pledge of allegiance in schools?

[Anonymous]

My DC is starting preschool this fall and I just learned that her class will be reciting the pledge of allegiance each morning. Now, I don't mind so much the pledge of allegiance in general - what bothers me is the "under God" line that's part of it. It doesn't bother me enough to make a big stink or say or do anything about it, but I certainly would prefer that the class did not saying the pledge of allegiance (actually, what I'd really like is to have no religious references in the pledge of allegiance)....anyway, my question is, is this (i.e., reciting the pledge in schools) standard? What about in public schools? Do the kids have to say the pledge there?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is standard. It can be any God, doesn't have to a Christian God.

I'm pretty sure it has already gone to the Supreme Court so there's not much point in objecting unless you want to file a lawsuit.

I'm also sure there's a lawyer on here who can give us the scoop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is starting preschool this fall and I just learned that her class will be reciting the pledge of allegiance each morning. Now, I don't mind so much the pledge of allegiance in general - what bothers me is the "under God" line that's part of it. It doesn't bother me enough to make a big stink or say or do anything about it, but I certainly would prefer that the class did not saying the pledge of allegiance (actually, what I'd really like is to have no religious references in the pledge of allegiance)....anyway, my question is, is this (i.e., reciting the pledge in schools) standard? What about in public schools? Do the kids have to say the pledge there?

Is your DC in a church-affiliated program?

My DC is also in a preschool, and they don't have anything like that there. Sounds like a overkill, if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is standard. It can be any God, doesn't have to a Christian God.

I'm pretty sure it has already gone to the Supreme Court so there's not much point in objecting unless you want to file a lawsuit.

I'm also sure there's a lawyer on here who can give us the scoop.

Thanks. No, I don't intend to object (outside of my living room, that is). But it doesn't feel right to have God referenced in the pledge, because not everyone in this country believes in a god (christian god or otherwise).

[Anonymous]

OP, you might find this interesting:

http://restorethepledge.org/MyCreatorITrust.html

I didn't realize the words Under God were added during the '50's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is standard. It can be any God, doesn't have to a Christian God.

I'm pretty sure it has already gone to the Supreme Court so there's not much point in objecting unless you want to file a lawsuit.

I'm also sure there's a lawyer on here who can give us the scoop.

Thanks. No, I don't intend to object (outside of my living room, that is). But it doesn't feel right to have God referenced in the pledge, because not everyone in this country believes in a god (christian god or otherwise).

I hear you, OP. I get what you're saying and agree. Realize that "under god" was not in the original pledge . . . but whatever.
I think it is standard; my DD knows it by heart from her preschool. I just ignore it and we address the issue/role of "god" in other ways. Most specifically, just because other people believe XX doesn't mean 1) it's true or 2) that we believe the same.

[Anonymous]

When my kids have raised the issue I have told them that just like when they're somewhere and people are praying to Jesus they are to be respectful while the others do that, they are to stand quietly while others are paying their respects to this country. They don't have to say it too and I've gone to the mat with a few teachers over the issue, but they do have to be respectful.

[Anonymous]

I am not very religious...and I absolutely love the pledge of allegiance ...I got very emotional when my Kindergartner did it last year. It brought back so many great school memories.

I am a traditionalist about this and feel it should be chanted the way it was intended. If it helps...I know some little kids that say "under Dog" ...maybe you could teach your kid to recite it this way.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 13:22 - just get your kids to say something else or stay silent for "under god." When I find myself in a situation where the pledge of allegiance is being said, I just don't say that part.

[Anonymous]

Va public schools recite it. Makes me uncomfortable, too.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't bother me either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is standard. It can be any God, doesn't have to a Christian God.

I'm pretty sure it has already gone to the Supreme Court so there's not much point in objecting unless you want to file a lawsuit.

I'm also sure there's a lawyer on here who can give us the scoop.

Thanks. No, I don't intend to object (outside of my living room, that is). But it doesn't feel right to have God referenced in the pledge, because not everyone in this country believes in a god (christian god or otherwise).

I hear you, OP. I get what you're saying and agree. Realize that "under god" was not in the original pledge . . . but whatever.
I think it is standard; my DD knows it by heart from her preschool. I just ignore it and we address the issue/role of "god" in other ways. Most specifically, just because other people believe XX doesn't mean 1) it's true or 2) that we believe the same.

This is where I am too. When I'm in the school when it's time to pledge, I mouth the under god part. DD and I have discussed religion, and that everybody doesn't believe the same. But I sure wish there was no assumption that you have to believe something at all and religion was on private time when you're in a public institution.

[Anonymous]

I find it funny to pledge allegiance to anything. Never mind the God issue. Haven't even gotten that far.

[Anonymous]

Go to another preschool if it bothers you so much.

[Anonymous]

My daughter says it in Kindergarten. I said it in grade school and grew up liberal/agnostic. Why make a big deal?