Also, every day the children have to stand at attention while they play the national anthem. Is this really freedom? As much as I love America, I think that forcing people to do these things runs counter to what America is all about.
2006-09-28 14:42:30 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I know that they are not forced to say the pledge, but if they don't and remain seated, they risk ridicule from their teacher and fellow students. It's a shame that so many people are offended by someone just asking the question. I did not say that I was against saying the pledge of alligiance, did I? I am an immigrant to America and I love this country, but when we stop questioning we stop living.
2006-09-28 15:30:08 · update #1
The "love America or leave it" responses, and the thumbs down on the question, and the fact that several people MISSED THE POINT of your post, are all evidence that some Americans don't deserve the freedoms they enjoy.
When kindergartners and 1st-graders are led in school-wide ritualistic recital of a daily "loyalty oath", where they can barely pronounce words like "allegiance", "republic", or "indivisible", much less know what they mean ... exactly what are they being taught about "freedom"? How likely is it that this kindergartner will know enough to decide whether it is worth the teacher's wrath or ostracizing himself from the other kids in the class. There's no honor or respect here ... it is a mindless, meaningless ritual to them ... it teaches that "freedom" is empty words.
Those of you who deny that anyone is forced to say the pledge, pay close attention to the responses here questioning your loyalty or patriotism or right to live in this country if you were to refuse. Add that kind of judgement and peer pressure to the start of every day for a 6-year-old and tell me he or she is "free" to refuse. Pay close attention to Ernie's answer (a fine example of an American). How much freedom does a kid have when you have kids and *teachers* with attitudes like Ernie's who would make damn sure you got your commie *** kicked, or suffered other consequences for exerting your freedom to decline? That's "freedom"?
I love my country. I have great loyalty to it. I would live nowhere else. I would die for its principles. But that's not the point. Freedom is in what you DO, in how you LIVE, and how you treat others. It is NOT in the words you say.
Those of you who say that no kid is forced to do anything ... but you'll kick his *** or give him hell if he doesn't ... have MISSED THE POINT of what the pledge actually *means*.
Oh ... and the UNDER GOD part, which was *added* in 1954 ... not only did it divide the beautiful phrase "one Nation indivisible" (thus dividing a nation) ... it turned the morning recital performed in every state school in the nation ... into a *prayer*. And that, my friends, is flat-out unconstitutional. And if you can't see why, then you MISS THE VERY POINT of the words "liberty for all."
We don't have to move to Iran ... we've got people right here who want us all saying prayers and swearing loyalty oaths every morning.
2006-09-28 15:22:29 · answer #1 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm a teacher who leads her kids in the pledge of allegiance and I'll try to answer. The pledge is an easy way to start talking about what it means to live in America and be American. We talk about the flag's shape and the stars and what colors there are. Since my kids are special ed I must simplify a bit but we talk about what the colors mean. We also talk about the words of the pledge and what saying the pledge means.
If any of my students want to refuse to say the pledge I'd let them and we'd talk about it as a class so that it became a learning opportunity to understand that choosing not to say the pledge is a freedom one has as an American.
And kindergarteners understand more than you think, especially if you take the time to discuss the concepts with them.
And standing at attention while they play the national anthem is a sign of respect for one's country. Learning good manners should be part of the school day.
2006-09-28 16:13:09 · answer #2 · answered by meridocbrandybuck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The children are not forced to say the Pledge Of Allegiance to the flag.
2006-09-28 14:56:23 · answer #3 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are not forced to say the pledge, guess you never went to school with a Jehovah Witness. It doesn't hurt for kids to stand still and be quiet for one minute everyday, while the kids that were raised right show their respect for our country. What kind of lib sends their kid to school and tells him not to stand for the national anthem, America is not the only country with schools, maybe they would be better off being forced to pray five times a day, or reciting the communist manifesto.
2006-09-28 14:55:47 · answer #4 · answered by razeumright 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
saying the pledge is just showing your alligience to the country. If you don't want to say it, you don't have to, you can go live in another country where you will have to pledge alligience to their dictators or be killed. America is a country of freedom but we also have laws to protect us. Is not allowing someone to kill someone , taking there freedom away?
2006-09-28 14:47:55 · answer #5 · answered by reallyfedup 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Get over yourself! If you're so worried about them not being free than why don't you campaign for them not having to go to school at all? After all, the state and their parents force them to go to school. Then they can lie around and be little ignorant, self absorbed, useless welfare collectors like most of them have ambitions of becoming anyway.
If all they are forced to do in their lives is say the pledge of allegiance than they are going to have it pretty soft for the next 60 years.
2006-09-28 14:53:27 · answer #6 · answered by Ellen J 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I personally think, saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag teaches the children, respect and love of country!!
God forbid, but one day they may be forced to defend that very country they now give their allegiance to......if they are not taught that love and respect in the beginning, they may turn away and not face facts.....they are duty bound to defend that which they love.
Get the child when they are young, and teach them "HONOUR".
2006-09-28 14:55:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Prior to having kids I would've kicked your commie *** if you had sat through the national anthem. Now that I have kids, I can't kick your commie ***, because I can't risk the jail time or law suit. If you don't think this is a free country, move your *** to Iran and see how you like them apples.
P.S., You know this is the best answer so don't hold back the vote just 'cause it ain't what you wanted to hear.
2006-09-28 15:04:48 · answer #8 · answered by OU812 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
because a child is taught learned behavoirs just like anything else and they are taught to respect , love and represent the country that they live in work in and will soon be raising their own children in. they are also taught that america is the land of the free, we are not owned by another human being.
i must agree opportunity and laws are not always fair, but at least we do not have a totalitarian gov. that rules all. yet
2006-09-28 14:51:25 · answer #9 · answered by betsyturminyen 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
They are not.The children can ask to be excused from the class room or they can just stand there they are not forced don't know where you got your info but you need to get your Fax's straight. And if you love America why would ask such a question.If you don't love leave it.IF YOU DON'T LIVE HERE THEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.
2006-09-28 14:56:18 · answer #10 · answered by Douglas R 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋