21st Annual Bill of Rights
Art and Essay Contest, 2004-2005

TOPIC:  Does reciting "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance at school violate the Constitution?

3rd Prize, Middle School

by an 8th-grade Pacific Grove Middle School student

Reciting the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools violates the Constitution. The history of the Pledge shows no valid reason why the words "under God" should be left in the Pledge. Based on the First Amendment which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," the government should not have any preference in religion. The benefits from taking out the words "under God" out of the Pledge far outweigh the consequences of leaving it how it is. Therefore, by removing "under God," no one is offended or excluded, and the Bill of Rights is not violated.

To better understand this argument, it helps to know about the history of the Pledge. The Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, and originally stated "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." By the 1920's it was widely practiced in schools, and Congress approved the Pledge in 1942. In 1954, the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance. Adding "under God" to the Pledge was one of several changes that the government made to separate America from the "atheistic Communists" in the USSR. President Eisenhower wanted to bring together the U.S. and strengthen its religious faith during the Cold War and Red Scare in America. The Pledge has remained the same for almost 50 years. In the Supreme Court case of Newdow vs. United States Congress, Mike Newdow sued on behalf of his daughter to remove the words "under God" in the Pledge. Yet on June 14, 2004, the Supreme Court did not really make a conclusion, and rejected Newdow's claim because he did not have full custody of his daughter.

"Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment, which states that Congress cannot establish a religion or prohibit free exercise of religion. Some people believe that the United States has a Christian foundation and can be involved in religion as long as it helps all religions equally, while others believe there should be a wall of separation between church and state. In either interpretation, using "under God" in the Pledge still violates the First Amendment. Just by mentioning "God," religion is in public schools and thus church and state are not separated. This phrase does not help all religions equally, as it excludes atheists, non-monotheistic believers, and may offend people who call their god by other names, such as Buddhists and Muslims.

There are also people who support keeping "under God" in the Pledge. They believe that since there are other references to God, such as on money and songs, if we take out "under God" from the Pledge, we would have to change these other references. Yet this argument can be contradicted, as our money and national motto had "God" added at the same time the Pledge did, and should be changed if the nation chooses to. Songs and mentions of God in speeches and inaugurations are optional, and thus not enforced by the government and just a free exercise of religion. The supporters to keep the Pledge how it is also argue that students may choose to not say "God" or replace it with the name of whatever god they want. Yet young children easily influeced by their peers probably do not know they can omit "under God," or do not want to stand out from the rest of the class. These two words, "under God," most likely have no effect on kids that do not even know what the Pledge means, but if parents think referencing God is important, they should teach them about religion at home.

The phrase "under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. We may never know what the Founding Fathers wanted in a Pledge of Allegiance, but what they left us in the Constitution and their writings show that they wanted a separation between church and state. Imagine if a majority of the people support a Pledge saying "one nation under no God." Many people would be offended and demand change. Just because the majority supports something, does not mean the minority should be ignored. To avoid conflicts over religion, the government should avoid religious references. Thus, "under God" should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, so the First Amendment is respected and everyone's rights are protected.