Kimberly Mecham American Civ.

Under God
The Pledge of Allegiance, like the country from which it came, has seen its share of changes and compromise and has taken many men to make it what it is today. Originally written in August of 1892, first debuted in the September 1892 edition of The Youths Companion. The original version was as follows, I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge was penned by socialist minister and a chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association, Francis Bellamy. Bellamy wrote and designed a salute to the flag in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus coming to America. Only 21 words long, it was intended to be non-specific in order to be used in any country as a pledge of loyalty. In America, unity indivisible was still a powerful concept after the civil war. According to some accounts of Bellamy as author, he decided to write a pledge of

allegiance, rather than a salute, because it was a stronger expression of loyalty something particularly significant even 27 years after the Civil War ended. One Nation indivisible referred to the outcome of the Civil War, and Liberty and Justice for all expressed the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.(Celebrating Americas Freedoms- US Department of Veteran
Affairs.) In the National Flag Conference of 1924, the Pledge was changed from My Flag, to The flag, of the United States of America. This went against Bellamys original sentiment but he was ignored. In the early fifties, the organization known as The Knights of Columbus began using the phrase, Under God in their ceremonies. They felt so strongly about their addition that they sent copies to the President, the Vice President and members of Congress. The petition was repeated the following year and in 1954, with the rise of Communist fear, President Eisenhower supported the change. The President expressed his gratitude the President of the National Fraternal Congress, Supreme

Knight Luke E. Hart in a message at the Supreme Council in Louisville on August 17, 1954. We are particularly thankful to you for your part in the movement to have the words under God added to our Pledge of Allegiance. These words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded. For the contribution which your organization has made to this cause, we must be genuinely grateful.
Wishing to rally the people together under a divine strength, he suggested to Congress that the phrase, Under God be inserted. Many people opposed the change but it was officially added. Bellamys

granddaughter opposed on his behalf, but like her grandfather, was not heard. She argued that Bellamy was pressured out of the church and upon retirement in Florida, stopped going altogether in protest of the racism he found there. Under God was welcomed in some circles but fiercely silenced in others. While speaking the words, One Nation and Indivisible, the nation was divided in silence and bold voices for their God. Today, the phrase Under God is recognized for its role in the pledge but the fight goes on. New soldiers and new motives, the sides are the same. While the original law the demanded children recite the pledge in school was short lived, the pledge is being boldly spoken less and less. What was once an everyday ritual is now a numb recitation remembered perhaps on patriotic holidays over a crackling intercom. There is a chance the pledge may return to its former length in the future as more and more advocates arise with pledges of their own. The words are disputed and even the bottom line of unity as a nation is becoming an out of date concept. Individuality and freedom of expression is becoming more and more precious. Perhaps with the events of history go the values and we must change with them. With every battle we rage as a nation, whether it be weapons or words, we require new pledges and phrases to bind us together. When we do away with deity, we hopefully keep the idea of Allegiance.

Bibliography
1. The Pledge of Allegiance, A Short History by Dr. John W. Baer Copyright 1992 2. U.Shistory.org, Historic Documents. 3.www.kofc.org The Pledge of Allegiance

Creator

The belief that we are a Christian nation is one that has been shared many times since the beginning us. In 1864, after many urgings from public and officials, the secretary of the treasury, Salmon P. Chase encouraged and assisted in the design of In God we Trust on American coinage. We find mentions of God in letters, documentation and art of the time. It is a common theme and battleground for centuries. God is a part of our history if for no other reason than tradition. One vague mention which appears in the Declaration of Independence, seems slightly different than the rest. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness. Thomas Jefferson chose, not to list God by name with fire and passion behind it but instead to use the term, Creator. While at first glance, one might be quick to define the term as meaning God, but the author leaves no clue that he is referring to deity. Why would he not, by name, use such a powerful tool in rallying the cause? Thomas Jefferson was rarely heard to speak on his religious beliefs but he is quoted as once saying to his nephew Peter Carr, Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. Jefferson is known to be a student of The Enlightenment. A philosophy that declares liberty and equality were natural human rights. Many other founding fathers shared this view and for that reason pushed for religious freedom making our country what we see in the paintings and history books. Jefferson after, after leaving Continental Congress, began focusing on removing aristocrat ic privilege from Virginias laws. In 1777, he was responsible for composing the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. The writing, after compromise and revision, passed in 1789. While the idea is an essential one to American ideals, Jefferson was then on thought of as opposition to religion. If was not championing the cause, he was against it. James Madison, a friend of Jefferson and politician of the time said this of the work, [it] extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind. Jefferson uses the words God, Almighty, and holy author in the statute. He speaks of a God who created men to think for themselves and be the master of their thoughts. He described religion to be a cage on the human mind and freedom. He speaks of God and insinuates a belief then why was he not as bold in the most recognized document of our history? Using instead, Creator. Jefferson noticeably does not add use the image of an all-powerful God to prove his point, to bring images that religion conjured at the time of fear and wrath. The feelings instead go to mens strength and capability. Whether created by God or science or magic, we are created equally with similar opportunity for beliefs and growth. The term created means, simply, made, came to be. Jefferson was not clouding his meaning with controversial terms and beliefs. He believed in religious freedom and he also believed in unifying his country. He understood that not the many people of a nation were bound to disagree on religion. He was in charge of writing a declaration that brought the people of a unique nation together. He wisely took that into consideration when composing Independence. The United States of America was not born in a mature state but came to be and grew like the rest of us. Gradually and with trial and conflict. The issues of our past, present and future are debatable. That, however, is what makes us who we are. It is what formed our country and its freedoms in the first place. The open understanding and opportunity in the face

of aristocracy and oppression is what attracted people from all over the world to people and form our nation. Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of unity and freedom and we see that in studying his life and his works. Despite our belief in God and religion, we are safe in this place.

Bibliography 1 Declaration of Independence 2. www.monticello.org Jefferson and Enlightenment, 3.

In God We Trust
In the aftermath of the Civil War, many people were bothered by the situation of unity in the nation. The war then over for 27 years, was still on the minds of the citizens and required further bandaging for healing. The Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, was receiving letters of encouragement for installing a strong religious motto on the currency. One letter in particular from minister Rev. M. R. Watkinson, spoke of an idea. Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances. One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins. You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW. This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters. To you first I address a subject that must be agitated. The Secretary was convinced ant in 1861 prepared the long process to design and get approved, a motto. The motto has not left our currency despite many arguments for the removal. Eisenhower, a proponent of many faiths, had this to say on the subject,
"In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

Bibliography 1. US Department of Treasury 2. History.com