There is no doubt that the God mentioned in our Pledge of Allegiance refers to the Judeo-Christian God of the Bible, rather than to some arbitrary monotheistic contrivance. Perhaps this is why some feel so offended, or perhaps even threatened by its utterance in the public schools. Also, the word God, just spoken once, can have significant implications to a young mind. In the pledge, it suggests that something greater than humanity exists. It also proposes that the state is subject to divine authority. However, do those ideas really pose a threat to society? And, there will always be those who are offended, no matter how much they are appeased.
This intolerance toward religious influence in the public schoolroom is making its final assault. If this assault were born out of a genuine concern for children, it should be seriouly taken to heart. It sadly appears that its purpose is fueled merely by selfish bias.
Proselytizing children to believe a particular religious faith should never be the concern of educators in public schools. Instead, those values found to provoke understanding, healthy attitudes and curiosity should be brought to light. If agnostics and atheists believe this, then the word ‘God’ spoken in the Pledge of Allegiance should be viewed as offering a platform for intellectual debate. I can’t think of an educational endeavor more stagnant than one in which controversy is smothered, especially when it is done by the selfishly insecure.
Lynnwood
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