As high school students and teachers, we are expected to stand up during school hours and pledge allegiance to our country. This is done to remind the American people of the sacrifices that our army and government has made for us, and the freedoms that we are privileged to have. So, when I am told that I have to pledge my allegiance not only to America, but to God, it is a bit unsettling. As stated in our First Amendment:

"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."

This amendment clearly states that there should be freedom of religion, therefore a separation of church and state, as also repeated by Thomas Jefferson. There are people who do not believe in just one God, and there are some who do not believe in a god at all. At our school, it is socially unacceptable, as well as reprimanded, to not say the pledge of allegiance; even if it is against your religion, or lack therefore of. The education system should not be associated with religion, unless it a registered religious private school. And so we, the members of Connecticut and the United States, ask that you officially remove the word God from the Pledge of Allegiance. In fact, this was not added until 1945 on Flag Day, publicly violating the constitution. This addition was simply added to mimick Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, and was misinterpreted through the years. Instead, it could be read as follows:

"I pledge Allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the Republic for which it stands, indivisible,

with Liberty and Justice for all."

This is an issue that affects many students and teachers personally, as different religions follow different Gods, and the pledge discriminates against them. Our country needs your help to unify ourselves, and become one free country. That's why we are calling on you, the leaders of the free world, to join us in the fight for unity, not partition.

Sincerely,

The students and eachers of the United States of America