50 years ago there was an affirmation of important ideals that our nation held true. it was added as a stance for our identity. Of course it is identity. If you want to say we did it because of the commie russians...fine...stay with that. We identified ourselves by embracing one of our cherished beliefs. An American foundational truth of our history embodied in the present. The use of the word God SEPARATED ourselves giving us identity. It conjoined a long held belief with our country. It was an identification of who we were in relation to the world. It said, this is who we are, because this is where we came from and what we a majority happen to believe. It was a verification and affirmation of our foundation - definatly national identity.
(Anymore "-tion" ending words and I'll shoot myself)
And it is a big deal when you add or subtract anything that has to do with national tradition or national anything. It needs to be mulled over and discussed. They become important points historically. Keep making discussion, even in places like this forum, these little things form opinions and arguments that could lead to something important on a personal level or even on a national one.
Is someone somehow less of an American because they don't pledge to the Pledge's God?
Is actually saying the Pledge a verification of a belief in God? Look at it like this...law makers see the constitution as a living document. it can be taken a number of ways, parts interpreted in different ways, and parts added to it. to give us more clarity, should be draw up a completly new constitution? literally replace the last one and draw up a more clear and concise one drawing from the old and creating a more perfect constitution. something that has no grey areas. we could do that. and it could very well work. but why don't we? because it is honored and recognized, revered and cherished...and we make due with it...do the best we can.
The pledge. For 50 years we have said it as such, and it echos a simple idea of identity and involvement with the past and present. Like the constitution, we don't have to rip it up. rather let it endure as part of who we are, because that is what was intended. And like the constitution let it grow. Define the word God as the one you believe in. Redefine the word to your own likeness, making whatever you hold highest in your life that word. It's the idea of the personal nation being part of the nation. It is belief, not universal belief, but what you hold as truest and nobelest, and giving honor to the nation through it and to it. It can be a beautiful thing, and just as diverse as our people.
I don't promote the belief in Christianity into governing law, but I do promote tradition, honor, and loyalty to our identity that is of such immense value to us as a whole. let the words live and grow rather than die.
It's as ridiculous as those people that think flag burning is somehow a threat to our "national security".
i agree not a threat to national security. it is a threat to One Nation xxxxx Xxx indivisible. it threatens national pride, and togetherness. it divides. and it really pisses off a lot of people who fought for it. there are many other ways to voice an opinion. no one should ever be arrested over it...no way, not ever. it's more of an ideal of respect to the symbol of freedom, not a flag that stands for whoever is in office this year.
<IMG SRC="http://members.hometown.aol.com/frigginbooger/myhomepage/rensig.jpg">
~he knows a little