"The Pledge of Allegiance may be made part of the curriculum of the public schools."
"No student can be compelled to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance if he or his parents object, on religious or philosophical grounds, to his participating in such an exercise."
"The School should not subject the dissenting student to any unfavorable comment or stigmatizing treatment."
"The non-participating student will be required to refrain from any activity that disrupts or distracts those making the Pledge."
"All students can be required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance."
is this still correct?
my history teacher jumped all over me about not standing for it, and said it is VA state law that u have to (unless for religious reasons). he asked me if it was for religious reasons, and I said yes, then he quickly asked what religion I was, I answered "well, Im not really part of a religion..." he cut me off and said "then u have to."
I'm so pissed off!
2006-12-20 04:41:47 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm an adult, I shouldnt be talked down to like that... it is for reasons such as:
I'm against the war
I'm against the newly passed AETA act
and my religious veiws (just because I'm not part of a religion, dosnt mean I dont belive in a god, after life, and have belifes I live by).
2006-12-20 04:44:47 · update #1
don't post rude comments telling me I should, its my personal belifes, and I don't belive that we are as "free" as it makes us think. I will repost abuse (as I have already have ) if u do. I didnt disrespect anyone, I kept to myself and it is more disrespecting me by herassing me to do so. I'm not going to repect my teacher for the rude things he has said to me. It DOES go against my belifes, so unless you want to be reported, stop posting personal thoughts on what I did, I didnt ask if you think its wrong, I just asked if it was legal to not participate.
2006-12-20 05:29:19 · update #2
YOU CANNOT BE FORCED INTO THE PLEDGE. If your teacher insists, direct him to West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) (see link below)http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0319_0624_ZS.html
This precedent HAS NOT been overturned.
"If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein."
— Justice Robert Jackson in West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)
The fundamental First Amendment principle from Barnette is that public school students cannot be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Schools must allow students to opt out; the Court’s compelled-speech doctrine requires as much.
2006-12-20 04:50:09 · answer #1 · answered by Inquisitor-2006 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Students Cannot be Forced to Stand for Pledge
Debates over the Pledge of Allegiance have been running through law and politics for decades now. It has long been an established principle - and only because of the courts - that students cannot be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Forcing them to stand isn't much better, and courts are forcing governments to end that sort of coercion as well.
WKMG News reports on the decision of a federal judge in Florida that not only are students free to remain seating during the Pledge of Allegiance, but also that they don’t have to get parental permission to do so:
2006-12-20 04:54:26 · answer #2 · answered by Lorene 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I do not say the Pledge of Allegiance. Mind you, I am an immigrant (legal) and will pledge allegiance to this great country when it sees fit to grant me citizenship. Until then, I will show respect for the American flag at all times. That includes standing up any time the Pledge is said or the National Anthem is sung. All you were being asked to do was have some consideration for others' feelings. You failed to do that. Standing up is respectful. Saying the Pledge is not required.
As another poster said, why don't you want to say the Pledge? You are not being asked to pledge allegiance to any current politician or party. You are being asked to unite yourself with your fellow Americans around the flag and to pledge to uphold the principles and beliefs (enshrined in the Constitution) which have made the USA the great country it is.
2006-12-20 05:11:48 · answer #3 · answered by skip 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, you cannot be compelled to recite the pledge, or any part of it (for example, if you want to leave out 'under God' which was added in 1954). However, peer pressure and teacher pressure may make your opposition a very uncomfortable experience. Good luck on sticking to your principles. If you get serious pressure from the school, contact the ACLU for support.
2006-12-20 06:13:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is still correct. Your teacher was also incorrect in asking you what religion, because "religious reasons" includes having no religion. The teacher's behavior consitutes stigmatizing treatment of a dissenting student. You and your parents should attend the next meeting of the Board of Education and report this infraction. The Board of Education does not want to be on the hook for this, so it should address the issue.
2006-12-20 04:49:44 · answer #5 · answered by Tara P 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No! That would be intolerable and contrary to all the freedoms and rights this country was founded upon.
And it will never occur, because although lefties use coercion to prevent student speech (e.g. speaking about one's faith at graduation, saying one believes homosexuality is a sin, etc), the right would never use coercion to force such a thing, despite the delusion leftist depictions of us as totalitarians.
However, you need to understand that standing during the pledge is considered a common courtesy, just as standing for another nation's national anthem is a common courtesy. Courtesy is the lubricant that allows society to function.
2006-12-20 05:03:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, basic human rights, you cannot be forced to, and he had no business trying to make you. What I would suggest you do is try and talk to the teacher (after school, NOT in front of your peers, that will just embarres him). Be calm and make no accusations, just ask him to let you explain fully why you do not want to. And it is part of your religion, just because it is not an organized religion does not mean its not a religion.
personaly I do not think you have to, whether for religious purposes or not. Why should you be forced to recite some words every morning. In Italy, we do not recite it even though our school is an American one. Has that made me anyless of an citizen of the States, NO!
2006-12-20 04:47:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't be forced to say the Pledge. I went to HS in NJ and refused to stand or say it. I got hassled by a couple of teachers, but I wouldn't back down.
It shouldn't matter to that teacher what religion you are. He's just being a hard a**. Stand up (or sit down) for what you believe in!
2006-12-20 04:51:14 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle D 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Contact the ACLU and see what they say about it.
That teacher only had to accept "I refuse for religios reasons"
He does not have the authority to sit back and decide which religion is appropriate to decline the pledge.
It is not his business to ask you what your religion is. He is using his government position to find out what religion you are. That is wrong.
2006-12-20 04:46:07 · answer #9 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your teachers action was inappropriate. Report it to the administration, and make sure your parents are involved. If your just being teenage thats one thing, but if you truly believe that its not the right thing to do, then stand by it (and get ready for a rough ride in Virginia!)
2006-12-20 04:45:37 · answer #10 · answered by David B 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋