the fellow who wrote the pledge of allegiance was a former minister named francis bellamy, a socialist who wanted to create a habit of automatic reverence and loyalty to the country. the pledge first appeared in a children's magazine called 'the youth's companion'.

saying the pledge became a practice in public schools because the magazine sponsored the national education association.

'under god' was added 60 years later under pressure from the knights of columbus.

the american pledge of allegiance was adopted in 1942, 166 years after the country was founded. the phrase 'under god' was added 12 years later by president eisenhower, under pressure from the knights of columbus.

in the 1940's, jehovah's witnesses were lynched and persecuted for refusing to say the pledge of allegiance. it is against their religion to salute an earthly emblem or to ascribe salvation to it.