Of course the pledge was started as a tribute to the flag, right? NOT. It was started by Francis Bellamy in 1892 so he could sell flags to schools and the kids would have to say a pledge to the flags. Capitalism started the pledge, not loyalty.
And the really weird part about it is the Bellamy was a Christian Socialist.
Christian socialism is a form of religious socialism based on the teachings of Jesus. Many Christian socialists believe capitalism to be idolatrous and rooted in greed, which some Christians denominations consider a mortal sin. Christian socialists identify the cause of inequality to be associated with the greed that they associate with capitalism.
So here's a guy who doesn't believe in capitalism starting one of the biggest capitalist movements ever. The pledge of allegiance.
And then there was the Bellamy salute. It was a special salute designed just for our flag. Here's some pictures of kids doing the Bellamy salute.
This salute lasted from the 1890's until 1942 when somebody decided this wasn't such a good idea anymore.
For more reading on the PLEDGE including the five versions, go to the link. Lots more links from that page to keep you busy.
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9 comments:
Very interesting! My attention did not flag while I was reading the whole thing. And the pictures of the "Bellamy Salute" are chilling.
The Bellamy Salute resembles what Mussolini's followers did, in a way. I wasn't aware of such a strange history beyond the flag. Hmmm.
This was very informative. Thank you, Mike!
Interesting. There is such a cute photo of the children placing their hands over their hearts in the link you included.
someone decided the salute wasn't a good idea?
let's congratulate that guy
the butterfly project is really an art installation by the garden club
a list of the butterfly locations does exist somewhere online but I never seem to find it
so I just find them when I find them
plus I think they move around ;)
Bilbo - I'm glad your attention did not waver. This is important stuff.
Angel - This was all new to me also.
Amanada - But even in that picture their palms were facing the floor.
Dianne - The Nazis changed a few minds.
Mike, this amazed me,
I remembered when they added the "under God" when I was in school..
Wow this was fascinating Mike.
The nazi style salute was rather creepy those kids were doing.
I didn't go to kindergarden so my parents taught me the pledge at home prior to me attending school. On my first day I was the only one who didn't say Under God. I went home crying that I said it wrong etc. My mom pulled out the funk and wagnalls and it didn't say "under God" either so apparently it was published much earlier and my parents were clueless. That became a big deal in our home for a week. funny now.
Gee can't imagine why they changed that salute in the mid-40s
Andrea - I know I know, it's a total mystery.
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