The Pledge of Allegiance is an oath that young American children are forced to say every day in school. It is criticized for being xenophobic, and it does violate the Free Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. The words, ever since 1954 are: The version in plain English is: The reason why the pledge is controversial, is because it removes a man of many nations, and also says there is one god, and one god only. Polytheists, animists, atheists, etc. are offended. Even Jehovah's Witnesses see this as flag worship and they don't believe in voting!