One Nation, under God

“One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  This line from the Pledge of Allegiance illustrates why the United States is such a great nation. Although America will never perfectly achieve its goals, these words are a reminder of what we stand for.  We live in a country that is united by its goals, by its steadfastness in providing justice and freedom for all, and by its foundation in faith.  As long as our nation holds fast to these truths, it will remain strong.

The reason behind the strength of America can be found in the phrase “united we stand, divided we fall,” made famous by the great patriot Patrick Henry during our country’s youth. America’s common goals of freedom and justice unite the nation. Especially when great crises threaten to tear apart the ties that bind our country together, the citizens rise above the calamity, united by loyalty to their country.  On the eve of the tenth anniversary to the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, we are reminded so clearly of the unity of America. In the aftermath of such a terrible calamity, thousands of people rose to support and help families of those who lost a loved one in the crash, to protect Muslim citizens from hate crimes, and to reconstruct the buildings. The country as a one body worked together to repair the damage, emotionally and physically, and overcome that disaster. The spirit of patriotism people show is what keeps our country strong and undivided.

For hundreds of years, people have been longing for freedom.  Immigrants have flocked to the United States because of the freedom and opportunities offered. We have the liberty to worship in whatever way we like, to work at whatever job we like, and to marry whom we please. The First Amendment gives citizens the right to free speech, to assemble together, and to petition the government.  America also is a country based on the need for justice. From the Supreme Court to local police stations, our system strives to ensure that the guilty are held responsible and the innocent are free. Those who live in America can live without fear because of its goal to maintain liberty and justice.

One of the most important liberties America ensures is the freedom of religion, guaranteed in the First Amendment.  The very founding of our country was based on Judeo-Christian principles. Alexis de Tocqueville, a great admirer of the American experiment, once said, “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” As significant as justice and liberty are, far more vital is a country under God. When the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, decided to ban religious leaders from the 9-11 ceremony, he overlooked that essential truth. Because religion is such a central part of the foundation to this country, banning clergy undermines our foundation.

America is a place of justice and freedom. It is a country that is founded on Judeo-Christian principles and it has used them to form a country for all who believe that all people have rights, and will work to protect them. United it stands. And that is why, every school day, thousands of children all across the country stand and recite a few simple words that represent America’s strength, unity, aspirations, and faith:  “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”