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I had no idea there was a pledge for Texas. There wasn't when I was growing up.
http://chron.com//disp/story.mpl/front/5020241.html
Students must remember 'God' in Texas pledge
By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Texas students will have four more words to remember when they head back to class this month and begin reciting the state's pledge of allegiance.
This year's Legislature added the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge, which is part of a required morning ritual in Texas public schools along with the pledge to the U.S. flag and a moment of silence.
State Rep. Debbie Riddle, who sponsored the bill, said it had always bothered her that God was omitted in the state's pledge.
"Personally, I felt like the Texas pledge had a big old hole in it, and it occurred to me, 'You know what? We need to fix that,' " said Riddle, R-Tomball. "Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under God, we are one state under God as well."
By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating.
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. "Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious."
The revised wording in the Texas pledge took effect on June 15, and the Texas Education Agency sent an e-mail reminding school districts about the change earlier this week.
Officials with Houston-area districts say they will notify schools and parents about the new requirement.
Rebecca Suarez, spokeswoman for the Houston Independent School District, said a letter about the change will be sent home to parents when their children return to school. And a flier with the pledge's revised wording will be sent to each campus before classes start.
Texas has had a pledge of allegiance since 1933. In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.
Texas isn't the only state that has its own pledge of allegiance. Other states include Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky.
Mississippi and Louisiana mention God in their pledges. And Kentucky lays claim to being blessed with "grace from on High."
I had no idea there was a pledge for Texas. There wasn't when I was growing up.
"This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious."
Amen.
I don't remember ever saying the Texas pledge after 2nd Grade or so. Is it really required in all public schools?
Seriously, how the can someone be punished for NOT saying something? If I was in school right now, I'd just not say the damn thing
Me neither. What an embarassment.
this is such crap. I'm a Christ follower, don't get me wrong, but making people say this? it's crap. I hate saying the pledges every morning, it's a waste of time.
we used to say the pledges ONCE A WEEK but after 9/11, we say them everyday. so let's see, I'm about to be a junior in high school so it's been like 6 years that this has been going on.
I used to say the pledge but I dont remember doing it past like... 1st grade.
The fact that the words "under God" were added during the cold war just doesn't sit right with me.
The fact that the words "under God" were added during the cold war just doesn't sit right with me.
Would've been better in the 1700s?
Might of been just as bad but we weren't calling anybody Godless back in the 1700s. Which is what McCarthy era made the communist (mostly the Russians) out to be. So add "Under God" to the pledge (1954), and make "In God We Trust" the national motto (1956) so everyone knows we aren't like the Commies. At least the Christian founding fathers would of done it because they thought it had a nice ring to it. Though I'm sure forcing anyone to say anything seems to be against all of the ideals laid out by the Cons utional Congres anyways.
Would have been better never.
Godbless free will!
What happened to your Christianity kick? Just a passing fad with you? Unless this isn't the same Zak.
God Bless Texas!!!!
only God knows...
A pledge of allegiance to the state of Texas?That's funny.
Pledges aren't compulsory.
I never said a single pledge of alliegiance to a any flag, ever.
Reading that would indicate it is compulsory, unless you have a note from your parents.By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating.
I never said a single pledge of alliegiance to a any flag, ever.In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.
I'm glad I finished school in 1996.
Pledges of Alligence and the sort give me very vivid images of Nazis with raised arm shouting "Heil Hitler" or "Seig Heil"
I'm actually old enough to have had mandatory PoA in elementary school.
It was a meaningless exercise for me and probably 99% of the kids. I never put any thought into what the words meant.
What's scary is what is says about the mindset of the adults who require it.
I missed that part too... Reading about things like this takes my IQ down a few notches, and apparently my reading comprehension with it.In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.
The legislature needs to make treason against Texas a criminal act. Also, it needs more laws to deal with spying and espionage by other states.
You mean like, guys who leave the state to play for OU?
You mean like, guys who leave the state to coach U of K?Also, it needs more laws to deal with spying and espionage by other states.
I said the Pledge of Allegiance growing up and I think it is a good thing but I don't think it should be forced on anyone though.
I get ticked off when I see how disrespectful so many are during the playing of the National Anthem.
But that is another matter.
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.
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