"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and
to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,
with
liberty and justice for all."
The pledge of allegiance--an all too familiar elementary school memory. The pledge has been passed down by generations, and our young people recite it at the beginning of their school day almost as if they have no choice in the matter. Do you think that the pledge should still be taught/recited in our schools? Why or why not? Should teachers put more effort into teaching kindergarten students or first-graders about the pledge in greater depth than they do, such as the history behind it, who wrote it, and so on?
Do you think it is fine not to recite the pledge in schools? I've experienced a time first-hand,
in high school, when a student wouldn't stand up to, I guess, "respect" his/her country. Was the person "right" to do this? Does it bother you as an American citizen to see the lack of effort or care put into these few words that shaped our country into what it is today? What are your views on the pledge of allegiance? When we say the pledge, what are we really doing? What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a flag? Do you want to retain "Under God" in the pledge? Why/why not?
Katherine
17 comments:
I’m okay with not reciting the pledge of allegiance; I personally stopped saying it around the time high school started. I actually once refused to stand up for it too, and was told to see the teacher after class because of that stunt. Does this make me less of an American? Heck no, America was actually built by men and women who stood up for what they thought was right; which is how I felt at the time. Around my junior and senior years of high school, I came to understand that I don’t have to say it, but at least I can stand up out of respect.
Saying the pledge is a way of showing one’s love and loyalty to the country. Some people probably see it as a serious ritual while others just participate thoughtlessly. Just because someone doesn’t recite the pledge, doesn’t mean they don’t have love and passion for this country.
I feel that “Under God” should be taken out of it, considering it was originally not in the pledge when it was written.
-Sam
I think the idea of pledging yourself to a flag, for your country is just dumb. How the past of what our country used to be help us with what going on now in our country? I think instead of MAKING kids recite the pledge of allegiance we should have the kids recite how they are going to help this world. When we recite the pledge of allegiance, it just seems pointless to me. Why should we have to say something to the flag that is supposed to symbolize something great when our country is the way that it is now. With all the violence, fraudulent activity, and corrupt people in our government, it just doesn't seem that our country is as great as it used to be. With we as the people of this country, we should put forth our talent and make this country into something great. The pledge talks about not being divisible, that this country is one, well then why the heck do all the state have borders with different set of rules for each state? It kind of seems like they are trying to divide us if you ask me. Overall I think the pledge of allegiance has lost it's meaning and kids should be taught what they want to do to help shape this country for the good of everyone and the earth.
Julie
Making children say The Pledge of Allegiance totally denies one of the rights of The First Amendment, The right to choose religion. It also denies the Establishment clause of The First Amendment. Personally, speaking I am not against The Pledge of Allegiance; all I am saying is that teachers should not force students the stands up and say The Pledge of Allegiance. As we all know America is filled with immigrants from all over the world. I do not think that not standing up would be disrespecting America. But I would like to say that teacher should and must teach about The Pledge of Allegiance.
-Nilay
I see both sides of this. the pledge is a very important part of our history but it is not taught anymore because the under God part might offend someone. We have become so PC that we sometimes turn away from the very values that built this country.
If you don't like saying under God than don't say it but why do you have to ruin it for others? The sad part is that it only takes one to say I'm offended" and we feel like we have to comply licky split. This behavior would never be tolerated in another country so why do we find it necessary to bend over backwards here? When will it end? Rebecca spellmeyer
As a kid growing up in this state from another country I learned the pledge of allegiance. I was okay with it because i knew i had to pay my respects for being in a country with so much freedom and opportunity. Im not saying that its right to make it mandatory in schools because that taking away an individuals freedom of speech. I personally think its up to the individual if they want to say the pledge or not. It doesn't make someone less of an American, the pledge is initially paying tribute to men and women that make this country what it is. As for people that don't want to say the pledge i think its respectful to those around that do take pride to either just stand or at least leave the area until the pledge is over, only out of respect for others. As for changing "under God" in the anthem, if you don't agree with that part then just don't recite the pledge. It up to the person to want to say it or not.
Josue
Personally, I am pretty sure I was pleased to learn the pledge when I was a kid. It was a mark of my memory, which had started to bud and thus, it was a proud achievement in my young life. Now, I know most people say it without really thinking of the meaning, but it is something we have that is truly American. And yes, we should know the meaning and yes; we should keep the words, “Under God” in it. Our country was founded by Christians; it is homage to our heritage to add religion into the pledge. If you do not believe in God then you should be allowed to substitute whatever deity you wish into that part of it.
I am a Christian, but I am also very tolerant of other religions. I believe that people should get off their high-horses and recognize that we are ALL EQUAL, no matter what gender, race, sexual orientation, or religion. We are a country where many people come together, so it’s time to get over fighting amongst ourselves because it’s honestly quite ridiculous and just plain ignorant.
Lauren Smith
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal to say the pledge at school. If a kid comes from a family who doesn’t want to say it, then that kid can let the school know and he or she doesn’t have to participate. I think the pledge is a big part of history and a big tradition in most schools, which is why we still do it. It also shows kids where they come from; that we’re free and we have tons of rights that not many other countries have. The fact that people want to take the pledge out of schools shows we are taking these rights and freedoms for granted. I remember my first grade teacher had some sort of “Pledge Week” at the beginning of the year, and she read us a lot of books about it and we did lots of arts and crafts to learn about it, so I think that it was very beneficial and kids should still get to learn about it.
I think it’s fine to not recite the pledge if it’s a religious thing, or something, but if you come to America to live here, then have some respect and recite the pledge. After all, if you want to be a citizen here then you have to take on the responsibilities that come with it, and I think things like the pledge should be one of those.
Lastly, I don’t see any reason to remove the “Under God” line of the pledge. We didn’t write the pledge, so we can’t change it. It was written years and years ago, and it was written this way for a reason, so it needs to be left the way it is. We need to have respect for that and for the person who wrote it.
Chelsey
I have never qualified for financial aid because my parent’s income is too large but I do think that it is a good idea for those who need it. However, I think that if you qualify the state should pay for the student’s expenses directly to the school because I do know someone who received financial aid while their parents paid for their college expenses and then used the money that they received from the state on a shopping trip and a vacation. That is not what the money is intended for, nor is it fair to people who need it but can’t get it because the funds have run out too early. I think overall it is a good investment by the government because without a good education it is hard for people to succeed.
Elizabeth Luke
I don’t know about other people, but I had a lot of fun reciting the pledge of allegiance in elementary school. Plus, what’s so bad about being a nation under God and pursuing liberty? If you are not a Christian, then you do not need to recite it. All of my teachers made it optional; I have never met a teacher that was strict about it. I did not really understand the pledge until middle school, which made me like it even more.
-Charlie
It does kind of bother me that a student would not stand up for their country and recite the "Pledge of Allegiance". We all have the choice and right to live in America. If you don't honor our country than why would you be living here? Just saying...
-Samantha
The pledge of Allegiance is a joke. What schools do is make first graders take an oath to a flag that represents our government, which is called brainwashing. It is the same thing that the Nazi's did with the Hitler Youth, in bed ideas and loyalties in children s mind from a young age and as adults you will own them. If prayer or religion is banned from schools why shouldn't political doctrine.
Schnitzel
I believe that the pledge of allegiance should be allowed in school but not enforced. Rather there should be a time where students that want to say the pledge can. For those students that don't want to stand and say the pledge, they should not be forced to. Not everyone was born here in America. For historical reasons yes the pledge should be memorized but it is not necessary to recite every day. A pledge is not a pledge unless it’s real. That is why no one should be forced to do so. The only reason why the pledge is because you have to state UNDER GOD. In a nation where everyone is awarded freedom of speech and the right to his or her own beliefs, it is very important to respect each other’s opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Therefore it would be very inconsiderate to say a person is wrong because their opinion does not correspond with yours. We are all different individuals from different backgrounds. I believe that people would get along with each other so much easier if we respect each other by basically agreeing to disagree.
missolo
I liked reciting the pledge of allegiance, and I think that they should not take it out of the schools, but it should be optional if the children want to recite it.
Natoka
i feel as the pledge of allegiance should be based on personal preference. we live in the land of the "free" and i say again free. i was that type of student that did not want to do something unless i knew exactly what i was doing it for. we as parent and the teachers should take more time to give the background and history of our great state. if we give these kids better understanding of our history, they will be more receptive to the pledge of allegiance.
-Christopher Hodges
I do think the pledge should be taught in schools, but I do not think it should be mandatory for students to have to stand up and say it if they don't want to. Even if it's just pure laziness, if you don't want to do something like this I feel like you shouldn't have to. Saying the pledge doesn't make you any more loyal to your country, in my opinion, and it doesn't make you any less loyal if you don't want to say it. I DEFINITELY think that "under God" should be taken out; school (public school, anyway) and religion should have nothing to do with each other.
Andi
The pledge was literally forced upon me in school. I dismissed it as a simple 20-ish second procedure that had to be done every morning in a place that I didn't want to be in the first place. I see zero point in it as a whole, and don't see any harm in forgetting that it ever existed (like I did after Grades 1-12), but if it must continue, take out the 'Under God' part, and recite away; the 'Under God' part just simply isn't necessary and that's all there is to it to me.
Addison
I think that its ok to say the pledge of allegiance in school. To me, there is a certain level of tradition that I think just cant be ignored. Saying the pledge of allegiance is a way of showing a love for your country and I think is started at kindergarten so kids can learn it at a very young age and to understand what I means. Many people say that reciting the pledge of allegiance every day goes against the freedom of religion or it doesnt allow us to have freedom of speech. I think that teaching young kids in school the pledge of allegiance is a good thing.
Nolan
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