Pledge of Allegiance Question?

Question

Okay heres a question that I'd like to here back on from immigrants as well as americans. What is your opinion on saying the pledge of allegiance in schools. I use to stand for it when I was younger but stopped because I feel that standing and half assing my way through a poem about a flag and God really has to bearing on the fact that I am or am not patriotic. What do you think?

Please refrain from xenophobic comments. I am a patriotic person and have duel citizenship. I applied for my American citizenship on my own and did not receive it after a parent.

Answer 1

I'm with you on this one. I'm extremely patriotic - not in a creepy nationalistic "America: right or wrong!" kind of way, but more in an "I genuinely appreciate the principles upon which this country stands" kind of way.

I, too, enjoyed the Pledge of Allegiance when I was young. I still do. I don't believe in god and I don't feel I am more patriotic when I recite it, but I really do just like the pledge. I also realize that a dislike of the pledge does not intrinsically mean you hate the United States. There are many more meaningful ways to express devotion to one's country other than standing there and saying some words that don't matter to you.

Answer 2

You're pledging your allegiance to the flag of this country you're living in and to a state of government in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. That we are one body of citizens under God. That you believe this country to be united and unable to be divisive on the questions of liberty and justice and you are willing to protect those rights. Whatever poetic and pretty a package it comes in; patriotism really has nothing to do with it. It is blatant propaganda. The question is: How do you feel about that propaganda? Do you believe in it? Then say it loud and proud. If you don't, then sit down keep quiet and perhaps you need to find a body of government you believe in more. That's the beauty of this country, if you don't like it the way it is you are free to leave at any time. We are also not a country of atheists. Most of us believe in God in some form or fashion. So many people are focusing on whether or not God is mentioned in the pledge, but you aren't pledging your allegiance to God. You're pledging allegiance to this country and what it stands for. It could be one nation under Ktulu and you would still be pledging your allegiance to your country regardless of what Dwight D. Eisenhower believed. Damn people, grow a thicker skin and give it a rest already.

Answer 3

Although I do see your point and can agree, reciting the pledge demonstrates your commitment to your country.

I will admit that, when I was in High School, they took the 10 Commandments out of the classroom. I stopped saying the Pledge in class after that because my God comes before my Country.

Answer 4

I think, like all rituals, the pledge is designed to create a certain subconscious reaction. It's words have serious meaning, and should help create a little loyalty and a sense of responsibility to protect what we have here.

That being said, I think it's a good one. I think it should still be performed in public schools. Perhaps if we had more pledging to the flag and all this nation represents the world would be a better place.

I guess it comes down to your beliefs. But, in the spirit of America, nobody should be FORCED to say the pledge. (Unless you are trying to get citizenship. HA!)

I pledge ALLEGIANCE
To the FLAG
Of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

And to the REPUBLIC (a democratic REPUBLIC. You need to vote to participate.)
For which it STANDS

One Nation
(***** ***)
INDIVISIBLE!
With LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

How beautiful is that? WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL! It brings tears to my eyes because so many people in this country just don't get it. All the blood, sweat and tears that have been spent to create this beautiful country. It's not about YOU, it's about a NATION OF PEOPLE! We should be INDIVISIBLE! All politics aside!

That's why I think it's a good ritual.

Answer 5

In reading through these answers it has come to my attention that things are radically different in some parts of the country in the public schools. I'm from Indiana and we only said the pledge throughout grades 1 thru 6. Never in middle school or high school. They did play the National Anthem before sporting events.

There was never anything religious in the schools except for a trailer that came once a year and gave out Bibles in elementary school. The Ten Commandments were never displayed. There was prayer at my commencement from high school. That was it for religion in public schools. Very different from what I'm reading in these answers. I graduated in 1965.

Answer 6

Should it be in school? Yes in my opinion. That is the age when pride in oneself and where you are from is formed.

Sorry to say this but if you are half assing your way through it then perhaps your not as patriotic as you thought? How hard is it to take a minute, two tops, to pay respect to your country and the flag for all it represents?

The flag is more than just a symbol of our country. It represents the men and women who have fought, bled, and died protecting the rights, freedoms, and virtues for which it is a symbol for. I have lost friends and family who fought bravely to protect the rights, freedoms and virtues that our flag stands for, and in my eyes taking a minute out of my day to show some respect for which they gave their lives for is a small price to pay.

Answer 7

In the old days, you would be paddled. This is the new America, where every kid is free to express their opinion.

When I was in school (the 80's), we said the pledge every day, even through high school.

Now, I am a high school teacher, at my 3rd school.

Every year, every school I teach at starts the year saying the pledge weekly, and then it slowly fades. By the end of the first month, you don't even hear of it anymore.

If you are going to do it, create something more about school spirit, or the importance of education, and go with that.

Too many people get upset by Gods and flags these days.

Answer 8

I feel great pride in my country, & in our past & present heroes who are & have fought & died when neccessary to protect the freedoms that flag represents. Sometimes an outward showing helps us remember the respect we have for our country. I went to a Tennessee game for the 1st time last year & I still get chills thinking of the feeling in the stadium as 116,000 people stood quietly really reverently with hats off & hands on hearts & listened to the National Athem. Both are a physical opportunity to reaffirm your feelings.
I am a Wolfpacker but GO VOLS!! I go to every game I can to feel that respect for our country & I stand & show respect for the USA everytime I hear the National Athem or the Pledge of Allegiance.

Answer 9

Pledges are for lodges, City, County, State and Federal officials or representatives, Military forces, and President, and staff members. Americans can pledge their allegiance to this country without being forced to, and still be patriotic. Religious organizations, and churches can't comprehend this though. Because they feel you can't say or pray to god in school. Churches are not schools, and schools are not churches. Public schools are funded by tax payer dollars, and Churches are private donations. Churches are for God talk, and Our schools are for learning and teaching our children scholastic needs, and social skills. Perhaps that's why it's suppose to be separations of church and state.

Answer 10

The pledge of allegiance was desecrated by congress with religion in 1954 in an attempt to distinguish the US from the Godless communists. In it's original form, the Pledge of Allegiance - written by a minister - made NO mention of God. Without God in our pledge we defeated Hitler. Now that there is no USSR, there is no benefit to maintaining the pledge in it's current form - it should be restored to it's original secular form.