Pledge of Allegiance

Not looking to start drama, just wondering what public opinion is (and this is the only place I have access to that demonstrates a larger subset of people)

There is a town in Massachusetts looking to prohibit the reciting of the pledge due to the fact that it makes some students uncomfortable (or should I say it makes the parents uncomfortable having their children say it). I believe they are referring to the "Under God" part.

How do you feel about the Pledge of Allegiance in Schools?

ETA: Found this interesting history of the wording of the pledge of allegiance. How it is today was not always how it was worded.

Pledge of Allegiance

Message edited 9/8/2011 4:08:17 PM.

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I think if the 'under God' part offends someone, they should just not say that part.

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I'm undecided as to if it should be said in school. I don't know that I find it necessary to pledge your allegiance to a country on a daily basis.

As for the "under God" part, I think it should be taken out & brought back to its original form. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance#Addition_of_.22under_God.22

This is a nation that is supposed to have a separation of church & state. And before it's brought up, I don't think "In God We Trust" should be printed on our money either. I don't agree with Congress's decision that those phrases have lost religious meaning.

Message edited 9/8/2011 4:14:03 PM.

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Every. Single. Morning.
Every. Single. Word.

Even from an Agnostic (or close to it) yes, every single word.

We used to have to say the pledge
Sing the National Anthem
AND sing Our Country Tis of Thee

Furthermore, we were required to stand up and hold our hands over our hearts and face the flag not only at school but at the local movies as well. Every movie, Every time.

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I don't really see the point of saying ti every day honestly.

I think students should be instructed to omit "under god" if they are uncomfortable.

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This is America, it is tradition and it is outrageous to me to even question it. GOOD LORD! oops I said Lord

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I don't think it should be said.

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I think that it should be said every morning. I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think it's important to show honor to God and to the country.

Some don't believe in God. Some don't believe in the country. That's fine. Don't say it or omit "under God" when you say it. I have no issue with that.

Lack of faith/support/belief in God and the country don't make them any less real. Additionally, hearing things that one does not agree with is a part of life. We can't just live in a magical bubble where no one ever says anything that we ourselves don't support.

Message edited 9/8/2011 4:55:26 PM.

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I see nothing wrong with kids saying the Pledge in schools. I did it and often wondered why a few kids would stand with us but not say it.

I don't understand why it makes anyone uncomfortable, but I can understand taking out 'under God' since it's not how it was written and it is inconsistent with a separation of church and state and our freedom of religion.

I think it should be recited in classrooms daily just like it was when I was a kid.

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Message edited 9/8/2011 5:12:05 PM.

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I personally think the pledge is creepy.

The "under God" part is a whole separate issue; it doesn't belong there because we are supposed to enjoy a government based on separation of church and state. I don't get wound up about it, but still.

But in general, it's just weird to me that we force children to stand and recite this thing in unison and pledge loyalty to something they're not even old enough to understand. It's like something right out of 1984.

But I'm a a teacher, so I make them stand. I stand up out of respect and say nothing.

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Yes I think it should be. We should feel damnn lucky & proud to be Americans and to live here. I understand if people are uncomfortable w/the god piece--feel free to omit it. IMO children should respect and love the country they in which they live, the place educating them (in many cases for free), ensuring their freedom and keeping them safe. It grates on my last nerve when students do not want to or are not willing to do the pledge of allegiance (I work in a school).

Message edited 9/8/2011 5:23:18 PM.

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It is creepy to me as well. I don't think it is neccesary to recite every day a pledge to a country just because you live there. I consider myself lucky to have many freedoms...but I don't consider myself lucky to live in the US,...if I were born somewhere else and researching places to live and were afforded the opportunity and had the financial means..I would not live here. This doesn't mean I don't. Respect our government...our leaders...our army's. I do. I simply do not need to show this support because I'm forced to.

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I'd like to see it re-written.

I teach 2nd graders the meaning and history behind it for one of our SS units and it was then that I realized just how hard it is to understand with all those big vocabulary words.


I also had 2 Jehovah's Witnesses in my class last year and I taught all my students that noone can force you to say the Pledge- not the school, government - NOONE! Some days I say it, some days I don't.

I love my country- even with all its faults- but don't feel the need to say it out loud every day.

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Offer it in school but have it optional to partake in w/out ramifications.

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Another reason the country is going down the tubes...

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