The American Humanist Association on Monday launched a national campaign encouraging Americans to “sit out” the Pledge of Allegiance until the words “under God” are removed from it.
Dubbed “Don’t Say the Pledge,” the campaign encourages people, regardless of their beliefs, to sit down during the Pledge and “make a statement for true inclusiveness.”
“We want everyone to know that the current wording of the Pledge discriminates against atheists and others who are good without a god, and we want them to stand up for fairness by sitting down until the Pledge is restored to its original, unifying form,” said association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt.
The campaign comes after a survey conducted by the organization found that 34 percent of Americans said they would like “under God” removed after being told it wasn’t part of the original text.
Written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, the Pledge originally read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The words ‘the Flag of the United States of America” were added in 1923, and Congress adopted “under God” in 1954.
For more information on the campaign go to DontSaythePledge.com.
