God Bless America

The weirdest thing happened last week. I was driving Madison home from school, and she starts singing the words to God Bless America. Now, this is weird, because I did not teach her this song. The only way I can figure that she learned it was through preschool. I didn't think public schools could teach anything with the word God in it. I personally don't have an issue with it, but I wonder what my friend Kat would think (she is an atheist).

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Arthur Trueger October 22, 2007Reply

    Do you know if they still say the pledge of allegiance in school? We used to say it when i was in elementary school.

  2. Carla Stream October 22, 2007Reply

    You can say the Pledge of Allegiance in school. My children do. You can say God in school, you can bring a bible, pray and have a Bible Study. Also, the Bible can be used as a text to teach history. You can even say Merry Christmas!! GASP! None of the above is "illegal." Our rights to express our faith do not end when we walk into a public school.

  3. kat October 22, 2007Reply

    Carla is correct on all the things you can do in public school, even though it shouldn't be that way.

    Religion has no place in PUBLIC school systems at all, and that's why there have been many lawsuits over the last few years about the pledge and other things.

    See, there are laws in regards to things that can be done with federal money.

    Because schools are run by states and receive both state and federal money, making them basically owned by the tax payers, not churches, there are certain things that our kids cannot be forced to do in public schools.

    One of those is say the word god, even if it's in the pledge.

    As far as God Bless America, it's a song not mandated to be sung every day, where as the pledge is mandated to be spoken every day.

    I would suggest that every one who believes that the pledge has always said under god, needs to read this, and learn a bit more about the history of what we ask our kids to say every day.

    As for the mandate, yes our kids are required to say the pledge every day in elementary and middle schools all over this country, but they do not have to say the word god.

    Why?

    Our government cannot make any law that is unconstitutional, and in order to make a law, it has to meet certain requirements.

    Those requirements are,

    * Have a secular purpose, and

    * Be neutral towards religion – neither hindering nor advancing it, and

    * Not result in excessive entanglements between the government and religion.

    Now what this means for any school that receives federal monies is this, no school can stop a child from praying, but it also cannot force any child to pray or say the name god if it violates that child's first amendment rights to freedom of religion.

    If you are not aware of the exact wording of the first amendment, this is what it says,

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

    So basically, no public school can make it "law", that every child say the word god, nor can they deny any child from saying it.

    So while Carla is indeed correct that saying the pledge and and praying in school are not illegal, you also cannot force any child to participate.

  4. Charla October 22, 2007Reply

    Something that's interesting to note is that either in the preambles to the state constitutions or in the actual constitutions themselves, God is mentioned. In fact, God is mentioned in all 50 states' preambles or constitutions. That's something that's part of the heritage of our country. But that does not mean that God is forced on anyone, and He never should be. Believing in God is something a person chooses to do. That is part of what faith is about. I believe in God, but each person chooses for him/herself.

    The song, "God Bless America," was written in 1918 and is a patriotic song that's been part of our heritage for 89 years. If someone doesn't want to sing it, they have that right. But historically speaking, those who want to sing a song that was declared our country's unofficial national anthem should have the right to do so. There should be respect on both sides.

    As far as the pledge, the vast majority of people want to say the pledge and I believe they should be allowed to do so. Congress amended the pledge in 1954 to include God. No one should be forced to say the pledge, but if the vast majority want to say it as we've done for the past 50+ years, I believe they have the right to do so. Again, there should be respect on both sides of the issue.

  5. kat October 22, 2007Reply

    I agree with you on the respect both sides issue, but do you know why god was added to the pledge in 1954?

    It was added so that it would be easier to weed out the godless communists during social events like baseball games.

    We were in the midst of a cold war, and needed to figure out who was American and who was a communist.

  6. Martin October 22, 2007Reply

    Hopefully there is no 'weeding out' going on in your kids' preschool. We transplanted our son into what is probably the most religious public school system in any Christian country. He is not being indoctrinated or pressured to my knowledge. I was immersed in religion as a child and developed into a free thinking adult.

    The thing about God Bless America is that it is very catchy. I sang it as a child and I am Canadian.

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