Saw this on Facebook today:
No, I do not agree.
Contrary to what many people think, the Pledge has nothing to do with our founding fathers. It was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth’s Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
It didn’t have “the Flag of the United States of America” in it at the time. That was not added until 1923.
“Under God” was added during the Eisenhower administration in 1954 to counteract communism. Bellamy’s daughter objected to that change.
Making children recite memorized slogans in a public forum, under peer pressure, is a form of brainwashing and propaganda. Just like school prayer.
We should give our children the gift of critical thinking. When they know how to think for themselves, they can decide to what and who they should have allegiance for, based on merit, not on memorized slogans, especially if they don’t know the origins of those slogans.
Once they are adults, they should have been exposed to a number of political philosophies and different religions, and it should be an easy and obvious choice for them to decide which ones they want to subscribe to.
Agree 100% — it’s just religion in the guise of nationalism — both corrosive and forms of child abuse. Better to have kids say, “I pledge allegiance to the truth, to being kind, etc.”
I agree with you. Thanks for the background. How I wish more people knew it was written by a socialist.
Thanks for being a voice of reason. If people would simply look at history and apply the lessons to today…critical thinking is so important. The pledge is wonderful. Saying it or not saying it isn’t a matter of loyalty or party…it’s a beautiful unifying thing when it is used to applaud the good of the country instead of used to define who the country is good for.
Maybe a 7th grade civics class or American history would be beneficial. That’s just me talking crazy.