Two words create a gigantic controversy
In 1954 the words "under God" were added to the pledge. During the height of the Cold War it was added in an attempt to work against "godless communism". People opposed to this addition argued that it encouraged religion, specifically monotheism. Though the Christians had no objections to this phrase there were many non-Christians and Atheists who opposed this. They said that it violated to establishment clause which prohibits the establishment of religion by Congress. This addition also contradicted the words of those written in the pledge. By having "under god" kept in the pledge, it was not liberty and justice for all. Bellamy's own daughter opposed this, which was strange because Bellamy himself was deeply religious. Many people brought this issue to court, including one of the more prominent cases which involved a father arguing for his childrens' rights as an Atheist family. His main argument was the issue of his children reciting the pledge with no belief in its ideals. In the end it was left in the pledge as a national ideal, but later the option of not saying the pledge alleviated the concerns of those opposed to the addition.