“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.”
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of allegiance to the Flag of the United States and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942.
President Eisenhower signs “In God We Trust” into law. On this day in 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the pledge of allegiance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto.
What does the phrase mean ‘One nation under God’?
Thus, in the phrase “one Nation under God,” the preposition “under” indicates the relationship of the Nation (i.e. the People) to God and God’s relationship to the People.
But here’s another way to think about “under God” in part of an essay by John Kyff, Jr.
“By definition, according to The American College Dictionary, a preposition is “one of the major form- classes, or parts of speech, comprising words placed before nouns to indicate their relationship or their function in the sentence.” Thus, in the phrase “one Nation under God,” the preposition “under” indicates the relationship of the Nation (i.e. the People) to God and God’s relationship to the People. By definition, that is theology (i.e. defining God’s relations with the universe). Specifically, our government declares that the People are “under” God, not “within,” God or “above,” God, or “around” God or “One with” God. In doing so, it declares that the People are separate from God or “without” God. After all, if one is not “within” God, one must necessarily be “without” God.
“If the intent of Congress was to declare a close relationship of the People with God, it has done just the opposite. It has separated the People from God and God from the People. How ironic. But then government is a poor theologian. It really should leave theology to theologians. Is not that the meaning of the First Amendment?
I do not agree with those who assert that the phrase “under God” in the pledge of allegiance is a trivial or unimportant issue unworthy of consideration by the Supreme Court. It is a fundamental theological (religious)and therefore Constitutional issue of far reaching consequence. If indeed this is truly a trivial issue, change (or even propose to change) the pledge to read “one nation, within God” and see the furor that erupts within the so-called religious right! I guarantee it! Or how about, “one nation, over God.”
I thought this man’s way of thinking about “under God” was interesting. But to me “under God” simply means that we understand who is in control and working for America’s good future: God! But in actuality, we do see part of Congress trying to manipulate a “change” in how we used to govern “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
And, it’s clear that God is still OVER this nation by all we see happening since He put Donald Trump in the White House to expose this “change” with one party of government doing their best to convince all Americans that their ideologies and proposals are best for us. NOT!
My thought this morning and conversation with my Father God, was, “how did America end up with a government like we have now?” A government where one party thinks they are “over the nation,” to rule over the people, no matter how the people vote; a party with their own ideologies and self-serving agendas.
How did it come to this, where now we have a legal and duly elected president by “we the people” (who are clearly fed up with a corrupt and over-reaching government) where he is regarded as our nation’s #1 enemy (actually he’s THEIR enemy) and who needs to be removed from office so they can get back into power over us?
Why have God’s own people been so asleep, uninterested in politics, too busy with our own interests, not sacrificing to take leadership positions to preserve righteousness and justice in our land? I guess it’s because of what God says about what happens with His people when He has blessed them with so much, as He has done in America because of His covenant with our godly founding fathers?
“This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
‘I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”” Revelation 3