Week 25: The Pledge-Soto

'Under God' Goes
By Kelsey Soto
Rutland Middle School, Grade 8

Dear Editor,

I feel that “under God” should be removed from the pledge of allegiance. I believe that it totally goes against the Constitution. I found that this is very rude to people who don’t believe in God.
My first reason is “under God” clearly violates the U.S. Constitution. The first amendment of the Constitution clearly states the rights to freedom of religion. It says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” It is a free country and we are basically telling people from other countries that if you want to be a citizen of the United States you have to pledge to our country and to God. That may not be their religion. We shouldn’t make them say it. We might as well be a theocracy (form of government ruled by religion) if we want them to do that.
Did you know that the original Constitution did not have the words “under God” in it? Well it didn’t and I think it should be that way again. It was added in 1953 during the rise of the Soviet Union. It shouldn’t have been added because people in other countries will think that Christianity is the United States Religion, but it isn’t. We are all religions, not just one.
Therefore I believe that the words “under God” should be removed from the pledge. People can pick whatever religion they want and when they are forced to learn a pledge with the words “under God” in, it isn’t fair to them. They came to America to have freedom. Not to be told what to do. So please consider my point of views. Thank you,

Sincerely,
Kelsey Soto