I'm nearly positive as I watch this movie on TCM, that during the children saying the pledge at before O'Malley let's them have a free day, did they skip saying "Under God"?
I'm not sure if I misheard it, but it certainly seems as though children at a Catholic school wouldn't omit that part of the pledge...
You heard right ... this is the original version of the pledge. The "under God" phrase wasn't added until 1954.
shareThe words "under God" were not in the original text of the song. They were officially added in 1954, several years after this movie was made, although some groups, such as the Knights of Columbus ( a Catholic fraternal group) had added the words to the Pledge when said at their meetings for a couple of years before. A Presbyterian minister (whose name escapes me) had suggested to then President Eisenhower that the words should be added, and on Flag Day 1954 the phrase officially became "One nation under God." Some have suggested that the strong anti-Communist sentiment at the time contributed to the addition of the words--to differentiate us from the godless "Reds."
share[deleted]
I know this post is about the pledge of allegiance, and One nation... under God, but what about the Holy Spirit? He is referred to in this film as the Holy Ghost. That is not Catholic. How come no one is not sure they misheard that part?
shareThe predominant Catholic Bible translation for English speakers up until 1941 was the Douay Rheims Challoner translation. It contained the "Holy Ghost" translation, similar to the KJV. The New Testament was then revised for the Confraternity Bible in 1941. Maybe the new wording hadn't spread by 1945? I'd be interested to know what wording was used in missals and prayer books prior to 1941?
shareThis is why studying history is so important. What we know and understand now was not what was known and understood in other eras. Basing our opinion of people's action "way back when" through the eyes of what is going on today makes us misjudge the actions of people "back then".
>> Maybe the new wording hadn't spread by 1945?
The change from Holy Ghost to Holy Spirit was much like the addition of "Under God" in the pledge, and I guess many other social changes. Although, both were used to some extend before they became official, didn't become widespread until codified. As stated earlier, the "Under God" phrase was added, by congressional act, to oppose the "Red Threat" of Communism and their "Godlessness". The change in theological concept, in the church, to the Holy Spirit was ratified and codified during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Both the Council and Pope John XXIII were thought to be revolutionary and radical by many. The Council brought many changes in concepts of the mass and catechism, including modifying the wording and responses during the mass and in certain prayers, to reflect these changes. What started as the "Handshake of Peace", began then too. Having the greatest impact, they changed the mass from Latin to English. All these changes were thought to be an effort to modernize the church in order to bolster falling ranks of Christians and "attending" Christians, in the modern, quickly changing, post-war (WWII), western world.
Even nun's habits changed, at this time from those seen in this movie, showing nearly no skin, except face and hands (Sound familiar? Burka, anyone?), to what could be considered modern dress uniforms. I'll never forget the first time I saw a nun's hair. I thought I was going to Hell! This, of course, has continued to the point that nuns are no longer recognizable by uniform, and my old Catholic school guilt quickly arises when I make an inappropriately Brooklyn type exclamation in front of someone who I later learn is a nun.
Editorially, and off topic for this thread and this site, John XXIII and the 2nd Vatican Council, were accused of forcing the modernization of the church on the world to garner support of American Catholics for their political support, remembering we had just elected a Catholic President, at the time, and their vast economic resources, when compared to the rest of the world's poor Catholic population. This charge, of course, changed when history was rewritten after his death, by the Church (and his Wiki), that this pope was referred to, by the world, as "The Good Pope".
Disclaimer and disclosure: I was born and raised in Brooklyn (27 years), and had many, not so nice experiences with nuns and priests (none criminal, at the time) at a Catholic elementary school for 8 years, while living there. The above is based on my opinion and actual experience, having attended Catholic School during the Council. Feel free to post your opinion. But, I will not argue the validity of my opinion, as I would not deny the validity of yours. Grammar Police, don't bother, you don't exist in my world, so I can not read your self-important posts. ;-)
I now return you to the previous direction of this thread.