and government written into the U.S. Constitution."
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  • -4 +19 -23 jackdav38 Jun. 23, 2011
    "Absolutely not. Nonbelievers have equal rights with believers. We did just fine until it was added in 1954.

    I actually think we should get rid of the pledge completely, but that's unrealistic right now."
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  • -4 +18 -22 Bob Sipes Jun. 23, 2011
    "The first amendment makes this very clear and all the political wishy-washy squirming around in the world isn't going to change the fact that it was pushed through a communist and MaCarthy terrified congress by Christians who saw an opportunity to exploit that weakness. I read all these statements about how it isn't a religious statement, blah blah blah. So really God is not a religious statement? I wonder who they think they are kidding with that! The simple fact is the religious Christian majority got their way against everything this nation stands for and is founded on and no one in government or in the courts has the guts to stand up for what's right and fix it. Why? Because they are scared for their positions in government. So here we sit a nation with an awesome document set in place to provide protections for all American citizens with a law that discriminates against non Christian citizens. How is that right? It makes our stand as a nation of freedoms a worldwide giggling session, " oh, you mean America, the land of religious freedom where you have to, by law swear an oath to the Christian god?" someone has to explain to me how that is religious freedom."
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  • -5 +24 -29 Wayne Jul. 4, 2011
    "We should follow the Constitution and keep Church and State Separate.
    Religion is just another form of control over the simple minded."
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  • -5 +18 -23 Nick Jun. 23, 2011
    "The term "under God" is offensive to many Americans, and not just to non-believers. It is reference to the particular God of evangelical Christians, and is simply a way for that group to flex their political muscle. It is exclusionary. The same can be said for "In God We Trust" on currency."
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  • -5 +17 -22 Sarah Jun. 23, 2011
    "When I learned the pledge in school, the words "under God" were not in it. Even now, I tend to forget to say them when I'm in a group. I do NOT think "under God" should be included because that phrase leaves out individuals who do not believe in God. Our country was founded on religious freedom, and no one should be made to feel less worthy because of their religious beliefs. I do believe in God, but I do not have the right to force my beliefs on anyone else."
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    • +1 +3 -2 Phil Jul. 1, 2011
      "but i guess its ok for them to force theirs on you?"
  • -5 +25 -30 Sally Jun. 22, 2011
    "A pledge is something you should say only if you mean it. That is the whole purpose of a pledge or an oath. So the words "Under God" immediately undermine the promise someone has made if they worship multiple gods, Goddess, no god, a whole pantheon, or any deity that does not go by the name of God.

    If I'm going to pledge to my country, I want to mean every word I say, and I can't if I do not believe in/worship "God""
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  • -5 +21 -26 Tyler Buchman May. 27, 2011
    "To say that children do not feel oppressed by saying "under god" is simply ignorant. It originated as an anti-communist statement, which is extremely ironic since the Pledge itself is itself a socialist pledge. (see http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm). I personally refuse to say the pledge or stand for it in school, and if i am forced to outside, I simply leave out "under god." But having the words "under god" implies that there is a stronger power that controls our actions in a theistic way. I am very much the organization of religion of any type, except of course the Flying Spaghetti Monster ;), and I do not feel that I have been protected in the right that I hold as a citizen as granted to me by the United States Constitution Amendment #1. By having the oppressive words "under god" I am being told I am a god fearing person, which I am not. It tells me I believe in a god, which I do not. And it tells me the government feels they are under god when they make decisions, which scares me."
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  • -5 +18 -23 Kait May. 24, 2011
    "I think the pre-1954 version was perfectly fine. The current version presses the idea that religion is neccacary into the minds of our children. Also, it is against the first amendment. Why should kids be forced to state that there is a god in the first place a statment which they might not believe in."
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  • -5 +40 -45 Aly May. 2, 2011
    "I believe that the statement about God in the pledge should be eliminated. In order to create unity in our nation we shouldn't be forcing someone else's God onto people. Also, adding the phrase "Under God" was a decision made to widen the gap between us and the Soviet Union. It wasn't put there to "honor god" or make us any better. Furthermore, we should seperate church from state. Its the law."
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    • 0 0 0 Desiree Nov. 7, 2011
      "i love this comment!!! :) soo true..."
  • -6 +14 -20 Bob F Jun. 30, 2011
    "As a general proposition, government should be "God" neutral. Given the history and tradition of religion in our country AND the difficulty in making a change, I would not waste the political capital to get it done."
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  • -6 +26 -32 Chris Turk Jun. 19, 2011
    "Simple, maybe I believe in Allah, or the flying spaghetti monster, or no god at all. Why won't they put "and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under the flying spaghetti monster..."?"
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  • -8 +23 -31 Steve May. 18, 2011
    "Religion has nothing in common with the basis the United States was founded on: separation of church and state. Because of events like the Salem witch trials, the Founding Fathers deemed that religion should not interfere with government, and stated so in the establishment clause of the First Amendment. The reason the words under God were added after World War II is because of something very similar to the Salem witch trials: McCarthyism. Except then, people with any relation communism were the ones hunted and blacklisted by a corrupt government. The Cold War has ended, as has the religious intolerance and paranoia, so these words have no place in the Pledge, if they ever did at all."
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  • -8 +31 -39 Sydney Gates May. 2, 2011
    "church and state should be seperate. saying this why should under God be in the pledge? many americans that love their country are not christians so why should they have to say under God.."
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    • -1 +2 -3 Bob May. 19, 2011
      "Because this isn't about religion, it's about the fact that our country was founded on christian principles. But your right. Let's make church and state seperate. Lets kill the declaration of independence because it mentions God. All money should be taken away because we don't trust in God right? The constitution is therefore invalid and wrong because it says God. Did it ever occur to ANYONE that western civilization was influenced by Christianity since it came? But I fully agree. After all church and state should be kept seperate."
  • -8 +29 -37 Gail Apr. 28, 2011
    "The words 'under God' were added at the height of the McCarthy era, and, given the constitutional requirement of the separation of Church and State, do not belong in the Pledge of Allegiance. Regardless of one's personal beliefs, the Constitution is the one document all Americans return to, and 'under God' is not part of that."
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  • -9 +14 -23 Cae Palmer Nov. 3, 2011
    "I dissagee"
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    • +4 +4 0 Kmendez6562 Dec. 2, 2011
      "spell check!!"
  • -10 +15 -25 Valerie Palmer Jun. 23, 2011
    "The Pledge of Allegiance adopted in 1892 during a time of political turmoil and a great influx of immigrants, calls on all to profess their dedication to the American flag and for all it stands: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
    The change in phrasing came about in 1954 "one Nation under God". The pledge of Allegiance came about for ALL Citizens of the United States. I am a Christian and a Constitutionalist, my beliefs are that the Pledge, originally written without the reference to God, and should remain original. I also believe that each agency religious or state run should choose which version conforms to their mission."
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  • -10 +32 -42 Amber Jun. 23, 2011
    "I will not pledge my allegiance to God."
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    • +2 +4 -2 Leon Burnes Jan. 20, 2012
      "Aw, now that's just being stubborn!"
  • -10 +21 -31 Mend May. 13, 2011
    ""Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

    The idea of a single God is opposed to ideas of polytheistic religions and those who have no belief in a creator. Although the pledge not mandatory but is a law under the Flag Code, the phrase "under God" praises the ideas of some the religions that are set with the idea of a single God."
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  • -10 +23 -33 R. Horton May. 9, 2011
    "Why not Gods, plural? Why not Goddess or Goddesses? The singular denotation of God in such a pledge shows a bias toward a monotheistic, patriarchal faith. If we are truly enlightened enough to respect the freedom of worshiping (or not) as we choose, then we must not be so specific."
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    • +1 +1 0 Josh Jul. 22, 2011
      "That is so true. I mean, if someone was, say, Hindu, it'd kind of be against their religion to say "Under God". And if you're Muslim, why not "Under Allah"?"
  • -11 +23 -34 Doyle Jun. 21, 2011
    "Maybe when god answers prayers then we can say "under God". God has to earn it. With all the floods this year, it's like one nation under water. Praying to god doesn't seem to help."
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    • -3 +2 -5 Tom Jun. 23, 2011
      "God is not subject to our whims or outcries when things do not go our way. The U.S. continues to permit godlessness and so the mercy of God is lessening in our daily affairs. Without a change of heart and obedience to God, prayers will be of no value."
  • -14 +27 -41 Cindy Apr. 28, 2011
    "Regarding the Pledge, so eliminate 'under God,' but DO NOT eliminate the whole pledge, this should still be said every morning in every school in the United States of America. As far as I know, it already has been banned in every school, this is an outrage, we need every student to understand and look up to the US, and saying the pledge every morning the twelve years I was in school was nothing but an inspiration, and to already have taken that away is a travesty!!!"
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  • -23 +9 -32 MikeReuter Aug. 30, 2011
    "I am a devout, orthodox Reformed Christian. I believe that God comes above all things. Including the reference to God in pledge of ALLEGIANCE. Pledging our allegiance to anything but God is wrong."
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    • +6 +7 -1 Zachary Sep. 14, 2011
      "You can worship God all you want, but you don't need to force it on (some non-religious) children in PUBLIC SCHOOOLS. Private schools can add their own special pledge for God, if they want."
  • -33 +21 -54 Jack Tanner Jun. 24, 2011
    "The flag pledge waste time in public meetings.""
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