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Jennifer Caggiano

The Pledge of Allegiance

By: Jennifer Caggiano
College Now Course - BSS 1

In San Francisco, a federal judge ruled that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional. It was ruled unconstitutional because of the phrase "under God". I disagree with the judge's ruling on this case. To me the Pledge of Allegiance is constitutional and should be recited in public schools.

A pledge is simply a promise to something. The Pledge of Allegiance is simply a promise to this nation. The phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is being taken too literally. People are considering that we are only pledging to one God, but in the United States of America we are promised freedom of religion. Therefore, when the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, the words "under God" should have more than just one meaning. Not to just one God in particular but to any God that a person believes in. Whether it is Jesus Christ or any other God believed in all around the world.

When people come to this nation yes, they are promised freedoms and opportunities, but just like every other nation this nation should be shown some respect. This country gives people so much. The least we could do is say the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of all the great resources that this country gives to us. In so many other countries people do not have these opportunities, so they come here for a new start. They use all that America can give them, but when it comes to saying a simple pledge in school it's not okay.

These people along with there children come here from other countries to start a new life. Then their children sit in our classrooms and disagree with saying The Pledge of Allegiance, and we rule it unconstitutional. When it was people who originally came from other countries that wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. In my opinion, people come here and use this country and don't appreciate it. If they have a problem reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, they should just simply not recite it while they are in class.

People have to realize that the Pledge of Allegiance is a pledge to this country, and that they live here so they should, at least, have enough respect for this country and recite it. We may be a country of freedom but we are also a country that has morals. People do come here from all around the world, and in some ways they should get accustomed to living as an American citizen. WE should not have to change everything that someone doesn't like because then we will forget what it means to be an American. This is why the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited in public schools.