What is so bad about not saying the pledge?

Question

I don't pledge allegiance to the flag because I believe it contradicts my religious beliefs. But in this question I asked earlier, I recieved a few negative responses for not believing in the pledge.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvGFsdayW86pRyzfavCFNFTsy6IX?qid=20070704135836AAmomTI

Aren't we supposed to have freedom of religion? Or has that gone out the window?

Who says I have a problem with the "under God" part? The whole reason I don't recite it is because of God! I believe it is equivalent with worshipping a false idol to pledge allegiance to a flag.

Answer 1

As far as I am concerned there is nothing wrong with not saying the pledge. You are not alone in your belief that "pledging allegiance to the the flag" violated the commandment about worshiping false idols.

Using the Pledge as a measure of patriotism is about the weakest measure there is. It's just words. Actions are what matter. The measure of patriotism should be the degree to which you are engaged in your country and community, do you participate in its governance, do you abide by its laws, and do you respect the ideals set forth in the Constitution.

By the way for those you stuck on the "under God" part, it was added in the 1950s to separate us from those godless commies in Russia.

For everyone who says that one should "just say it" even if it violates your beliefs seems to have forgotten that freedom of conscience is one of fundamental freedoms as Americans. Force people to recite something to make you feel better goes against that and make a mockery of the pledge.

Answer 2

I read those responces and agree with you completely. Reciting the pledge is a choice and not doing so doesn't make you anti-religious or unpatriotic. I also forgoe saying the pledge when possible because I question the existence of god and it makes me very uncomfortable and angry when politicians say 'God bless America' after speeches. I also don't want to show this government my support when I feel that they've violated my trust. I can't stand it when people say that critisising the government or not saying the pledge is unpatriotic and against our troops. Aren't there better ways of supporting our troops then saying the pledge? Personally, I think that trying to end conflict's we're in would help much more than blandly reciting a poem. I love this country and feel that I'm taking full advantage of my rights by not saying the pledge. I respect anyone with a different opinion, but isn't that the point of a democracy? That we don't all have the same opinion?

Answer 3

Just curious as to why, as a Christian, you would take issue with pledging allegiance to the flag. I understand you would not want to worship the flag because then you are portraying the flag as an idol ... which it is not. However, I see pledging allegiance to be a very different thing than worshiping.

The Christian faith teaches us that God wants us to be obedient and lawful citizens. I would say that by pledging your allegiance, especially to a Christian Nation such as the United States, it would be seen as obedient civic loyalty and not false worship. (I am assuming that is why you don't care for the phrasing of pledging allegiance and of course I might be totally wrong in your reasoning.)

I also think alot of the people who are responding are getting WAY to caught up in the words. Essentially, the Pledge of Allegiance is a statement of loyalty to our great nation. It isn't saying the U.S. is perfect or that you always agree with domestic or foreign policy, it is just saying you are loyal to your country.

Answer 4

You have the right to not speak the Plegde at any time, not just if it contradicts your RELIGIOUS beliefs. Frankly, in the last several years, I have a REAL problem with the "And justice for ALL" part of it, so I simply do not say those words.

Dare I say that most people can have "issues" with parts of the Pledge... "ONE nation..." "under God..." "Indivisible..." "Liberty..." "Justice..."

We are to have freedom OF religion, but many these days interpret that as freedom FROM religion.... but THIS is also a separate issue.

Don't take the negative responses so hard! Try growing a thicker skin... remember, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but WORDS will never hurt me."

And... be thankful that you live in a country where you CAN "NOT" say the Pledge without getting your head chopped off! (I'm sure you are, dear! Be nice to the kitty, dear!)

Answer 5

"what in the event that they discover that they prefer an additional nation bigger?" Then they may be able to transfer there while they're older. I do not see that reciting phrases goes to have an impact on them drastically (regardless that I do feel forcing children to mention it's flawed - what approximately a little one within the elegance who is not an American citizen?). I'd need to say, I individually discover the American obsession with flags and pledges to be distasteful, however then I'm no longer American. There are more commonly cultural matters which I discover fully usual and plenty of Americans discover distasteful.

Answer 6

There should be nothing wrong with not saying the pledge. In my mind it makes you a hypocrite if you stand there and recite it while not believing it.

You go right on not reciting it.

I have no problem reciting it, but truly I have no "allegiance" to "the flag." A flag is a symbol, nothing more. I have allegiance to my country, the people, our constitution, etc.

Answer 7

No one is required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It has always been a matter of personal choice.

I always did until they added the "under god" thing back in the 50's which turned it from a beautiful patriotic affirmation into some sort of a religious acknowledgment.... I haven't recited it since.

This is NOT a nation "under god"......we are WAY to diverse to paint everyone with the same brush...

So, let the holy-rollers have it. I love my country and need no outward display to show it.

Answer 8

I don't pledge allegiance myself, but when it is being said, I still have the respect to stand. I think people are becoming more and more patriotic with the war. Being patriotic no longer means just supporting your country, but the troops as well (because many of us know many of them). That's why I think people are getting more sensitive about things like this. I say..do what you believe in. If you don't believe in it, than there is no reason to partake in it. I respect other people's opinions, and that's how everyone should be. These same people who get all in a huff about it, are the same people saying how terrible Iraq is for trying to control how other people think. People need to look at themselves and not be so focused on placing judgments on others.

Answer 9

Ya, in my school you don't have to say it...some people in my friend's homeroom don't even stand up. i agree with you. my 6th grade social studies teacher was talking about Mousselini and how he had everyone do something similar every day in school and my friends and I compared it to the Pledge and simply the statement "i pledge allegance" is a bit strong. but i agree with you and don't think you should worry too much about what others say, this has been turned into legal cases many times.

Answer 10

I never got into it because I never felt right participating in group recitations; it had such an eerie feel to it. Many folks were just mumbling through it, as opposed to reciting it with gusto and pride. There was an obvious feeling of "well, I'm participating in this because I feel I have to..."

Never got into pledges or religious recitations for the same reason.