God in the Pledge of Allegiance
The phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has been debated for a long time. The Pledge was written in 1892, but the phrase "under God" was added in 1954 during the Cold War. The United States government added these words to show that America was different from the Soviet Union, which did not believe in God. Some people believe that this addition is important because it reflects America's religious values. They feel that by including "under God," the country shows respect for the faith that many Americans follow. However others feel that it violates the first amendment: people are free to practice their own religion and the Establishment Clause: the government cannot establish a national religion. For some people, the phrase "under God" is a reminder of America’s Christian roots branching from England. Many Christians believe that the phrase acknowledges the role of God in the nation's history and is what led to its success. The...