Students must remember 'God' in Texas pledge

[angel_luv]

I stopped saying the pledge of allegience in junior high.
I felt like I did not want to vow my loyalty when no one could explain to me what that entailed.
And if the pledge were just words, what did it matter if I said them or not.

So since then I have just stood in respectful silence while those who want to pledge do.

[Shelly]

They recited the PoA at the last PTA meeting I went to ... as well as the Texas one. I had no idea what the words were, so I just looked around at all of the other parents who didn't have a clue and were looking around, too. Looking at the kids ... because they apparently all knew it.

The elementary school my kids went to had to do both pledges. And if a parent volunteer who wasn't paying attention didn't stop what they were doing during said pledges, they got scolded! Even if you were walking to a classroom.

I know they do in middle school also. I'll find out about high school.

[angel_luv]

But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it's unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don't share the same religious beliefs.

Wouldn't the only ones who would have serious issue with be atheists?

[BeerIsGood!]

You mean like, guys who leave the state to play for OU?

Now that is one great idea. I'll be quietly awaiting the public execution by firing squad of Adrian Peterson. That is if we can manage extradition from those tight ass bas s in Minnesota.

[ShoogarBear]

I wonder what would happen if a kid said "under Allah" or "under Jah"?

Actually, I already know.

[BeerIsGood!]

Wouldn't the only ones who would have serious issue with be atheists?

I don't know. Are there really big differences between the invisible men in the sky who never appear yet demand we follow their rules or else be subjected to some sort of unsavory cir stance? If one invisible man in the sky is the same as all of the others, then I see no reason people should take exception as to which invisible man in the sky the pledge is refering.

[JoeChalupa]

I wonder what would happen if a kid said "under Allah" or "under Jah"?

Actually, I already know.

What happens? I'm serious.

[Melmart1]

Wouldn't the only ones who would have serious issue with be atheists?

Not all religions believe in God. Most have a Higher Being or deity of some sort, but it is not always God. This country as we know it today was founded in part because of the desire for freedom from one religion, and yet here we are today trying to force one version of a religious deity on people.

[Spurminator]

I can see where this is headed and I want to say that I don't think this is as great an attack on religious freedom as many opponents will make it out to be... but that's not an argument in favor of a government-coerced oath of loyalty. Our litmus for new legislation should be "How does this make a positive impact?"... not "Is it really that big of a deal?"

This kind of crap bugs the out of me because all it serves to do is provoke. It doesn't help the cause of Christianity or of Patriotism. It's just another topic to feed the destructive partisan talk radio/tv machine.

[angel_luv]

Not all religions believe in God. Most have a Higher Being or deity of some sort, but it is not always God. This country as we know it today was founded in part because of the desire for freedom from one religion, and yet here we are today trying to force one version of a religious deity on people.

I would not participate in pledging to Allah because I do not believe in him, so I understand and appreciate your distate for the current pledge of allegience.
I didn't think it through in my previous post.

[atxrocker]

what complete bull .

[Dro210]

I remember doin the pledges in middle school.... like somebody else said, you don't think about it, you just stand up and listen to 'em say that , cause you could really careless as a 12 year old at 8 in the morning, or at anytime or any age for that matter....

I was tryin to think about if we did it in high school tho... and I think we did.... I just don't remember, cause I never made it on time.... I pledged alligeince to the blunt in my hand on the drive or ride to school every morning that made me about 15 minutes late everyday.... lmao

[xrayzebra]

Editor's note: sadly, Red Skelton was prescient - the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (the most overturned court in the United States of America) has done exactly that.

Courtesy of YouTube.com, here is a video clip of Red Skelton reciting the Pledge of Allegiance:

[ObiwanGinobili]

Wouldn't the only ones who would have serious issue with be atheists?

Not true. I have an objection to it and I am not an athiest.
My loyalty and alliegiance are due only to God and His kingdom.
under His direction I gladly pay ceasers things to ceaser - but on this I must pay God's thing (my allgience) to God.

just becasue the Texas legislature sticks the phrase 'under god' in there doesn't make this god's government. unless I missed that passage inteh holy scriptures.

FTR- even with out the phrase 'under god' I still decline. I would never utter a pledge of lyaoty or allegiance to any nation or national group.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I wonder what would happen if a kid said "under Allah" or "under Jah"?

Actually, I already know.

deopending on what area of Texas that may happen in.... I wouldn;t want to know.

[BeerIsGood!]

You don't have to. You pay taxes... that's says "allegiance" more than any pledge.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Reading that would indicate it is compulsory, unless you have a note from your parents.

I wonder how inforced that is currently. Hmmm..

I went to school in a differnet state, and obviously before 2003
BUT, at the time - yes everyone stood and said the pledge and then they would sing a song (ameerica the beautiful or something).
I stood respectfully but silently, and there was never an issue about it. I had to explain myself to a sus ute once or twice, but no punitive action (which woulda've been a violation of my civil rights anyway).

[1369]

Not true. I have an objection to it and I am not an athiest.
My loyalty and alliegiance are due only to God and His kingdom.
under His direction I gladly pay ceasers things to ceaser - but on this I must pay God's thing (my allgience) to God.

just becasue the Texas legislature sticks the phrase 'under god' in there doesn't make this god's government. unless I missed that passage inteh holy scriptures.

FTR- even with out the phrase 'under god' I still decline. I would never utter a pledge of lyaoty or allegiance to any nation or national group.

Obi, was that stance (I don't want to say "mandated"), "taught/instructed" to you by your church (I can't remember if you're Mormon or JW so forgive me)?

Reason I ask is that I remember that when I was in elementary school (Back when rocks were soft and dinosaurs roamed), there were a few cases of kids refusing to say the pledge and most, if not all, were of the same faith.

[E20]

I said a POA in elementary school, I didn't really ing care what I was saying, because I didn't care, I was too buzy trying to hide my boner because of the girl sitting next to me.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Obi, was that stance (I don't want to say "mandated"), "taught/instructed" to you by your church (I can't remember if you're Mormon or JW so forgive me)?

Reason I ask is that I remember that when I was in elementary school (Back when rocks were soft and dinosaurs roamed), there were a few cases of kids refusing to say the pledge and most, if not all, were of the same faith.

yes, I am a JW, and most likely those children where to.
It's a stance that, as anything, is voluntary but a JW that doesn't have a strictly nuetral political stance is hard to find.
We refuse compulsory military service, don;t vote, join political parties, or pledge our alligiance to anything or aanyone other than God.

[ObiwanGinobili]

and 1369 - ehy do you keep insinuating you're older than dirt?
your not as old as Jim ya know

[Phenomanul]

Religion should never be imposed on anyone.... it is a counterproductive course of action.

True spirituallity is attained as the inner yearnings of our soul come to the realization that we need GOD.

[ploto]

My loyalty and alliegiance are due only to God and His kingdom.
under His direction I gladly pay ceasers things to ceaser - but on this I must pay God's thing (my allgience) to God.

No offense- but aren't you the woman with the half naked picture?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

No offense- but aren't you the woman with the half naked picture?

Oh, this thread's about to take an interesting turn.

[1369]

and 1369 - ehy do you keep insinuating you're older than dirt?
your not as old as Jim ya know

I know Jim's ears are still ringing from the Big Bang, but he's more the exception rather than the rule.