what up with the pledge?

Question

its obviously brainwash,why else would our gvrmnt MAKE 5yr old kids memorize it.

when i was in elem sch('85) i used to just move my mouth when kids were pledging,teacher caught me and MADE me say it in front of the class by myself.

now i got a little dude of my own and next year when he starts school i will tell him not to pledge as long as they keep the 'one natoin under GOD' in it.

dont mistake this for a lack of support for our country.

this is a just lack of support for organized religion within our public schools

Answer 1

What would you do if you were born in a country where you had no choice? I think that the four Fathers and the men and women who fought to make this country a free nation would rollover in their graves to see how people are acting. OK so you don't agree with "one Nation under God" go find another Nation!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I see the pledge as more of an old tradition started by the religious 4 fathers, I recite it as support for our country and out of tradition.
I feel as an American it is a privileged for those who were not born an American Citizen to be able to recite it, it is their sense of a better life and future.
I as well feel there are some problems with organized religion in school but would recommend if you are not a religious person talk to the teacher. Discuss with him/her your outlook and let them know you will not punish your child or put up with anyone punishing your son for not say that part of the pledge due to your beliefs and they should respect you for it.
I think for those who have a different religion than Christian could always say one nation under God, Budd ah, Mother Earth, etc to make it more towards their preference.
No one said you couldn't change it to suit your preferences.

Answer 3

The pledge should be used as a tool for patriotism. The religious right has made it a religious issue. Why can't it be "one nation under its people?" We are the driving force of our nation. We are who shape policies. It is great that our forefathers had faith in a higher being. Faith is all that matters. They had to have the faith that our nation would survive, and we have. Do we give all of the credit for that survival to God? If you do, then you have lost faith in the human spirit. Religion is more of a guidance to me, and not to be taken literally. You have to have a mixture of your faiths, or you become radical.

Answer 4

How about patriotism! Like it or not, with the freedom we have, also comes with responsibility! This is not a prefect country by no means, however is still is a blessing to be apart of it. If you don't like something about our country, do something positive to improve it. Burning the American flag is not going to help any issue, ask Rick Monday! The key is to build, evolve, not destroy.

Answer 5

You have a right to raise your children how you wish and in whatever religion you wish. Or none whatsoever.

If I had kids I'd try to keep them in their natural atheist state.

But I just get the feeling that you're trying to relive your experience through your son, and are wanting to take them on as an adult - because you didn't have any rights when you were a kid.

You're making your kid into a tool.

Personally I don't think you need to make a big deal of it. Say it, don't say it. Stand, sit, whatever. But fight your own battles and don't visit them upon your children.

Answer 6

Just so you know they can't force your child to speak the pledge, stand up or anything. When I was in HS i refused to speak the pledge for the same reason. At first they tried to tell me I had to step out of the room, and I did, and then the teacher got angry at me because I stepped out when the pledge had just began (even though he spoke right up to the minute the pledge started). Then my mom got involved. Oh, boy was she pissed. She told them that I have rights and they are not allowed to force me to speak the pledge, stand up, or step out of the room. That it's my first amendment right. But let your child make up his own mind. If you tell him what to do then you are just brainwashing him also.

Oh, and I love this country too, everything about it, including the separation of church and state.

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And for those who say that you should find another country to live in (and it's fore father's) you should do a little research about when the pledge included the controversial phrase and that the original author who penned the pledge didn't want to have God included.

Answer 7

well i feel sorry for you and your son. You should go over to another country and live stay there. I mean you aren't fit to behere with us freedom people. This is the type of people the US should get rid of not the illegal aliens.

Answer 8

Unless you are an atheist ...everyone believes in God. It doesn't matter what religion you are. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is not by any means promoting organized religion! It just stating unity!

Answer 9

I totally agree, they should never make anyone do this. But I also don't want your kid to experience bad feelings. Talk to his teacher, and school.

Answer 10

This country was developed from people who believed in G-d... There are many other countries that you can live in. Just because everything around you - doesn't suit you - doesn't mean it needs to.