was there a case in which a student refused to say the pledge in a school setting.?

Question

was there a case in which a student refused to say the pledge in a school setting. What were the objections and how did the court rule?

Answer 1

I don't know the specifics, but there was a case where a Jehova's Witness refused to recite the pledge because it is against the religion to pledge to anything besides their god. I believe it went to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled that schools cannot force students to recite the pledge.

I don't know what the opposing argument was, but I imagine it has to do with teaching kids to be patriotic.

Answer 2

Jehovahs Witnesses do not salute the flag of any country, we also did not Heil Hitler as was demanded in Germany.
Our loyality is to God first, and we maintain a Christian neutrality in all political matters.,

During the week of September 4 1935 children of Witnesses were removed from the class room in Canonburg Pennsylvania. They were taken to the Boiler room of the school an d whipped for refusinhg to salute. Grace Estepe, A TEACHER WAS FIRED FROM THE SCHOOL FOR THE SAME REASON
On November 6 William and Lillian Gobitas refused to salute the flag and were expelled from school at Minersville, Pa.
Their father suid to have the children re-instated into the school. Both the Federal court and the circut court of appeals decided in favor of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
How ever, In 1940, with the nation on the brink of war, the U.S. Supreme court, in Minersville School District vs. Gobitis, ruled by 8 to 1 decision, upheld the compulsory flag saluting in public schools. This lead to a nation wide out burst of violence towards the Witnesses.
The attacks were so many and so violent that Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt pleaded with the public to desist.
On June 16 1940, the U.S. solicitor general, Francis Biddle, in a coast to coast radie broadcast, made specific refferences to the atrocities commited against the Witnesses and said these would not be tolerated. It did not stem the tide of violence how ever.

Later June 14 1943 the Supreme court reversed its decission again stating that NO official, high or petty, can prescribe what shallbe orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion or forse citizens to confess by word or act their faith therin.


Ontario Canada in the Donald vs Hamilton Board of Education was the reasining point set out as an example.

Same day as the Barnette case the Supreme court of Mississippi also ruled that Jehovah's Witnesses could not be charged with sedition for explaining their reasons from refraining from a flag salute.
Since that time I believe all most all cases of refusing to salute the flag in school have been leagily up held in the courts of the United States and in Canada