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Ford_Prefect

(8,261 posts)
15. The phrase "under God" was not part of the pledge until the Red Scare days of the 1950's.
Fri Feb 2, 2024, 08:32 AM
Feb 2024
The saying “one nation under God” is a part of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America. An early version of the pledge was composed in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch. Balch was an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War who wanted to find ways to teach patriotism to young children in the public schools. A few years later, in 1892, Francis Bellamy, a Baptist pastor from New York, significantly revised and expanded Balch’s original pledge in an effort to promote the 1893 World Fair. This version of the pledge went largely unaltered for decades when Congress officially adopted it in 1942 at the start of World War II.

However, the saying “one nation under God” was not a part of Bellamy’s pledge (the original draft simply stated, “One nation, indivisible”). In fact, Bellamy staunchly believed in the separation of Church and State and intentionally did not include any references to God in the pledge. It wasn’t until 1954 under the direction of President Eisenhower that the words “under God” were added to the pledge. This was mostly due to the growing fear of communism throughout the United States during the Cold War.

The inclusion of the phrase under God was meant to reaffirm America’s heritage as a predominately Judeo-Christian nation in the face of looming global threats (especially ones that were derived from atheistic, materialist worldviews such as communism). Having just come out of World War II, and with the Cold War in full swing, President Eisenhower sought to unify the nation and proclaim trust in God against destructive, godless forces.


https://www.gotquestions.org/one-nation-under-God.html

Recommendations

12 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

We need more people to stand and say no Voltaire2 Feb 2024 #1
And tell 'em why B.See Feb 2024 #2
i havnt said it for years for various reasons . this one included. AllaN01Bear Feb 2024 #31
I haven't either! Grins Feb 2024 #37
I'm old enough to remember when the "under god" was put into the Pledge. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2024 #48
I "ain't" mad at him. LoisB Feb 2024 #3
Rep. Justin Jones takes a stand. ProudMNDemocrat Feb 2024 #4
But, ignoring oath of office, as many of them do, is OK Attilatheblond Feb 2024 #18
Rrp. Jones is not violating his oath of office. ProudMNDemocrat Feb 2024 #39
Jones is NOT the one I was referring to Attilatheblond Feb 2024 #43
My apologies. I misunderstood you. ProudMNDemocrat Feb 2024 #44
It happens Attilatheblond Feb 2024 #45
Good for him! wolfie001 Feb 2024 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author bucolic_frolic Feb 2024 #6
Okay PJMcK Feb 2024 #7
I say, "One Nation under Law" when I say the pledge Captain Zero Feb 2024 #9
Ooh, Delphinus Feb 2024 #12
I like that a lot, and I'm not even an atheist! ShazzieB Feb 2024 #35
The phrase "under God" was not part of the pledge until the Red Scare days of the 1950's. Ford_Prefect Feb 2024 #15
Hmm... bdamomma Feb 2024 #20
"In God We Trust" was put on our currency during the same red scare period. bsiebs Feb 2024 #36
Republicans once again proving their hypocrisy. All talk an no walk. KPN Feb 2024 #8
The 'Pledge of Allegiance' sop Feb 2024 #10
GQP want Rep. Jones to resign.............................. Lovie777 Feb 2024 #11
Indeed Delphinus Feb 2024 #13
F these hypocrites...oath to protect from enemies domestic JT45242 Feb 2024 #14
Have not been able to do the 'liberty & justice for all' since Nixon was pardoned Attilatheblond Feb 2024 #16
Have refused to say pledge gibraltar72 Feb 2024 #17
A little more than 50 for me MurrayDelph Feb 2024 #29
jones is a necessary needle et tu Feb 2024 #19
Rep Jones bdamomma Feb 2024 #21
totally agree et tu Feb 2024 #23
Both Justins, Jones and Pearson. sheshe2 Feb 2024 #46
The party of death threats, how many for not giving the pledge? Brainfodder Feb 2024 #22
We only said it in my classroom when some kid requested it. Good on Rep. Jones. Magoo48 Feb 2024 #24
GOPers treat their supposed "patriotism" the way they do their alleged "Christianity." GoCubsGo Feb 2024 #25
Please specify that this is a Tennessee issue and not a US Congress issue. LonePirate Feb 2024 #26
Thanks for this important clarification! Duppers Feb 2024 #27
In this specific case a regional issue,... magicarpet Feb 2024 #28
Thank you. The linked article is rather clear, I think B.See Feb 2024 #34
What kind of country demands constant displays of adoration and loyalty? SidneyR Feb 2024 #30
tell the goper leader to take a hike. AllaN01Bear Feb 2024 #32
It would be nice if we lived up to that pledge. republianmushroom Feb 2024 #33
Would they be calling for resignation if BlueKota Feb 2024 #38
I sure wish he was representing my district Generic Brad Feb 2024 #40
good for him!! Evolve Dammit Feb 2024 #41
HELL YES Skittles Feb 2024 #42
Enough Said nwliberalkiwi Feb 2024 #47
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