Is the Pledge of Allegiance a prayer and should it be eliminated from schools too?

Question

Red Skelton said it best so many years ago. Please click this link and listen to what he said and see if it is as important today as it was then.
http://www.poofcat.com/july.html

Answer 1

I have heard this recording many many times and I feel he was forseeing something coming in the future when he said those words: "wouldn't it be a shame if someone said that were prayer and that too was eliminated". I know I didn't get the exact wording, but it is very close. And Yes, I feel it is more important today than ever. We are seeing a rise in youth crimes, lack of respect on all age levels, lack or courtesy on all age levels and an overall lack of responsibility. People have no respect for anyone or anything anymore and it has been possible by allowing a few people to take away the words "under God" or anything to do with the word "God" in it. The terrorists themselves believe that their "God" Allah will take them to heaven for doing what they do.
When we allow people to attempt to take away our freedoms that many thousands of men and women have died for then there is something wrong with our society.
To those such as the individual who wrote he won't say it anyway, that is your right. I served 24 years to protect your right to do just that as well as those who died and those serving now and those that will continue to serve and those who will give their life to allow you to do just that, but do not ask to omit what I believe in.

Answer 2

I fear the day when the pledge of allegiance is taken from our schools. I have lived in this great country all my life i have gone to school in four states and in all my schooling i remember the pledge of alliegence at all school events and in most cases first thing in the morning before classes begun I think the pledge rings true now as it did when it was first written. over nine years ago i swore an oath to my country to defend the flag and what it stood for when i joined the army, I may no longer be in the army but i am still a damn proud red blooded american that will salute the flag and pledge alligence to it and for what it stands for whether or not the words " under god " are in the pledge or not may we all be so fortunate to have been raised in a country that we are free to debate over wether or not the pledge should be in school and that we are free to do as we choose and pledge or not pledge our allegiance to this great nation which is what the pledge is actually a reminder of this great nation founded over two hundred years ago by men and women that wanted the right to choose how they lived, i think that today it is more important then ever to remind ourselves that throughout this countries history that men and women have been free and that we are still free because there are men and women that are willing to take that pledge and believe in what it stands for and what it means if ever the flag shall fall then so shall this great nation because i agree with red skelton in saying that where this flag flies freely it means that there are people that believe in doing the right thing no matter what the cost. I Fear the day when the pledge of alligence is taken from our schools

Answer 3

While I wholeheartedly affirm the separation of church and state, I find the Pledge entirely unoffensive. I myself am an agnostic, but I don't mind saying the pledge every morning at school, and if I did mind, I just wouldn't say it! Keep in mind that patriotic pledges can be found in all parts of the world, not just the U.S.-- Pledges are important in conditioning the nation ,since youth, to be a patriotic and unified society. By no means am I suggesting that we smother of diversity, BUT there are times when we must RECOGNIZE and CELEBRATE that despite the extraordinary mix of cultures and belief systems, we all share in the benefits of living in the Land of the Free. And thus, we are all connected to the precious traditions of our nation- the Declaration, the Constitution, the Anthem, and yes, THE PLEDGE. Now more than ever, with so many conflicting politcal opinions, we must maintain our strenght through unity, if only present in a few miniscule items. Lastly, I would like to add that it's an undeniable statistical figure affirming that the MAJORITY of Americans believe in some god, and our country has a long-standing reputation for doing the greatest good for the GREATEST NUMBER. That's all, just my opinion, I hope I didn't get anyone mad.

Answer 4

First off, the people who claim "look at schools since prayer was taken out" are just uninformed, biased bigots.

The problem with violence and lack of discipline in schools are based on exactly that...LACK OF DISCIPLINE.

It does not take a school prayer to make a child behave properly. Parents have stopped raising their kids over the last 2 decades, and because of that they behave badly, often violently.

I love the Pledge of Allegiance and I do feel it should be recited daily. BUT, I think the "under god' part needs to go. I do not honor your god, so why should I have to say my Pledge to him?

The same goes for the money, I do not trust in your god, why should my money declare that I do? I wouldn't expect bible-thumpers to pledge to worship my penis, I won't pledge to worship yours.

Answer 5

The original version was:

"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty, equality and justice for all."

That was the way it was until the segregationists removed "equality" and "under God" was added during the "Red Scare" to distinguish us from the communists.

I like the original version better than the modern version, especially the "my flag" part. "My" is more intimate, more immediately meaningful and more likely to remind us that each of us has some ownership of our national ideals.

I do, however, find it funny that the only major changes to the Pledge since it was written in 1892 were done out of hatred and fear.

Answer 6

No. As far as the whole "under God" statement goes, if some people want to say it, let them. If some don't, don't make them. And that should go with prayer in school too. Obviously there are problems with having prayers said over the speakers and force those who don't believe to be involved, but there should be nothing wrong with students who want to pray in school to do so. In recent years, religious people have been given some unfair shots because of the non-religous people who want to kick them out of public eye.

They have the right to not pray if they don't want to, but there's nothing that says the have the right to never have to see it. Not being offended is not a right.

Answer 7

Just take a look at the schools since prayer was took out.Same thing. If ppl don't want to say it than shut-up and don't. But let others say it . We Christians sure have to learn and remember alot of stuff we don't believe in. But if we don't sometimes it means an F.in a course . Now which one is not fair?

Answer 8

Its not a prayer its allegiance to this great country of opportunity.

Answer 9

It is a pledge to this great country. All children should recite it daily. Listen to what Lewis Black has to say about it.

Answer 10

i have a solution for all this crap thats going on for both those "patriots" who want to say the pledge of alligence and for those who dont wanna say "god"

Step 1.
Write a new pledge of alligence that doesnt infringe on ppl's rights.

Step 2.
Party!

The same goes with the money... i dont care if it says "in god we trust"... its just money. But if some ppl feel like they wanna get rid of it then fine with me, because its JUST MONEY.