The Pledge of Allegiance (Do we still believe in it?)

I thought about this while reflecting on
Our nation's moral compass
And the direction to which it should be pointing:

"…one nation under God …
suggests that we believe first and foremost
in scriptures,
that are the heart and soul of our moral values,
which at all times we should display
in our ethical behavior
of conduct and deeds
(or our moral leadership -- by example.)

"…indivisible …"
points in a direction that is opposite to "wedge issues,"
"red and blue states," "gross gerrymandering in a concerted effort
to create political exclusion, and
to undermine
the will of the people.

"…with liberty and justice for all"
leaves no room for the unwarranted violation of anyone's civil rights,
leaves no room for incarnation without a just and speedy trial.

I say it every day with my sixth grade students in our classroom,
often noticing, the subconscious, almost uncaring nature with which
the recite it.

Often I remind them
of this nation's moral compass
and the direction it is pointing

but I also reflect:
Maybe if they did not learn it
and believed it
as thoroughly as I did at their ages

the moral dilemma or confusion
created by "what we pledge"
that is so different from
"what we practice"
would not come, years later, to
eat them alive!