Undergraduate / "Pledge of Allegiance Controversy" ApplyTexas Essay Topic B [11]

PROMPT: Choose an issue of importance to you- the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope- and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

"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." We associate these words with something we all recite at the beginning of school each day. But this isn't true for every school in the United States. I lived in Oregon for the first 10 years of my school life and by the time that I entered Jr. High, The Pledge was completely abolished from our everyday routine. It is said that the phrase "under God" has been reigned unconstitutional (CNN, 9/13/10), therefore it would no longer be acceptable to recite in public schools. I feel that saying the pledge in public schools should be the norm and each student should be allowed to say it or to opt out if it is against what they believe. The reciting of The Pledge of Allegiance itself is extremely significant to my generation not only because it boosts the recognition we give God for the role he has played in the building of our country and glorifies what all our nation stands for, but also I believe that if The Pledge were to be eradicated my generation and my children's generation would be put at risk for living in a Godless unpatriotic country.

Our country thrives on the basis that everything has been given to us by God. Having the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is perfectly fitting because it gives each of us the opportunity to concede all our material accomplishments as works of God. The keyword being opportunity, no one has been forced to recite The Pledge; rather each person has the freedom to choose whether or not they wish to say it. For that reason, The Pledge of Allegiance is not unconstitutional, but taking away our privilege to give recognition to God through The Pledge most certainly is unconstitutional. Our nation was brought to greatness through Christian principles and being that 82% of the United States population is Christian (adherents.com 9/15/10), it seems only fitting for The Pledge to address God and his importance in the building of our nation. Saying The Pledge each day as a child in public school is crucial in that it will teach my generation and generations to come that God is our ruler and our nation's ruler; that the groundwork for our country is indeed works of God.

When The Pledge was written, its purpose was to teach what our wonderful nation stands for. It is an oath for us to declare that we are committed to the United States and its democracy. Also, it is a promise to us as a people that the U.S.A. will stand together as an inseparable free nation with one ruler, God, who will guide our nation without fault. Learning this at a young age will teach children what it means to be an American, therefore granting them the opportunity to do all they can to keep it that way for their generation. If the Pledge of Allegiance is omitted from what is taught to children in public schools, it will hinder his or her ability to keep the nation moving in the direction that it was originally intended to go. Our forefathers founded this nation with certain principles, principles that have always kept the American population happy, motivated to not change what was initially set as the foundation for our country. The present generation in power feels it is necessary to change a lot of what was set as our nation's standards; I feel that this is because they weren't taught properly what all our principles represent and what it means to be an American. The Pledge of Allegiance is an outstanding tool used to teach those very philosophies, so why take this away from our future leaders? Why disadvantage them with the lack information about our country? It's only fair to me, my generation, and all the generations to come to enlighten the children about our nation, its principles, and how America is the greatest country to live in, thus providing our nation with willing and capable leaders.

I believe that the eradication of The Pledge would only be the beginning. Since the government feels it is necessary to obliterate the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance from public school's everyday routine because it includes the words "under God," what is stopping them from restraining students the right to pray before a test or to have a moment of silence for prayer or personal reflection? We need to fight for our freedom on this issue, because if we don't it may become too late, and future generations will have to bear the burden that we are preparing for them. I feel that by prohibiting the performing of the Pledge of Allegiance, it will lead to further nullification of other everyday rights we all are entitled to as United State citizens. Is this what we want our children to learn? I for one, want the future generations of our nation's leaders to be well informed of Gods role in the building of our country and what it means to be an American. We can insure this will take place if the children in public schools are granted the opportunity to learn this through the Pledge of Allegiance. Otherwise, I fear that my generation and future generations will be put at risk for living in a Godless unpatriotic country.