In 1892 Francis Bellamy, a baptist minister who was also a liberal christian socialist wrote a pledge we almost all know today. I say (almost) because the original version, without permission and much ignored protest from the author, was changed three times.The original version goes like this."I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty,justice and equality for all.' Equality was the first to go, women and non whites did not have this. In 1924,the American Legion changed it to "the Flag" from "My Flag". In 1954 Congress added "under God", again without the authors permission or consent of his family. Today there's debate about restoring it to its original pledge, but the Conservative christian movement wants to keep it the way it is. I think they would be shocked the version they know isn't the original and the man who wrote it was a socialist. I wont even touch the Big Govt. over reaching arms taking a mans property from him. Thats a whole other Verse.
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