Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of the Pledge of Allegiance. Specifically, it discusses whether the words "under God" should continue to be a part of the Pledge of Allegiance. It explains how the Pledge of Allegiance has become a symbol of controversy rather than freedom.
From the Paper "A Socialist Christian Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy wrote the original Pledge of Allegiance in 1892. Francis was related to Edward Bellamy, a notable Socialist author of the time, and Francis often based his sermons and writings on Edward Bellamy's works, and the Pledge is no exception. The Bellamy's believed that the country could create a socialized economy that would create equality politically, socially, and economically (Baer). This first pledge read: "'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' [* 'to' added in October, 1892] (Baer). Bellamy wanted the Pledge to underscore his Socialist beliefs, and so he created a Pledge that spoke of two of the most important foundations of the country, "liberty" and "justice." "
Abstract This paper examines the origins of the pledge of allegience and how the Supreme Court is considering barring it from public schools since it is considered a public act of religious beliefs. It discusses the laws that forbid teachers forcing any kind of prayer or religious ritual upon the students and argues whether the pledge of allegiance can considered religious or not. It looks at the debate over how much the state can control the education system of a county or district through review of literature and court cases.
From the Paper "The school has setup many rules against public prayer for teachers and students to follow. For instance, school sponsored Bible reading in public schools is an illegal activity. However, the Bible may be used as an instructional document activity to meet a secular purpose (Essex). I believe the schools should setup a more defined way of teaching the pledge of allegiance. Just like the Bible, the pledge of allegiance is very important to learn. School Districts across the nation should compose a short test to meet the curriculum. The test could be a simple task that would just be about the general knowledge of the pledge of allegiance. "
Abstract This paper looks at the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, discusses its significance in American society and rebuts arguments that oppose the inclusion of the word "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
From the Paper "The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the greatest symbols of our most wonderful and blessed nation. Just the mention of it stirs to mind images of young children developing an understanding of devotion as they together face the classroom flag and chant in unison, of diverse people of all colors and walks of life finding a common goal as they recite the pledge, and of wartime veterans and the families of fallen heroes together saluting the America worth dying for. The Pledge of Allegiance is an important unifying and morale boosting element of our nation's history. However, recently it has come under attack by those who do not understand the importance of the Pledge as it is written today and the importance of it remaining intact for future generations of Americans. Some people believe that the inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is somehow unconstitutional or not politically correct. However, the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is essential to the American spirit of the Pledge and an important part of the Pledge tradition. There are many convincing reasons why "under God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Abstract 'The Pledge of Allegiance' was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and it has became obligatory in many U.S. states to cite this text every morning in educational facilities. This paper examines some of the religious controversies surrounding the 'Pledge of Allegiance', including the use of God's name and the issue of religious freedom.
From the Paper "In 1937 the Jehovah's Witnesses filed a complaint because they felt that their rights were being violated, specifically the First Amendment. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts rejected the complaint based upon the fact that the court felt the state had the right to teach patriotism and that the pledge did not restrain anyone from worshiping God as determined by the First Amendment."
Abstract This paper identifies trends in influencing school children to develop "patriotism" for the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance is the principle focus, yet there is supplemental information concerning the promotion of patriotism and patriotic acts provided to support the topic. This paper examines the origins of this controversy. It focuses on the correlation between the pledge of allegiance in the Texas public school system and how the transition from the mandatory statement of the Pledge of Allegiance has translated into the expression of religious values, e.g., prayer, in the Texas schools as well.
Outline
Introduction
The Controversy of the Pledge of Allegiance The "No Child Left Behind" Act
Texas, Patriotism and Religion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The pledge of allegiance is arguably the most overt and the most frequent manifestation of this type of induction into patriotism. Less than ten years ago, the pledge of allegiance was deemed an optional aspect of schooling, where students could decide whether they wished to participate in the pledge or not. However, following the tragedies of September 11th, the United States has seen a blanket renewal of patriotism. Such patriotism has reached the school system in the form of renewed controversy over the pledge of allegiance. One source reports in December of 2001 that: ?Old-fashioned flag-waving is gaining support from parents, educators, veterans' groups and Congress.? (Price: 2001) Prompted by the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, the public school system has apparently latched on to the traditional method of inducting students into patriotism by again making the morning pledge of allegiance to the flag a mandatory aspect of academics."
Abstract This paper explains that the original Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1882 by a Christian Socialist Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy, stated, ?I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.? The author points out that the phrase, "under God", which was added in 1954, has raised questions of its constitutionality because it may violate the concept of separation of church and state. The paper relates that the argument for the pledge revolves around the points that God is not bad for the American people or that supporters do fully concur with the idea of the separation of church and state. Color picture and annotated bibliography included.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Origins
Under God
Constitutionality
Those in Favor
Those Against
Conclusion
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "The original pledge has changed over the years. For example, in 1923 and 1924, against Bellamy's wishes, the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution changed the words 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' In 1954, the United States Congress added the words 'under God' to the Pledge because of a controversial campaign by the Knights of Columbus better known as the KKK. ?In June of 1954, at the height of the McCarthy hysteria, and at the urging of the Knights of Columbus, an amendment was made to add the words "under God." Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower said of the pledge, "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and every rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty."?
Abstract The paper examines "The Secret Agent", a political thriller that depicts the dangers and futility of blindly pursuing allegiance to any singular goal, whether personal or political. The paper portrays the contrast between two characters, Winnie Verloc and the Professor, who both represent the extremes of human attitudes towards the importance of personal life.
From the Paper "Winnie Verloc originally has no interest in improving her life through political channels. She is solely focused on improving the life of her old mother and brother. Winnie's disdain for intellectualism is seen in her affection for her brother Stevie. She seems to mainly be interested in her older husband's ability to provide for her brother, and does not comprehend the full nature of Verloc's complicated past. ""He'll have to get tired of me first,'" she says, before her husband will get rid of Stevie (Chapter 2) Stevie, along with her mother, is all she cares about, to the point that she will sacrifice her personal happiness in a loveless marriage (Chapter 2)."
Tags: Winnie, Verloc, Professor, allegiance, goals, fixations, personal, life
Abstract This paper will set out the background to the letter, before looking at why Paul wrote it and what he had to say to the Galatians and to the faithful in general. It will argue that Paul was attempting to counter the message of a group of Judaizers within the Church who argued that the Gentile converts had to abide by Jewish law. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul argues that righteousness is justified by faith in Christ, and not by relying on law. The crux of this paper's argument is that Paul's letter to the Galatians was about replacing allegiance to a code of law with allegiance to a person, this being Jesus Christ.
Abstract This essay details Australian colonization (beginning with the First Fleet in 1788) and settlement by the British through to the early 1900s. It examines the changing relationship between the two countries after WWII. Post WWII, the USA took over from Britain as the biggest investor in Australia and thereafter, Australia's political allegiance changed to the US. The relationship between Britain and Australia is still extraordinarily strong, but it is not the same relationship that existed for so long during Australia's early years under European settlement. The essay looks at the present-day economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries.
From the Paper "What have been the most important historical features of the relationship between Australia and Britain? How important is the Australia-Britain relationship for Australia today? How important is the Australia-Britain relationship for Britain today? Colonization of Australia by Britain began in 1788, officially to set up a penal colony but also to establish a trading base in the Pacific. It started with the arrival of the First Fleet of about 250 marines and 730 convicts at Port Jackson, and the establishment of Sydney Town and the colony of New South Wales."
Abstract This paper looks at the chivalric code that was required of a knight during medieval times. The author discusses who became knights, who they held allegiance to, how they behaved at tournaments, and their strong sense of loyalty. The paper also discusses how such knights were supposed to display great heroism, strength, bravery, and politeness towards women.
From the Paper "The knights in the aristocratic courts represented the chivalric virtues and vowed their allegiance and service as to be their primary and foremost responsibility. The knight was one of the three types of fighting men that used to fight in the battleground during the time of the middle ages. Becoming a knight was a part of a feudal agreement. These knights had a firm and strict belief in the code of chivalry. These knights took a pledge that they would always defend the weak and the powerless that are defenseless against any sort of tyranny and oppression. The other codes of conduct they pledged to obey were that they would always be extremely courteous to all women and all ladies."
Abstract This paper contends that "Macbeth" is a classic because its protagonist was not, in terms of universal humanity, a royal king nor a common pauper, but instead merely a man who, like all of humanity, must choose between the paths of right and wrong and pay the consequences of that choice.
From the Paper ?In all the many works that this master of the English language produced throughout his lifetime, few of the central themes and events were concocted from the writer's mind or imagination. Instead, Shakespeare, like many of his contemporaries, looked to the annals of history for ideas on which to base his many works of tragedy and comedy. Macbeth, a short theatrical tragedy that many label as Shakespeare's best, was no exception to this rule.?
Tags: actuality, playing, time, primary, driving, force, author's, construction, of, the, story, seventeenth, century, English, playwright, world, stage
Abstract The paper discusses that when assessing the elements that surrounded the American Revolution, one cannot help but pay particular attention to the changes in consciousness that were responsible for driving this movement forward, ultimately consolidating gains for posterity. It shows that one can readily surmise that if the motherland had not imposed what was looked upon as controlling measures in order to maintain allegiance, the American Revolution would have never existed. The paper shows that Britain believed that its colonies were slipping away from under them -- as the colonists began to realize how pleasant it was to run their own lives -- and were quite eager to shed the suffocating cloak of political oppression.
From the Paper "The American Revolution, which harbored the same social and political underpinnings as virtually all other historic wars, began as a crusade for freedom and independence from tyrannical rule. Remaining loyal to homeland presented no problem to British North American colonists at the start, however, a change of heart occurred after British rule began enforcing unnecessary and unreasonable demands upon the colonists. What initially began as a bid to both reclaim and preserve the rights of freeborn Englishmen soon turned into a all-out revolutionary movement culminating in the origin of a republic."
Tags: British, Isles, Boston, Tea, Party, Lexington, Concord, Jefferson
An examination of the controversy which has swept across America since the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional.
Abstract This paper examines the trend in America to totally separate religion from the state in as many ways as possible. The writer presents arguments for and against the recent court ruling calling the phrase "under God" as unconstitutional. Critics argue that the reference to God infringes on their personal freedoms, while supporters argue that the reference is part of the greater American character, and that the Court's decision simply reflects the views of a small, vocal minority of Americans.
From the Paper "Supporters of the 9th Court's ruling argue that the phrase amounts to a government endorsement of a specific religion, and is in direct opposition to the constitution that guarantees religious freedom. Critics of the 9th Court's decision, argue that the religious content of the phrase "under God" is minimal, and that the Court's decision paves the way for the removal of all religious references from the Constitution, the Star Spangled Banner and other quintessentially American areas. Critics argue that the Court's decision is the worst kind of political correctness, and simply reflects the will of a small minority, imposed on the rights of the large majority of Americans who want the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance."
Tags: religion, court, state, united, minority, character, freedom, expression, infringement
Reviews the 1948 film version of HAMLET directed by & starring Sir Laurence Olivier. Focuses on Olivier's allegiance to the text in creating his version.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 1 source, 1998, $ 23.95
From the Paper "One of the best film versions of William Shakespeare's Hamlet is that directed by and starring Laurence Olivier and made in 1948. The Olivier film is dark, brooding, and truly theatrical, with sets that are suggestive rather than realistic, expressionistic rather than precise. The darkness of the image is matched by a darkness of spirit and a sense of foreboding that hangs over the film from the first frame. Such a dark and expressionistic setting fits quite well with the internal brooding of Hamlet. The character of Hamlet is considered difficult because he is seen as passive rather than active for most of the play. Early in the play he is given the task of avenging his father by his father's ghost, and yet for most of the play he seems to do nothing about it. He is highly reflective but inactive until the very end of the play when he does.."
Abstract This paper examines how the Tax Reform Act of 1986 divided Americans according to class lines and how their particular allegiance varied according to where they lived, in what business they were employed (or not employed), and what they believed to be the purpose of government. It analyzes the theory of ?Supply Side Economics,? in which cuts in capital gains taxes for the wealthy would provide a stimulus for the entire economy, and how benefits accrued from the excess capital would "trickle down" to the masses. It concludes with how together with other tax cuts, the rich would grow richer, while the poor and the not-so-rich would alike grow poorer.
From the Paper "But wealthy industrialist, arms manufacturers, and oil tycoons do not make up the majority of voters. The growing population of the warm areas of the South and West, coupled with the rapid rise of the Christian Right gave Reagan Republicans a huge and powerful new foundation of public support. Suddenly, politics was no longer a Northeastern preserve. With the reapportionment of congressional seats, and Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in the 1980 Presidential election, the liberal views of the Eastern elite gave way to Christian fundamentalism and all its attendant precepts. The evangelically-inclined populations of the South and West gave the new Republicans the edge they needed."
