The most hardcore "SUPPORT TH'TROOPS" kind of people and pledge-sayers are probably the least informed about American history, and also the least likely to be aware of/admit colossal American ethical failures, like the US manipulation of South America. We're at the technological stage of humanity where we need to focus on an all-encompassing humanism. Our problems are also now of a more global scale, one which requires international cooperation. I'm not advocating a dissolution of national character at all (Bills of Rights, Constitutions, "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" are useful guarantors of rights), but rather a more global outlook.
You know, that kinda made my day (or two days, for that matter). That is exactly the kind of view I hope the majority of humanity adopts to make the world a better place. I'm not that fond of Nationalism, but I do say that I'm a patriot and, perhaps, will always be.
Now then:
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.
From what I understand, the emphasized words up there were added later on. But I fail to see what the big deal is.
God could be anything to a person. A supernatural being. Parents. Personal spirit of creation. Destiny. Animals. The Universe. Nature. Ancestors. Humanity. People worship different things for different reasons, all based on preference or beliefs.
But even if you were to ignore that, what about the terms that
defines the pledge? One nation. Indivisible. Liberty. Justice for all. It is as if the masses deliberately ignore these crucial terms just to get on warring with their brothers, in turn tearing the country apart. Where
One Nation with all you fighting left and right? Where is
indivisibility with people criticizing those of different views? Where is
liberty when you throw away someone else's right to freedom? And
justice? That's a long story you already know.
If people argue over petty things like these they're
hardly true Americans. Because what your pledge speaks to me,
true American would stand for his nation and still embrace justice for every human in the planet. A true American is an epitome of benevolence, of hope and destiny. A true American would never let his country fall in sin, injustice and corruption. To me, at least, a true American is what binds all humanity together as his/her brothers and sisters.
So yeah. The whole
under God quarrel sounds pathetic to me. If anyone is so frustrated about the inclusion/exclusion of the term first
be a true American, or at least a better human being, and
then talk!
This is so opposite to where I live. We are slowly eliminating every religious symbols from everything that is public, even though the majority is christian. Churches are empty, and sometimes they are turned into houses.
XD I'm curious to know: where are you from?
