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One Nation Under God

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billwald

New Member
Exactly what does it mean and exactly why was it added to the pledge?

from wiki: The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942

Did Americans become more or less "patriotic" after 1892?
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
billwald said:
Exactly what does it mean and exactly why was it added to the pledge?

from wiki: The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942

Did Americans become more or less "patriotic" after 1892?
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And remember 'under God' was not even added till the mid-50s.
 
J

jaigner

Active Member
It's a ridiculous addition borne out of a time of American pride that "baptizes" everything we do, so that we can do no wrong.

It's pure rubbish. We've never, not for a second, been "under God."
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
jaigner said:
It's a ridiculous addition borne out of a time of American pride that "baptizes" everything we do, so that we can do no wrong.

It's pure rubbish. We've never, not for a second, been "under God."
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Well, not in more than a general sense in which all of creation is.
 
M

mandym

New Member
I Pledge Allegiance -I Promise to be faithful and true (Promise my loyalty)

to the flag -to the emblem that stands for and represents

of the United States -all 50 states, each of them individual, and individually represented on the flag

of America -yet formed into a UNION of one Nation.

and to the Republic -And I also pledge my loyalty to the Government that is itself a Republic, a form of government where the PEOPLE are sovereign,

for which it stands,- this government also being represented by the Flag to which I promise loyalty.

one Nation under God,- These 50 individual states are united as a single Republic under the Divine providence of God, "our most powerful resource" (according to the words of President Eisenhower)

Indivisible, -and can not be separated. (This part of the original version of the pledge was written just 30 years after the beginning of the Civil War and demonstrates the unity sought in the years after that divisive period in our history)

with Liberty -The people of this Nation being afforded the freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and happiness",

and Justice -And each person entitled to be treated justly, fairly, and according to proper law and principle,

for All.-And these principles afforded to EVERY AMERICAN, regardless of race, religion, color, creed, or any other criteria. Just as the flag represents 50 individual states that can not be divided or separated, this Nation represents millions of people who can not be separated or divided.
 
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mandym

New Member
In 1892, 1923, 1924 and 1954 the American people demonstrated enough concern about the actual words in the Pledge to make some necessary changes.

The last change in the Pledge of Allegiance occurred on June 14 (Flag Day), 1954 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved adding the words "under God". As he authorized this change he said:

"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."

http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
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mandym

New Member
C4K said:
I am not so sure that 'transcendence of religious faith' has anything to do with Bible faith in Jesus Christ.
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Of course not. Because if it did then your whole point would be useless. The need for a secular government of the theological left astounds me.
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
mandym said:
Of course not. Because if it did then your whole point would be useless. The need for a secular government of the theological left astounds me.
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So which God (or god) is the US under?
One's view on God in government hardly is enough evidence to accuse them of leftward thinking theology.
 
Baptist Believer

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
mandym said:
Of course not. Because if it did then your whole point would be useless. The need for a secular government of the theological left astounds me.
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You need to remove yourself from association from some of the strongest advocates of secular government then... the Baptist movement.

Every major Baptist group affirms religious liberty and separation of church and state - that has been our position throughout our entire history.

The Southern Baptist Convention (of which you have claimed membership) explicitly affirms that church and state should be separate.

You are correct though, historically, the concept of a secular state (and the Baptist view of the rights of government over conscience) is a theologically-left position.
 
J

Jim1999

<img src =/Jim1999.jpg>
quote: What? Where did you get such silliness?
------------------------------------------------

Your founding fathers! Ever study their theology, or lack thereof? They were non-church goers, universalists and out-and-out unbelievers.

Cheers,

Jim
 
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NiteShift

New Member
Your founding fathers! Ever study their theology, or lack thereof? They were non-church goers, universalists and out-and-out unbelievers.
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Some were. I do not understand why everyone gets so bent out of shape about a ritual that acknowledges a nation's welfare is dependent upon God's will, or one that asks for God's blessings.

My grandfather brought back a German belt buckle from WWI with the words "Gott Mit Uns" inscribed on it. Does anyone resent that Germans asked that God be with them? I can't imagine. It only seems to rile people up with reference to the U.S.
 
N

NiteShift

New Member
C4K said:
I, for one, am not riled. I simply consider it of very little consequence and not worth defending.
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Well every couple of months someone starts up a thread on the subject, and then others pile on saying in a dismissive way that the US was never Godly, or that the founders were not really Christians and so on. But the funny thing is we are the only ones who come up for such mocking.

These countries, among others, have a Christian cross on their national flags: Denmark, Greece, Finland, Georgia, Montenegro, Spain, Norway, UK, and no one ever says a word about it.

Here are some national mottos that no one seems to have a problem with:

Canadian - "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."

Philippines - "For God, People, Nature, and Country"

Poland – “God, Honor, Fatherland”

Dominican Republic – “God, Country, Liberty”

Scotland – “In My Defens God Me Defend”

Ecuador-“God, homeland and liberty”

Denmark…“God’s Help, the People’s Love, Denmark’s Strength”

Never seen anyone on BB trying to show that these peoples are godless universalists as they do with the Americans.
 
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