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Why The Pledge of Allegiance Should Be Revised Gwen Wilde The Exigencies (data) • The author is a college student. • She goes to Tufts University. • She wrote the essay for a course in college composition. • Her sources for research are – Religion Newswriters Foundation – CNN – Encyclopedia of Religion (FOF) – Doug Sterner (blogger) Background Assumptions • Given: all Americans are familiar with the pledge. • Reasonable assertion: most Americans do not know that “under God” is not in the original language. Her claim • “In my view, the addition of the words, “under God” is an inappropriate, and they are needlessly divisive—an odd addition indeed to a Nation that is said to be indivisible.” – What are her discourse markers? – What are her assumptions? – What does her diction imply? A second claim: this, therefore that… • “Very simply put, the Pledge in its latest form requires all Americans to say something that some Americans do not believe.” – Peer pressure compels “all but the bravest to join in the recitation.” • Is she implying that the minority of nonbelievers justify restricting the privileges of the majority? On Eisenhower’s language… • “I am not sure what ‘the transcendence of faith in America’s heritage means.’ – Premise: Many Americans have not been devout. – Premise: Many non-devout Americans have been patriotic. – Conclusion: you don’t need to be devout to be a patriotic American. • Is this a reasonable conclusion? The line of thought… • “…something like 70% or even 80% of Americans say they are affiliated with some form of Christianity….” • “Nevertheless, several million Americans do not believe in God.” • Is this argument sufficient without a reasonable definition of the word, God? Assertions • If one does not recite the words, “under God,” “…one is open to the charge of being unpatriotic.” • “Patriotism is connected to religious belief…” • One is open to the charge of being “un-American” if one does not express belief in a “divine power.” She is not arguing that… (qualifiers) • The Pledge is unconstitutional • The words “under God” add up to the ‘establishment of religion.’ – “…but they do assert a religious doctrine.” Counterarguments • “…under God” is not to be taken seriously. – It is merely a “descriptive phrase.” • The Pledge is a “commendable patriotic observance.” • “In God we trust” appears on our money. • Saying the Pledge is not compulsory. Rebuttals • Millions of Americans do not believe in God. • The Pledge is an affirmation that many are not prepared to make. • The pledge is a patriotic (not religious) observance. Truth-Seeking Principle Applied • “I am willing to put aside the issue of constitutionality. • “I am willing to grant that this phrase does not in any significant sense signify the ‘establishment of religion’” Be it Resolved That… • “I nevertheless insist that the phrase is neither ‘tepid’ or ‘diluted.’” • “The Pledge is divisive; it includes a phrase that many patriotic Americans cannot bring themselves to utter” • “The Pledge of Allegiance should be something that everyone can say, say out loud, and say with pride.”