Julia Sweeney's Discussion Forum

Pledge of Allegiance

A Permanent Solution because the religious can't complain as they are not removed, denied or denigrated!

Instead of taking out "under god," ADD, "or not" which gives us
"UNDER GOD OR NOT".
1)Their god is still in The Pledge so they can't complain of discrimination,
this removes the religious person's justification to be against the atheist position;
2)We atheists are in there;
3)Will educate children on a daily-basis across this country to learn critical thinking,
will be taught about choice of belief, inclusion, and tolerance; and
4)Will reduce the huge backlash that will occur if they did completely remove "under god".

"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."

As you know “under god” was only a later addition; therefore patriots and heroes fought and died for our Country
and people told the truth in Court before "under god" was added to the Pledge (or to the money).
On Perry Mason TV Show they were sworn-in under oath to tell the Truth without saying “under god”.


Sharon
California

Sharon,

I prefer my own solution, which is to simply omit the "under God."

Or Robin Williams's solution, which is to substitute "under Canada."

Oh, I don't know Jeff, I kind of like Sharon's idea, especially since the chances that official elimination of "under God" or adoption of the Williams plan are rather remote.
Of course, official approval of "or not" is even more unlikely.

Bu given that there is a comma/pause after "under God," a quick "or not" could easily be inserted by any pledge sayer, thereby making a greater statement than merely remaining silent as the deity salutation is spoken. I like the pledge better already!

Of course, for a child in school this plan has some potential problems, especially in the more rabidly thumping states and/or in classrooms where the teacher lacks a sense of humor or is him or herself a god-droid.

Sharon,
Welcome and please post more. But this is the "links" section. You'd get more discussion going in the "general" section.