Let this pig teach you about the "under God" issue:
This 1939 video depicts Porky Pig reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in its God-free form:
Many Americans are unaware that the words "under God" were inserted into the Pledge in 1954, at the height of McCarthyism and the Cold War. In fact many Americans incorrectly believe that the Pledge was written by the Founders (it was actually written in the late 19th century, after the Civil War). The idea that we were "one nation, indivisible" was very popular in the late 19th century, when the nation was still licking its wounds from the Civil War that had torn it apart.
It is a great irony that the words "under God" were inserted between the words "one nation, indivisible," because of course adding that religious language was itself divisive. Suddenly the inclusive Pledge now slapped nonreligious Americans in the face, excluding them from the very definition of patriotism by suggesting that they were second-class citizens.
Some Americans object to the very idea of pledges and oaths, as such recitations can be seen as questionable in a mature, enlightened, civilized society. But so long as we are going to have an official Pledge, shouldn't it be an inclusive, secular one?
Secular Americans will be taking action on Flag Day (June 14), when there will be a major effort to get as many people as possible to post the above-referenced "Porky's Pledge" video. See the facebook group (and join it if you wish) here:
Post Porky's Pledge on Flag Day
In all seriousness, we realize this is a controversial issue. You may not agree with Porky on every matter of public policy, but clearly in this case Porky is on the right side of the issue: "Under God" does NOT belong in the Pledge! By posting this video on Flag Day, you can help educate Americans on the true history of the Pledge, hopefully raising awareness of why Secular Americans feel so strongly about the issue.