This weekend folks all over the US will be celebrating the July 4th Holiday, Independence Day. Cooking out, patriotic music, visiting with family and friends and fireworks will encompass much of the holiday for many people. Larger gatherings might also include flags and a repeating of the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.”
Every public school student, Boy Scout and Girl Scout is expected to know the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is recited at ball games, many other sports events and most all patriotic events.
Now there is also large amounts of debate over whether the phrase “under God” should be in the Pledge or not. In actuality, that phrase was not original to the Pledge and wasn’t officially added until 1954. You can hear prominent religious leaders complain about people who omit that phrase “Taking God out of America“. Woe to the public official who omits that portion.
But did you know holding your hand over your heart is a new addition to saying the Pledge of Allegiance? Guess what the original method was! An uplifted arm raised toward the flag. Think Heil Hitler! The salute was called the Bellamy salute. For obvious reasons the salute was changed to a hand over the heart in 1942. Woe to the politician who doesn’t hold his hand over his heart to recite the pledge.
Should politicians and public officials be judged harshly for omitting the phrase? Or failing to place their hand over their heart?
What about Jehovah’s Witnesses who feel the Pledge of Allegiance is idolatry? There were riots against those who were Jehovah Witnesses because they refused to pledge. Congress in 1940 ruled that students could be compelled to pledge even if they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, that ruling was overturned in 1943. Today students are not compelled to stand or to pledge at least according to the law.
So where do you stand?
Have you actually considered it?
What does it mean to Pledge of Allegiance?
I’ll share my thoughts later after you’ve had a chance to consider the Pledge of Allegiance.