would you consider this offensive...?

Question

at my school, which is public yet definitely primarily Christian, almost every single person said that it was dumb that people want to have "under God" taken out of the pledge when we discussed it in history. they also said that if the teacher wanted to start a class saying "Dear God," that would be fine b/c no one is being forced to participate.

what do you think?

but think about this...if you're a Christian and you think it should be ok to lead a prayer in public school as long as you dont have to participate...would you be offended if it was a satanic prayer? or some kind of wiccan oath? i mean you dont have to participate so it shouldnt technically be offensive right? what if the pledge said "one nation under the devil (or over the devil i guess)"...would you think it should be changed?

im jw your opinionsss thanks!

just to clear things up...im an agnostic n im not really sure what my opinion is about this. im very open minded so i just want to hear what everyone has to say.

ohh and also...my teacher wasnt going to actually pray hes an atheist. he was just wondering peoples opinion on the subject like me.

Answer 1

I am a Christian and have thought about this subject before. I think I disagree with most Christians in how I think about this. I think that any and all religious exhibitions should not be allowed. I mean publicly. If anyone of any religion wants to say a private prayer or do a private (whatever their particular thing is) while in the school, fine as long as it's private. Or...Any and all religious things should be allowed, as long as no one is forced to participate.

Would I find a satanic prayer or wiccan oath offensive? You know--not really. (Maybe interesting.) People can do it if they want to. It's not what I believe, but other people do and that's their right. I do draw the line at the point where I'm made to take part in it. Yes, if the pledge said 'one nation over the devil' (very cute, btw) I would want it changed. On the other hand I don't have much of a problem with the pledge the way it is now--but I've probably been indoctrinated into that.

I basically think that public places should not allow any or allow all. They say this country was founded on religious freedom. Some say otherwise, but in any case I think freedom of religion is a good thing. I don't want my rights taken away and I'm sure everyone feels the same way.

Answer 2

Well, that doesn't mean that the one person should be able to impose their beliefs on everyone else. If you don't like the teacher using those terms in class, let your teacher know. It's only appropriate if everyone is okay with it, not just practically everyone. But that doesn't mean that the pledge is the same thing. The pledge is traditional, but removing God from it for a few people is inappropriate, because it's removing some people's only reminder of God on days aside from Sunday. You know, when they change it to "one nation under/over the devil" I'll move. I'll flee this country and start my own or something. Just wait, you'll be out of public school soon enough.

Answer 3

I'm actually writing a paper on the Pledge of Allegiance being said at all.
I do think that if had read "one nation over the devil" it would be somewhat accurate...haha. But yes, Christians would get offended and not want it in the pledge.
Pretty much the pledge is used to brainwash kids into becoming loyal patriots to America. Seriously, does anyone pledge to the flag outside of school? When they're older and not a teacher? It's just pointless to pledge loyalty to a piece of cloth that is supposed to represent a whole nation.

Answer 4

I don't think it is necessarily offensive (at least to me), but you've hit the nail on the head. What may seem to be innocuous and harmless, starting out class by saying a prayer, suddenly seems offensive when the shoe is on the other foot. In the vast majority of schools, students are free to pray or worship (on their own time and while not disrupting others), but when a teacher starts class that way it becomes school sanctioned, which is a violation of your rights. I hope you will stand up and speak out in class and maybe you'll open up others' eyes. Chances are more people think like you than you realize, but are afraid to speak up. It's good to discuss things like this civilly in an open forum, and I would hope your teacher would allow for the discussion.

Answer 5

I think it would be cool if they rallied around the flag in the morning and said a prayer to Thor, instead of Jesus. I'd love to see the reaction.

The pledge is optional. No one should be forced to say it. To force people to show patriotism is wrong, to insist that they pledge an oath to a god they don't even believe in is even more wrong, not to mention silly. You'd think more people would be against it because by forcing people to do so, wouldn't it cheapen it because they don't really believe?

Answer 6

first yousay you are jw then you say agnostic...
anyway, i would not be offended. everyday ofmy public school life i heard the pledge of allegiance and never once participated in it. i do however, show respect for the belief, chant and ritual. i will stand out of respect, but i would not cover my heart nor recite the words. my allegiance lies withgodand not a man made government.

but it's not my business to stop those that wish to participate. why should i be offended? i work in a public school and still i see many religious and nationalistic practices. i participate in none of them. nothing to whine about. and nobody cares when i pray on my own. i'm certainly not making a spectacle out of myself.

Answer 7

I do understand were you are coming from. Satan, in the garden of Eden when he tempted Eve said to her ,surely you will not die. We all know we die. The grave yards are filled.
Also in Noah's day of the Flood there were only eight persons that went into the Ark.God would have all of us come on board while there is still time. Amen. I love this country. Don't you?

Answer 8

In my country we have the government paying the state school more money if they employ a preset
while i have no issue with the idea of religion in school if they teach all types of religion not just the one beliefs system.
One of my friends child had trouble with the preset in her school until i spoke to her about there religion after then she actually went looking for him and then he started hiding from her LOL
i do not think that religion and the state should ever be mix but the schools are OK i think

Answer 9

One nation over the devil, lol.

Here's something to tell them the next time this is brought up in history class.- The original pledge did not include' under god'. That was added later.

Answer 10

Christians founded this nation and Christians inherited this nation.

God appears in the declaration of independence and 49 state constitutions. We have earned the right to live in a Christian nation under God. This is not state sponsored religion. This is a recognition of religion being a legitimate focus of our daily lives.

In these times of increasing faithlessness there are a few who demand God be removed from all public places. This was not the intent of the provision of free worship. As long as this is a Christian nation Christianity will be declared and celebrated openly.

If you have no God then find a nation which has no God and help build it up. See how long before it collapses into a pile of rubble. See how long before it stinks of rot and unspeakable filth. This is the inheritance of the godless. Enjoy it.

For those who don't like that it's just too bad. Satan is the god of destruction. Go live in a country built by him and see if you like it there. There isn't any. He doesn't build anything.

Christians built this country. Respect that fact.