In the aftermath of 911 our faith has been tested and our patriotism has been called upon each day as we try to continue with our lives. In many cases school districts throughout the country have instituted new campaigns to strengthen and encourage patriotism through reciting the pledge of allegiance each morning. However misguided someone has now inevitably taken our pledge to court for the words "under God" which were added by Congress in 1953. I believe however that the pledge should stay in schools because precisely because it does foster patriotism, is simply a tradition with any religious intent lost in repetition, and there the fact that there must be a limit placed on the current trend of rule by the minority. .
After the terrorists attacks a great thing occurred in our country consisting of unity, strength, and patriotism. This sense of patriotism has been encouraged especially in our youth by posting the flag in schools and reciting the pledge of allegiance. For me personally the pledge took on new meaning and this goal of promoting patriotism has in my mind been achieved. The pledge has not been forced upon us or required but it has been accepted willingly by the majority of the students in our schools and stands as a symbolic pillar of democracy and pride in our country.
Second is the fact that any religious implications are lost in the repetition of the pledge. When the majority of people recite the pledge of allegiance they do so without even the trace of a thought of their religion or another. When I recite the words "under God" it does not conjure up images of God, Jesus, Allah, or Shiva but is merely part of the pledge. One does not dissect the pledge on a daily basis and the specific words are not nearly as important as the intent and meaning of the pledge as a whole. In addition to this the word God is so vague it could mean a number of deities or entities and at worse could encourage a child to actually investigate different religions and choose for their own beliefs instead of readily accepting the beliefs of his or her parents.
