What do you do when people do things they assume everyone agrees with?

Question

I am part of a board and at the start of each meeting they stand and say the pledge of allegiance. I stand out of respect for the people, but I do not, nor do I ever, say it. The main reason is "Under God" does not belong in it. I feel like people wonder but since it is mostly adults that I respect (in their 40s and 50s and some are even Vietnam Vets) if they asked I dont think I could tell them that I do not believe in God or even in what some of what America is doing. I dont think I should have to Pledge my Allegiance to anything. Same when people sneeze, I dont say bless you. It is so funny how religion is integrated into everyday life and it isnt fair when we are suppose to have freedom of religion. What do you think? In your own life or anything else?


PS interesting question? give it a star

Answer 1

As one of the answers here says, these phrases have lost their religious meanings and are now just expressions. however, i think that the real reason behind your frustration is that you feel like you will not be accepted if you actually tell these people that you do not believe in god and you are frustrated that you have to carry on the chirade or be thought of as wierd/rebellious.
I too do not believe in god or any religion for that matter and i struggle with revealing what i believe to people. In some cases it can be damaging to one's career or it may make you an outcast in a group. I have decided to be true to myself. I do not go around announcing my believes or disbelieves to people and especially at work (one of the hospitals i work in is a seventh day adventist hospital) i try to keep my opinion to myself. I do however stand up for what i believe in when the occasion presents itself. I do not lie to try to fit, it just makes me feel really bad about myself afterwards.
But kudos in standing up for what you believe in. i am not saying that you should out yourself but just realize that the resentment you feel of not being able to claim your disbelief is at the root of your frustration, not the having to say or not say the pledge of allegiance

Answer 2

Back in high school, I used to say the pledge, but then I stopped because I felt like I was lying to myself. It never felt right to say it, and my teacher never made us--we just had to stand up.

I have no problem with the phrase, "Under God" in the pledge, because it's part of America's history, and I see it as such. I used to be a god-fearing Baptist, but now my faith has dwindled down to a fraction of what it was, and I am constantly questioning religion and its claims.

With reference to your statement about not saying "Bless you" when someone sneezes, I must ask: Why not? You do say , "Oh my God!" or "Jesus Christ!" every now and then when something startles/scares you, don't you? These are simply phrases which have no bearing on religion anymore, or so I see it. They are constantly overused, day in and day out, in all languages (or at least western languages), and their reference to Christianity/religion has all but dried up. When you spill coffee on yourself (or whatever), don't you say something along the lines of "goddammit!" or "Holy Sh*t?" If you've ever used the latter (which I'm sure you have--we all do), you have made a religious reference by your use of "holy," but do you really think about it religiously?

You don't know how many atheists tell people to go to hell, or use the terms "holy" or "god" in their everyday speech. They are just words. Words that used to have religious meaning, but have now spead to the modern world. The religious meanings are reserved for Sunday Service and Wednesday night gatherings at the local church. However, if you opt not to speak such religious words, that's up to you, though I'm almost positive that you do so--whether subconciously or not.

Answer 3

It is interesting actually.

I dont believe in God either. And I never say the pledge of allegiance either for that matter, but I do still occasionally say bless you when someone sneezes. Its just polite. Besides, most people who know me know that I dont believe in God. I respect them, they respect me. Thats the only way it can work.

Mind you, its gotta be real respect. No pretending to respect them then bashin them for their beliefs with other people as soon as theyre not around. That never works out.

Yes, to some degree Christianity has hijacked the good old US of A. Despite how many people'll be talkin about how this country is founded on Christianity, its not.

But yknow, in the end, its only you that decides what you believe, what your ideas are, what you think, etc. So you have "in god we trust" written on coins. And? I dont trust in god, but I dont really care if its written on coins. I didnt write that, it doesnt speak for me. When I write I speak for myself. Thats all that really matters in the end.

The original Christians underwent persecution for their beliefs and that was alot worse than this. So has pretty much every other major religious group. Just gotta keep some perspective, (and some free thought, as youre clearly already doin).

Have a great day

Answer 4

for a similar reason that if 50 people sitting in a circle whisper a undeniable word to the single next to them, by ability of the time it is going by to all 50 that word is different than while it started! Interpretation! what proportion people have confidence in "god" in the international??? A concern-loose "certainty" in an attempt to speak, yet what proportion people over the centuries have been killed because of the fact what they % out is extremely different than what others do? additionally: In what you wrote after your question, the incredibly insane must additionally participate to boot in finished settlement. otherwise its no longer "finished" is it? They, only no longer expertise does no longer warrant their imput being abscent from the entire.

Answer 5

Actually "Under God" was never put in by the author, it was added by someone else. So you could just omit it , and say you are honoring it's original form.

Answer 6

I believe you should stand up for what you believe in. . First of all you do not have to explain your views to anyone if you choose not to, however if you just dont want to sound rude you can explain that they are personal choices. You should never be ashamed of what you believe in.

Answer 7

I agree with you and do and feel the exact same way. At this point, you've just got to do your thing because people are Blindly brainwashed by traditions...no one's actually "thinking" anymore.

Answer 8

they added "under god " during the communist scare of the late 40's ,my question is if people have a problem with it ,why get rid of the whole thing why don't the just change it back