"The sordid history of the Pledge of Allegiance" Topic

"If you ask anyone who's attended public school in America to say the Pledge of Allegiance, they'll likely be able to rattle it off from memory. But while it feels like an elemental part of the American educational system, the Pledge is not only unique in a democratic nation that prides itself on liberty and free will, but it's also evolved through history to reflect the country's of-the-moment political and cultural anxieties.

In 1892, less than 30 years after the Civil War, the United States was gearing up to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World. At the same time, millions of immigrants from Europe were arriving on U.S shores. While some resident Americans wanted to keep these immigrants out, others thought it best to help them assimilate and become "good" citizens—not only with basic skills like reading and writing, but also through patriotic sentiment and pageantry, says Charles Dorn, a professor of education at Bowdoin College…"

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Armand

Expressions of piety matter, and the value itself is essential. The Pledge is a good thing, however it came to be.

Polybius thought that it is PIETY that separates democacy from mob rule. American piety has steadily diminished -- and has BEEN diminished on purpose -- over the past decades.

Thanks

Armand

doc mcb is correct. It is a statement of unity of the American people, and of our common vision.

If you cannot in good conscience recite it, then why are you here? Why work for a company you hate? Why live in a nation you despise? It's not like you can't easily leave the USA for greener pastures.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

" It's not like you can't easily leave the USA for greener pastures."
.
Why would you leave. Free lodging, food, and health care.
Also the right to bitch about everything and anything.

(smile)

Armand

"it's also evolved through history to reflect the country's of-the-moment political and cultural anxieties."

I taught high school in the late 70's and 80's. My students always started my 1st period class with the pledge. I taught U.S. History and government. Freedom of Religion is a deep theme in our history and government. And our collective response to Religion tends to illuminate our cultural anxieties.

The phrase "In God We Trust" wasn't stamped on our money until 1955, in direct response to the Communist fears and incidents of American POWs being 'brainwashed' by Northern Koreans. When the cultural anxiety becomes heightened, you have sort of a 'no unbelievers in foxholes' societal response.

oc mcb is correct. It is a statement of unity of the American people, and of our common vision.

It is and meant to be, but with that "under God" included, it goes against the vision of a secular government providing citizens the freedom to believe what they wanted, rather than the government telling them what to believe.

The U.S. has more than enough common beliefs and values to bond us together without requiring all of us to pledge to a nation 'under one Christian god.' Those areligious values are what are seen as so attractive about the US. And I say that as a Christian. you know, Christians, the followers of the man who ignored earthly politics altogether to focus on people, only to have Religious politics kill him.

American piety has steadily diminished -- and has BEEN diminished on purpose -- over the past decades.

On purpose? Really? Faith and piety are that weak, is it? The Puritans lamented the same loss of piety in society during the 1600s. If American piety has steadily diminished, the churches and American families of the faithful only have themselves to blame.