To God or not to God

To fully understand this issue it is important to understand both opposing sides,as well as the historical events that preceded this confrontation. It might seem that this problem should be the least of worries of the American society, but, on the other hand, it tests the very foundation of the whole nation. 

From the earliest days of the New World, religion has been the most powerful, sometimes even the only, way to control the constantly rising number of settlers. Often, religion and religious teachings were the only teachings a person would get. It was thanks to religion that wast number of citizens learned about moral and ethical codes, throughout the centuries. These teachings became tradition, and we all know that in English, and American, Common law tradition is one small step away from the actual law. Therefore, more conservative Americans, might consider an attempt to change The Pledge of Allegiance an attack at the American Constitution as well. Not to mention that there are hundreds of thousands, or more, Americans who portrait the future generations similar to the teacher in the cartoon, as a mass of anarchists who do not believe in anything.

On the other hand, it is important to stress that the line "under God" was implemented into the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, during the Cold War, when not believing in God was equal to being a Communist, or a traitor, or both. In those times it was of the most importance to protect the nation from the Soviet enemy, both military and ideologically. Fortunately, those times have passed, so many would agree that there is no need for that kind of protection anymore. Moreover, many things have changed since the 50's, and conservative society from that time has evolved into a heterogeneous variety of opinions and religions. To be a slave of backward thinking has been a grand problem of the United States for a long time, there is no need to go back there again. 

In the end, this issue might be just the tip of the iceberg in the clash between two tides, liberal and conservative, where liberals are those younger generations, not attached to the tradition and willing to change everything they consider wrong. Whereas, the conservatives are the ones who consider their forefathers wiser than themselves. Ergo following the tradition is the only way possible.