Markley's Blog

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America” I remember reciting that every morning before school
started. To me it was a normal part of the day and was never offensive. Of
course at that early age I really didn’t understand the meaning of what I and
the rest of my classmates were saying.

Now being an adult I’m still not offended and never
will be. The word “allegiance” according to Encarta means loyalty to ruler or state or
devoted support. Well my support may not always be devoted (only because I
will not always agree with our government) but I do feel strongly about those
words.  They mean we support the flag and
the republic for which it stands one nation and that the nation is under the
authority of God. What does offended me are those that say they offended by the
words “Under God”.

We have big corporations display those words on
their respective products but remove the words “Under God”. They wish not to
offend any who may buy their product. Now I would have a little more (and I
emphasize little because they are an
American company) understanding when they export their product the wish not to
offend, but when sold here those words should be there in their proper place
and context.

We have national broadcasting channel
recite those words over the airwaves, yet the words “Under God” are not heard.
Those are some very important words. Not only “Under God” but the word God
itself. It’s important enough that it’s the last word the President says when
he finishes the “Oath of Office.

Every President has ended his oath with
“So help me God”. Now I know that when the oath of office was written, our founding
fathers mention of God was there for more than just purpose or platitude. I’m
sure that when our earliest Presidents recited that same oath they did not
expect our moral values to change, though they have. Though it has been argued
that you can’t legislate morality, morality is a fiber that is sown into the
fabric of America. It’s who we are.  It’s
what we are known for and it was the foundation of what this country was and is
built on. You can’t weaken any foundation without it affecting the whole
structure. Our country was placed on a moral foundation that our forefathers
felt was needed to make us strong. The guidance they had came from personal
convictions and sought out wisdom, through prayer and council.

Did they get everything right? No. Our
country is still reeling from past mistakes but we are learning and we are
growing to become even a stronger country. That doesn’t mean that when we
change, our morals change with it. If the guidance our founding fathers used
was the word of God, that same God that they swear the oath to, and the same
God that is in the Bible they place their left hand on, then that should be
what we use to guide us in decisions today. God gives man the right to choose,
but that does not mean that the choice we make is not without consequence or
that the choice we make, makes it right. I hold any President responsible to
make decisions based on the foundation this country was founded on. If we mess
with our foundation the consequence of that will eventually weaken our
strength. Stop worrying about offending. They don’t like it they can leave. Now
I don’t wish to sound callous or selective but why should we as a country, a
“self govern” country give up our freedom to give proper Glory to and respect
for “God”. That was the reason we left and started this country.

We were not worried then about
offending. We took a stand and fought, built, and structured our country to be
one of freedom and take care of ourselves without the fear of tyranny. We
placed God as a very important part of that construction. Now after 235 years
we start to wonder if it’s right or wrong to have the Pledge of Allegiance
recited in schools. Oh we can do that if we remove the words “Under God”.

You don’t even hear the National Anthem
on most nationally broadcasted sporting events. I said most and I’m not
including local or cable broadcasts. We as a nation need to remember why this
country was founded. We have men and woman, husbands and wives, moms and dads,
brothers and sisters, fighting everyday to keep us free. To keep even those who
may not want the words “Under God” or the word “God” on anything, free to speak
out their disapproval or resentment of the word. That is the joy of freedom.
You may not always agree and like what happens, but at least you’re free to
express it. We shouldn’t change for a small minority of people who don’t like
something but hold on to what the majority of people believe is most important
and true. That our nation is and should remain known as “One nation under God,
indivisible with liberty and justice for all”.