Pledge of Allegiance?

Question

I teach in a public school in the South. Each morning, school is started with the Pledge of Allegiance. I tell students they have a Constitutional right to stand or not to stand, to say it or not to say it. Personally, I do not believe it has a place in a public school, but I do not speak out publicly about it. Many teachers in my building view me as unpatriotic (or even a Communist) for not 'forcing' students to stand and participate. Basically, they see me as more evil because I tell students they have a civil liberty which allows them to decide, for themselves, whether or not to participate. What do you think?

Answer 1

I agree with the way you've handled the Pledge of Allegiance in your school. I myself am I student, and thus far in high school my teachers have allowed the students to choose whether or not to say the pledge of allegiance. No one should be forced into saying anything, if they don't wish to say it, or want to leave a part of it out, that's their choice.

Answer 2

The Supreme Court has ruled time and time again that students do not check their constitutional rights at the school house door, this applies to both religion and patriotism, both of which have a place in school if the students feel that way. Teachers however cannot force their opinions on students and should remain neutral as to what they tell the students.

I think that the pledge of allegiance (which is to the country not the flag "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all" ) should be said ever morning by school children, teachers, firefighters, police officers and all government employees, heck I even think the rest of us should say it.

Oddly enough however I Will defend to my death your right to feel otherwise, that is what America is all about, you are not a communist (as the weather you are unpatriotic only you can answer that) Telling students they can or cant stand and say the pledge is fine, but there needs to be some understanding as to why not and why so.

It is the same with flag burning there is no greater symbol of protest for an American then to burn the flag but make sure you know why you are burning it and what you mean by it. (On the other hand no one in any other nation has a right to burn OUR flag with out reaction from us)

Answer 3

If there is something worth of pledging allegiance too is a own determination all of us ought to make. As for the U. S. Pledge of Allegiance, had I been alive previously 1956 i believe i'd have reported it. yet in 1956 they made it unconstitutional through endorsing faith interior the pledge, a sparkling violation of the first change. human beings would have all the religion they opt for and decide, regardless of the indisputable fact that the authorities received't propose it. Are Jehovah's Witnesses correct? they have an noticeably exciting interpretation of the bible. What you would possibly want to ask your self is, the position did the bible come from, and is it something you've faith in. in case you do be counted on it, study it on your own, do your own analyze, through all ability contain the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society cloth, yet not completely. at the same time as they have you ever searching nowhere else for your analyze, they have you ever brainwashed, undeniable and easy. mutually, do not low-cost what present day technology has to say, there are various solutions there also. Make up your own concepts.

Answer 4

You are in the United State of America. The Pledge of Allegiance to our flag is very patriotic and many people have died for your freedom to speak anyway you wish even if you do sound like a Communist, Islamic, Radical, Terrorist. Have some respect for the Veterans, the Air Force, the Army, the Government and the People of the Constitution. You know, the people who pay your salary for that Public School that you work in. The people who are dying now to secure your freedom in foreign countries. Basically, we see you as a TRAITOR. You and the ACLU need to get your heart right. Your civil liberty carries a lot of blood. How did you get into education without knowing history? I'm from Texas and I am ashamed that you even mentioned the South.

Answer 5

Sorry, but I disagree with you. You didn't say how old your students are, but unless they are seniors in high school (and therefore 18 years old or close to it), I don't think it's appropriate for them to have a choice to not say the pledge. The flag is a symbol of American freedom. You are not technically pledging your allegiance to a flag when you say the pledge; you are pledging your allegiance to the United States of America. If you can't do that, then why are you (or your students) living in this country? Receiving the benefits available to every American citizen is a privilege! If you aren't loyal to the country and what it stands for, then live somewhere else. If some students choose not to stand or recite the pledge, it would be a good opportunity for a discussion in class. Ask the students why they choose not to stand/recite and maybe ask them to rewrite the pledge to reflect what they believe. If the students are very young, like elementary school-age, then they should not be given the choice whether or not to stand and recite. It sounds as if you are trying to start a mini-rebellion and that has no place in ANY school, let alone public schools. I would be horrified if my child's teacher acted the way you do. If you're not proud to be an American, please go elsewhere with your rabble-rousing.

Answer 6

I understand where you are coming from on this issue. My question to you is, Do you stand and say the Pledge? It is fine and commendable of you to offer the kids a choice, but let peer pressure do its work. If you and other kids take the Pledge, then the others will come around.

If there is one thing that this country needs now, it is Patriotism and school kids have been saying the Pledge since before your parents were born.

You should set a good example for the students.

Answer 7

While I don't think that students can or should be forced to recite the pledge of allegiance. I think you are wrong in your assessment of it not belonging in "public" schools. Why should a nation not promote loyalty to one's nation especially in a setting that is funded by the government (public school). I think the nation has a moral obligation to teach civic and national pride in one's country and am encouraged by the fact that other teachers are standing up to you (although calling you a communist is ridiculous).

Why shouldn't the citizens of a country be willing to and learn in their youth to stand up for their country and the values that that country espouses.

It is sad to see a teacher that is probably so caught up in moral relativism to not appreciate the value of the country that provides so much to so many. It is also sad that this issue would come up (assuming that you are not bringing it up yourself in class). There are so many around the world that would give everything they have to change places with any of the students in your class or yourself. Unfortunately, it seems that the US is loosing a lot of its national pride and loyalty and people are not taking advantage of what they have been given by virtue of birth into this great nation.

Answer 8

i belive if you are living in the united states and are benefiting by the numerous advantages (and rights) offered by the constitution and the government in any way (everyone living here does) you should be more than willing to prove your loyalty to the country, or else go live somewhere else...while i believe you are unpatriotic by not wishing you to say it yourself, it is also not right to force someone else to say it, and with that i agree with you...while you are right in not forcing them to say the pledge of allegiance, i would ask that you have your students at least respect the flag and/or the respect others place towards it by not doing anything distracting during the pledge of allegiance even if they themselves choose not to participate, because in that is the basis of tolerance oamong men, which is necessary in such a violent and conflict-seeking world

Answer 9

Well I agree and disagree with you. You are right to tell them of their rights. But the Pledge of Allegiance (to the American flag) does have a place in American-funded schools.

Answer 10

Actually, the kids are minors and have no "rights" as listed in the US Constitution... According to the 26th Amendment, they obtain the rights on their 18th birthday... until THAT point they are the responsiblility of their parents and those agencies granted power BY the parents (ie SCHOOLS).

I wouldn't force a kid to stand for the POA... One question, what GRADE level are you teaching ??

Little kids SHOULD stand and recite the POA, and if the hippie-communist parents don't like it... go to a private school.