Sunday, March 24, 2013

Two of my favorite things History and research.

History is one of my favorite things to research because, I love learning things I didn't know. Being able to do it at home on the internet is nice, since getting out is more challenging then it used to be. What I found that I didn't know is, over time small changes were made or added to many things I didn't think or know they could be changed. Until I learned the history of the changes made and why did I understand. Why The Pledge of Allegiance, became a first Amendment issue for many people, here is a brief history of it.
The Pledge of Allegiance 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.
In its original form it read: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration.
Today it reads:
"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."

Today many people in the United States want the Pledge of Allegiance put back into the public school system. Since times have changed, as it always does, we are now as we began, a mix of many faiths and wanting to keep this country true to it's founding including all people within this Nation, I agree it should go back into the public school. Without the last two words that were added in 1954.

Have we all forgotten the main reason our fore fathers came here,  it was for religious freedom. Being men of great faith in God, with little faith in the history of mankind acting on God behalf. I do believe God has a place in the hearts and minds of people. However religion has no place in government for freedom of all it's people and why it also needed, The bill of right’s. The history of governments that made religion the center point or corner stone of it government. The first thing lost is the freedom of the individual. That proof  is now being seen in the congress and in some state's by passing person hood bills, that removes the Right's of a woman over her own body and life. Sorry being a woman it seems very wrong to me. It opens a door to making rape an okay thing for men to do. We are better than this aren't we?

The way a country treats the least of it's people, will show the greatness of the Nation. It's not about government it's about all of the people within it!
                                                                                                                                                                                               When people are quoting The amendments of the Bill of Right's to make a point. Would very much like it if people would use the Amendment as it is written not only the part of it they feel supports them the best.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

I'm guessing that, A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, doesn't sound as good as the last part. Using only half of a sentence in attempting of proving a point, is pointless.

Just saying...Right or wrong this is how I see.

Feel free to comment, please don't be rude. Thank you:-)

2 comments:

Travelogue for the Universe said...

Thanks for the history lesson. Let's change God to your God or Guiding Principle. The addition of that one phrase does say your God, your belief. Without that, our individualism is gone. Love this discussion!Have a great day.Mary

Mary Mennenga said...

Thanks Mary Gerdt, Being a Nation of laws and how mankind has failed acting on God behalf as history continues to repeat itself every time we do. For the freedom of all, I still think it's better to keep God out of our government. As humans we lack the qualifications to stand in judgment of anyone's faith.
As for our individualism it lives within our constitution always has always will, for it continues to give rights yet can't take right away, in a way it grows with us. Mary M.