Mark Massie, 2003 Americanism Essay Contest Winner
South Charleston High School, Valley of Charleston, West Virginia
406 Capitol Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25301-1717

The urge to be "politically correct" endangers our nation's religious heritage.

Mark Massie, 2003 Americanism Essay Contest Winner, Valley of Charleston, West Virginia, is congratulated by Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Development for the Supreme Council (left), and Ill. C. B. Hall, 33°, S.G.I.G. in West Virginia (right). Bro. John E. Justice, 32°, K.C.C.H., is in the background. Mr. Massie read his prize-winning essay to the Brethren and guests attending the Valley's George Washington Day Banquet on February 22, 2003.

On September 8, 1892, Francis Bellamy penned the words that soon became a symbol of freedom, equality, and the very essence of America itself. His "Pledge of Allegiance" would go far beyond his original goal of providing an oath for public school children to recite on Columbus Day. By 1942, the year in which the pledge was formally recognized by U.S. Congress, his vow had become an everyday ritual for virtually all American school children.

Today, Francis Bellamy's vision lives on, though his original words have not all remained the same. Just one year after being recognized by the United States Government, a line was altered to clarify the phrase "I pledge allegiance to my flag." This was done by replacing "my flag" with "the flag of the United States of America." The latest change came in June of 1954. The amendment was to add the words "under God" to the "Pledge of Allegiance." President Dwight D. Eisenhower explained this addition by stating "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

Regretfully, this "spiritual weapon" has become a double-edged sword. In recent times, the addition to the pledge enacted during the Eisenhower administration was legally challenged in the state of California. After much debate, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "one nation under God" was violating the government's guarantee of separation of church and state. However, there is no such guarantee ever made in the United States Constitution. The only promise made by the Constitution regarding religion is found in the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of a national church by Congress. The phrase "separation of church and state" is merely a wording for the beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and was never legally enacted in any part of United States law. Thus all national currency is legally stamped with the words "IN GOD WE TRUST." Also, the phrase "So help me God" is used in the inauguration of presidents and judges. Each Supreme Court session is opened with the phrase "God save the United States and this honorable court." The Declaration of Independence makes reference to God or the "Creator" four times.

The phrase "one nation under God" is a clear reference to this country's religious history. As a country where religious exiles came to escape persecution, one would expect aspects of our history to remain in slogans, songs, and traditions. However, some people who consider themselves "politically correct" are aiming to separate the United States from its religious heritage. If this movement is allowed to succeed, what other national symbols would be the next targets? The song "God Bless America" could be the next casualty in the war of political correctness. This might be followed by the abolition of "IN GOD WE TRUST" being printed on our national currency. The "Star-Spangled Banner" may be the next to fall because one line in its final stanza states "And this be our motto-'In God is our trust.'"

Unfortunately, many in today's world are prepared to eradicate this nation's religious heritage in order to satisfy the politically correct. If nothing is done to protect our nation from the destruction of our "Pledge of Allegiance," it is more than likely that many more established symbols of freedom, equality, and national unity will soon follow. The destruction of our nation's symbols will do nothing for our country during a time when patriotism is needed more than ever.