A New Pledge of Allegience

The controversy about the Pledge of Allegience involves the words “under God,” but the controversy should be about the words “to the flag.” Why do we make a plege to a flag, and not to each other? How can we claim to be a Christian or a moral nation when we make pledges to false icons?

The original pledge is in the last paragraph of The Declaration of Independence, and there is no controversy in recognizing the existence of a Supreme Judge or God. This divisive issue is easily solved by using the words of our founding document. These are the words we should remember and hold close to our hearts. The first quote is the original, the second is an abbreviated version that I suggest we use:

ORIGINAL: We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

SUGGESTED: We, the Representatives of the United States of America, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

“We the People” would be better served by a pledge that recognizes that our duty is to one another, and starts with the word “we” rather than “I”. “The Republic, for which it stands” represents our unity only by proxy. There is no more important role than that of citizen. Rather than feating our accomplishments, the pledge should be to uphold our responsibility.