every now and then at school we do the pledge of allegience. im the only one in the whole class who does not stand up. the teacher then starts asking me why im not doing it and tells me to do it and i refuse. when he asks why i reply "i do not believe in god i am an atheist". he then asks me what that has to do with anything and i say "dont get me wrong i love my country but i refuse to say the pledge of allegience if it says "one nation under god" he then starts lecturing me in front of the whole class in why i should believe in "god" but it falls on deaf ears. i am the only one out of everybody i know who does not believe "god" is real. what is your opinion on the "under god" part of the pledge of allegience?
2007-05-07 19:00:55 · 23 answers · asked by robin c 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
isnt there laws to keep school and religion seperate?
2007-05-07 19:09:01 · update #1
isnt there also laws to keep church and state seperate?
2007-05-07 19:09:19 · update #2
If you are so offended by it, go live somewhere else where there is no religion. You'll find that you have a very good life right where you are!!! Show respect for yourself and your country by standing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance -- just omit the "offensive" part. Then sit down and think about how fortunate you are living in a country where you have the freedom to have that choice in the first place. If you lived under another regime, you would probably have your tongue removed or worse for speaking the way you do!
By the way, are you attending a publicly funded school? If you are, then walk yourself out the door and NEVER come back! You can't be hypocritical in one aspect and still enjoy the benefits of the institution on the other. Go to Iraq and see how you survive and get along without religious beliefs!!!!
2007-05-07 19:12:25 · answer #1 · answered by NJGuy 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I kinda agree. I don't care super strongly either way, as it's always been optional at my school, and no one makes a big deal if you don't want to say it. At my current school, it's actually not even in there. Our pledge of allegiance is basically the same, but a little different. (It says 'I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisibly, with liberty, equality and justice for all.') Anyways, the pledge itself doesn't bother me, but I think the issue that Christianity is dominant in our political system is a bit of a problem. As you said, an atheist or agnostic politician would never make it very far, and I think it's unfair to have such a strong bias towards Christianity that no other religion is allowed to lead our country. (Even though there isn't a direct law prohibiting it, I don't see an atheist or agnostic president any time soon.)
2016-05-18 00:26:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The words "under God" are in the pledge because Congress put them there.
The "seperation of church and state" phrase can mean anything you want for it to mean. And good luck on taking a guess as to what the Supreme Court will do, because with those people on the Court, it is always a perpetual guessing game as to what they will do next. There is very little logical consistancy in what they do with this doctrine.
To me, the only thing that the phrase "seperation of church and state" means, in regards as to the issue of the pledge, is that the words can only be officially added to the pledge by an act of Congress. No church or collection of churches has any authority to make laws for the entire country, nor for any state or local government. Laws are made by the people's elected representatives in legislatures. Laws are not made by churches as part of their goal to have influence outside of their own congregations. But so far as the law WAS made by the popularly elected legislature, then it passes constitutional scrutiny.
2007-05-07 19:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey you don't ever have to stand and say the pledge. Your reasons are YOUR reasons alone but if your teacher isn't satisfied with that then quote from West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. I can't remember the words exactly used but it essentially said that no state or local government can force an individual to swear an oath to something they do not believe in. Whether it be for religious reasons or personal beliefs. It's most interesting that the Supreme Court came to this decision before the Pledge included the words "under God."(1940's) That was only added during the communist scare in the 50's to "catch communists because they didn't believe in God" or some non-sense like that.
2007-05-07 20:31:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have very bad karma. God is NOT dead. You are just trying to make an pain in everybody elses behind. People know you are in the room, no one likes a trouble maker and it sounds like you are. Your beliefs should be kept to your self. But for the most part look at it as a traditon. And you know the guy that you don't believe is there? Will tell you about it when you get to the other side. Then you will remember ( i told you so ) And i bet your life sucks too, nothing going right for you! You don't have to believe in God, but that kick he is going to give you.........you are not going to like it. You like money don't you. If In God We Trust bothers you so much, I'll take it! What a putts you are!
2007-05-15 16:20:00 · answer #5 · answered by cprucka 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're in the minority. Like you said, you're the only one you know who doesn't believe in God. That's just life. When you're in the extreme minority, you have to be tolerant of the majority. It's been the in the pledge forever, and it probably will stay in the pledge forever.
Why can't you just stand at least out of respect for your country and our soldiers fighting for us overseas? You don't have to say the "under God" part or even say any of it. Have some respect! And I challenge you to start asking yourself why it is you don't believe in God. You're a young man, give it some more thought, and research it. I researched it. And there's no way as complex as the human body or the universe is, that it just came about by chance! It had to have a creator.
2007-05-07 22:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by SW1 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because America was founded on the principle that certain rights are God-given and therefore can't be taken away by other perople - the state.
The language was added in 1954 (the same year segregation was declared illegal) to distinguish us from communist nations where they believed any rights came from the state, and could be taken away by it.
In America, you can sit during the Pledge because we believe God gave you that right. :)
PS There isn't (sic) laws prohibiting religious expression in schools. Such laws would be unconstitutional.
2007-05-07 23:42:13 · answer #7 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The establishment clause of the first amendment prohibits the government from establishing a state religion. It does not, however, prohibit the goverment from recognizing that religions exists, and allows for expressions of a general religious nature in the operation of the government.
The current distiction is the endorsement test, and put forth by O Connor. Expressions that embrace god are acceptable as long as they do not endorse a specific religion, as they recognize the role of religion in the history of our country. For example:
In god we trust: Ok
May god save the members of the court: Ok
Swearing a judge in on a bible: Ok (but only because of the effect on the person being swore in. An atheist might use the Origin of the Species or the Elegent Universe).
The city erecting a nativity scene in front of city hall: NOT ok. (endorses christ based religions).
Christmas trees in from of city hall: Ok. (general expressing of holiday).
A cross in front of city hall at christmas time along with reighdeer, santa clause, etc: Ok (cross is just a part of the over all holiday).
One nation under god: Ok. Because it does not endorse any religion.
That's the law. But I disagree with it. I think that any expression of "god", establishes diesm over atheism, which consitites and endorsement.
Maybe you can help change the law. It's been done, and the country needs leaders who can think for themselves.
2007-05-07 21:06:35 · answer #8 · answered by tallthatsme 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Go visit some third world country and you will not be given a choice. Just be grateful that here you have a teacher, not a torturer, and they only gave you a lecture not a lashing from a whip. You are in school to learn, so do just that. you still have a chance. HISTORY my young minded friend is what you need to concentrate on, not MTV or SPONGE BOB.
2007-05-15 09:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by buzz8bud 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was added in the 50s to show the godless Communists that we were a god-ful country.
Your teacher is an idiot.
I refused to say the pledge when I was in school (because I wasn't interested in pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth), but I would still stand--a combination of staying under the radar and a bit of respect for the other people.
Add: Regarding the "forefathers" wanting it there, of course you know it was written in the late 19th century.
2007-05-07 19:05:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋