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September 16, 2005

The Pledge of Allegiance in Our Schools: Are judges violating our Constitutional freedoms?

The Innocence of Childhood

Some of my greatest childhood memories revolve around the Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich. For me, the 70's were wonderful years of plaid pants, bowl haircuts (scotch tape in my case), and a voracious appetite for learning. The anniversary of our country in 1976 brings back great memories of an American flag design contest and participation in a bicentennial parade wearing colonial garb. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and learning the words to such songs as God Bless America, America the Beautiful (authored by one of our locals, Katherine Lee Bates), My Country Tis of Thee, and the Star Spangled Banner were all part of my elementary education. There were many other wonderful tunes as well – some patriotic, some popular, and a few from other cultures and religions. Perhaps it was just me, but I don't remember thinking about the word “God” in these oaths and lyrics. There was certainly never anything taught us in public schools about any concept or reality of “God” and, as near as I can tell, our teachers' respect of varied beliefs has never changed. So, where does this current attack on the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools come from, and what purpose does it serve?

Violating Our Inalienable Rights

Thomas Jefferson on the first amendment and religion:

"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others." -Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798

In the question of The Pledge of Allegiance, displaying The Ten Commandments, or any other recent issue of our freedoms, it may not be Congress usurping these rights, but our judiciary certainly is. Our Constitution very clearly prohibits any federal legislation or interference by any form of government in matters of religion at all. Yet, our representatives sit idly by while the Judicial branch, sworn to uphold our laws, twists the letter of the law to their fancy. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that this is a malicious attack on our religious freedoms. This is a matter of human beings (judges) acting individually on what they feel to be correct. Our laws were not meant to be open to interpretative analysis; they were meant to be clear cut, unbiased protection of our rights. This trend is comparable to the liberal slant in the media. Unfortunately, the personal beliefs of individual journalists often influence their approach to reporting. We now have judges who allow personal beliefs, those of others in their social circles, and in some instances, even the opinion of foreign powers, to prevent them from following Constitutional law. The subject of religion is explicitly declared off-limits to federal judges, yet they continue to make rulings affecting individuals and states on matters of religion and our freedoms. The implications in this should have us all up at arms, yet we do nothing.

Our founders never considered that judges might someday misinterpret the separation of church and state. They certainly never considered the possibility that our Constitution might be used to justify the separation of religion from our civic and public lives. It was just this sort of oppression that they were resisting and wished to prevent from recurring. Our forefathers' primary mission was the protection of people of all faiths. They sought to lay down a blueprint for a government under which a moral and just society could flourish. Gradually, the foundations of this society are being chipped away at, bit by bit. As a result, we are a nation awash in crime, our families and communities are disintegrating, and the values that our founders sought to perpetuate have gone by the wayside.

Is it American's growing hate of politics or simply boredom that has created this apathy toward these abuses by our judiciary? Is it the lack of media attention to such attacks on our rights? Perhaps Americans agree with these rulings or are not moved to question the legal grounds for such actions. Whatever the causes, these judgements seem to rely on the fact that the Constitution has not been read closely or will be ignored. The first and tenth amendments clearly give powers over such matters exclusively to individuals and states, and they bar any form of federal intervention. These judges choose bits and pieces of the Constitution that suit them and throw out the rest. That these rulings are rendered in favor of those purporting moral convictions, should have us all questioning our values. What morally sound religious ideas could possibly conflict with these people's values? The majority of laws that we follow are central to the beliefs and teachings of most religions. How does uttering the word “God” do any harm to a child, regardless of their upbringing or beliefs?

Those who claim to be morally opposed to the word “God” being part of their children's educations have simply not matured in their morality. True morality does not have a problem with other peoples' religious beliefs. On the contrary, mature, adult morality supports and shows an unselfish interest in learning and accepting the religions of others. The pledge of allegiance does not teach our children about “God” or what to believe. It honors the convictions of our forefathers who gifted us the freedom to follow and practice the beliefs of our choice. In upholding our laws and protecting our freedoms, our judiciary must first acknowledge the role that our founders' religious beliefs played in the creation of this country. They must protect people of all faiths (and those with none) from any infringement on their most deeply held beliefs. Banning the public use of the word “God” from the school lives of our children is the most base violation of these rights. Our values suffer enough in this country without denying our founding fathers' beliefs in a divine influence on this country's beginnings.

The Declaration of Independence holds that we have the right to alter or abolish a government body that does not stick to these principles. We may fast be approaching that point.

Posted by capecodcyclist at September 16, 2005 05:27 PM

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Posted by: Rebe at September 17, 2005 10:11 AM

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