Do you think I should start a petition?

Question

I'm in the 7th grade and am an atheist. Every day we have to say the pledge of alleigance which states "one country, under God". Since America is known for freedom of religion but is making its youth pledge allegiance to a country under the Christian or Jewish "God", I think that that part of the pledge of allegiance should be taken out, so I want to start a petition, which I will later on send to the school board. My parents say that in the pledge it isn't saying which god our country is under, but what if you are an agnostic or an atheist? Please give your nice opinion.

And don't cuss me out because I do not believe in the same things you do.

Answer 1

Why not simply omit it for yourself? That's what I do. When you say the pledge, simply do not say that line. Why must your beliefs be forced upon everyone else? Wouldn't that be just as bad as someone forcing you to say it or pray to their god or anything else you don't believe in?

By the way -- "under God" was ADDED much later than when the pledge was originally written, so please do not pay any heed to the folly of those who would have you believe that it was the intent of the founding fathers to have you say it.

Answer 2

I think that you are thinking and possibly on the right track, but as they say, you can't buck city hall. You would have to change the entire nation and that would not be easy. You need them to make a move against you and then you can take them to task. When everyone stands to say the pledge - stand and say nothing. If someone - a teacher - asks you, say that you don't believe in that particular portion of the pledge and you will respect the US and what is stands for - freedom of speech among other things, and you will stand with everyone else, but it is your right not to make that pledge if you so choose. If they accept it you have at least one the first round. If they try and make you say it then you have them and you will win where ever it goes. But be prepared - it will be a long fight and you will make as many enemies as friends along the way. But then that is what created this country in the first place. Good luck.

Answer 3

No I don't think you should, we all know God was created, but it's been in our pledge of allegiance from the beginning and like our national Motto God Bless America it's just part of our history, now when they start having bible study, you will know it time to protest, for now it's a word, I know it has meaning but, to the Christians they don't realize they are like second, to the Jewish God

Answer 4

I admire you. For such a young person to think about these things is commendable. No one should impose beliefs on another. This is true. One thing you should think about is that you have a long way to go in school. Are you ready to deal with all the stigma that will come from starting a petition? If I were you I would do the best I can in school and eventually go to college where you will be old enough to say how you feel without getting pigeonhold as a trouble maker. Everyone is a trouble maker in college. Its great! If this issue really bothers you then go for it. Just be ready for all the flack afterwards. Kids will look at you like you are crazy. Stick to your beliefs. You are a smart young lady.

Answer 5

Just don't say the pledge. Many kids don't anyway for the decades it has been there since before you were even a thought and before your own parents were born.

As for a petition: Other athiests have tried and failed. We have freedom of religion in this country and some people try to take things away from other people which is wrong.
It's just as bad as the fundies trying to put prayer in public schools. I'm not bashing you. I'm just saying what is really going on.

Answer 6

Why don't you just not say the pledge? Because, you see, our country was "founded" by people of some denomination of Christianity, so the pledge was written by them. But there is no law against not saying it. I'm sure that if your parents provide a note, you can be excluded from standing up during the pledge, but you must remain silent.

Answer 7

go for it, Rebbecca! you're within your rights to protest the insertion of religion in secular school AND history is on your side. The original pledge was written 1892 but the "under God" wasn't added until 1954.

do some research. write a concise and cognizant declaration of your intent and reasoning.

try this url.
http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm

Good luck!

Answer 8

I agree with you. It doesn't belong in there because it excludes people who are atheist, agnostic, nonreligious, or polytheist. It implies that, if you don't believe in God, you somehow don't belong in this country or something like that. Really, it's as out of place as "one nation Republican" or "one nation liberal" would be. That's why it needs to come out of there. This is one nation regardless of whether you worship one god, one goddess, many gods, or no god at all.

And don't listen to all these people saying "America was founded as a Christian nation." The founding fathers were Deist, not Christian, and they SPECIFICALLY didn't make this a country founded on Christianity. That was probably the last thing they would've wanted.

Answer 9

Don't say the pledge. Jehovah witness don't say it. Unless you are in a private christian school. I've never met such a young atheist. Why don't you belive in God. Just curious no judgement.

Answer 10

Wow you're an exceptionally intelligent 7th grader.

I agree that the pledge is unconstitutional. If you look at the original one written in the 1800s, it had no "under god" phrase in it. That was added in the 1950s to distinguish us from the communists. (Apparently, you can't tell the difference otherwise.)

I say go for your petition! People need to know what you are and aren't okay with!