Are students required to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance?

Question

I just sit there quietly, minding my own business, but today the teacher told me to stand up. I'm quite averse to doing so. All the student handbook says is that students should remain quiet, it doesn't say whether or not they have to stand up.

Should I avoid trouble and comply, or assert my individuality and remain seated?

Answer 1

You have the right to remain seated. The Pledge is a little silly - you're supposed to pledge allegiance to a flag?! It's a symbol! It seems to me like a form of idolatry.

Comply. Comply. Comply. You are expected to do what everyone else wants you to do and tell you to do. . . Oh, wait! No! This is a free country! Isn't that where your allegiance should be pledged anyway?

Answer 2

You need to stand up. It is respect for the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes, you remain silent, but while standing. This is a good lesson learned. When saying this, you stand up. You should be minding the business of the moments spent saying the Pledge. Then when over you can continue to mind your own business. Yes, please comply. The teacher will really treat you as a rebel, and you will be a rebel if you go against what is right. When your in a classroom, you need to comply. When outside the classroom, then you can go on about your business. Be a good Boy and go with the flow.

Answer 3

Everyone needs to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. Just a quick note for you, on a military base, when the Start Spangled Banner is played around 6 p.m. all cars come to a stop until it is finished. To avoid trouble and because it is the correct thing to do go ahead and stand, it is only for a few minutes anyway. OK?

Answer 4

Well, normally I would agree with you on this one, but I'm going to have to side with the teacher because of certain circumstances.

Today is September 11, the five year anniversary of when a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Many firefighters died while trying to save other people.

On any other day, you can sit down and assert individuality. But, today being today, stand up to show your respect to everyone. Just for today. Tomorrow you can go back to sitting.

Answer 5

When I was in school, back in the 40's and 50's, we were required to stand, place our hands over our hearts and recite the Pledge every day. It's news to me that you are allowed to sit during the Pledge, let alone not recite it. Stand up, and show respect for the people around you, if not for the Pledge itself. It's a small thing to do and it won't compromise your principles worth a darn.

Answer 6

If you are living in America and enjoying the priveleges that this country offers it's citizens you most certainly should but away any of your "uneasiness" and stand, preferably with your right hand over your heart, and no hat on, while the Pledge of Allegence is being said. Respect what your country stands for

Answer 7

you need to stand up for respect. you stand in respect of america so yes you have stand up while saying the Pledge Of Allegiance and you should put a hand over the heard and say the Pledge

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the republic for which it stands
Once Nation Under God Indevisible
For Liberty and Justice for all

Answer 8

We used to have to stand as a show of respect. I could understand a refusal to stand on the grounds that we as a people are not acting in a respectable manner, but if it just lazyness in the end it would be easier to just stand

Answer 9

Today is september 11th remember?
5 year anniversary, assert your individuality when you want, but today it is disrespctful ( I realized that nobody said the pledge today in my class, oops!)

Answer 10

When I was in school they MADE us pledge allegiance every single morning.