One Nation Over God
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 is repeated daily in many U.S. institutions and alludes to the existence of a God, along with our country’s motto: “In God We Trust.” In a secular nation, how has such a contentious entity become ingrained in the framework of our government?
The easy answer is that Judeo-Christian ideals are embedded into the U.S. Constitution and, as such, remain a pertinent point of reference in legal precedent and policy. This becomes a huge problem when the idea of a monotheistic — specifically Abrahamic — God is normalized through constant media exposure, symbolism, canonical text, and ritual.
“In God We Trust” is engraved in stone in the House Chamber — where the entire nation often tunes in to hear the State of the Union and other such formal addresses. Take out any U.S. paper money and find the same words inscribed. The word “God” is pervasive, and understanding its implications is crucial to realizing the influence of Christianity on our “secular” government, society, and public and private lives.
