Should a Teacher be required to Say the pledge

[Anonymous]

Should a Teacher be required to Say the pledge ? MY DS Teacher stands up for the pledge but doesn't say it. Should He? Should I email him and ask why he doesn't stand up and say it loudly?

[Anonymous]

Not everyone in a free, democratic is interested in starting off their day with a loyalty oath. I wouldn't have a problem with the teacher's choice.

[Anonymous]

OMG OP. Even under Trump, certain rights still exist.

[Anonymous]

Of course not required!

[Anonymous]

No one Is required to say the pledge. As I don't want to live in a totalitarian state, I'm happy to keep it that way. Also, see Constitution and the Supreme Court.
No, you should not email the teacher to ask why he or she isn't falling in line with your narrow definition of public patriotism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should a Teacher be required to Say the pledge ? MY DS Teacher stands up for the pledge but doesn't say it. Should He? Should I email him and ask why he doesn't stand up and say it loudly?

He does stand up for it. He's just choosing not to say it. I have no problem with this at ALL.

[Anonymous]

No, of course he doesn't. And why do you feel it's important that he does?

[Anonymous]

This is what is so frightening about the state of our country now. Here I feel like we have enough diversity of opinion to at least keep this fascist thinking somewhat in check but I cannot imagine being deep in the orange-man country where people like OP feel that the constitution should just be ignore and mob-rule dictate

[Anonymous]

If the children are required to say it, the teacher should say it as well. That's just basic respect. This idea that "I don't have to follow rules if I don't agree with them" is infecting our culture. My family members served in the military. They didn't agree with many of the rules, but you can't have everyone making it up as they go along. Following rules is what makes us civilized. The teacher is entitled to free speech, but not at school where the rules require saying the pledge, unless you've taken a (real) religious exemption.

[Anonymous]

He should stand out of respect. I don't think he should be forced to recite the pledge. However, I am really glad my children went to schools where this was never an issue. I'm about as liberal as you'll find and don't think anyone should be forced to recite the pledge, but I have zero respect for those who make that choice. In other words, I'm glad you have the choice, but I don't want my kids around you if you choose it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the children are required to say it, the teacher should say it as well. That's just basic respect.

Children do not have to say it. They do not even have to stand for it. The rule is that they must be respectful of those around them and not disrupt those who are saying it.

[Anonymous]

It is his right and he may have a very good reason. I knew a teacher like that who didn't say it because she was better able to listen to her students saying it when she didn't say it herself. If someone said something odd, used an incorrect word or phrase, she would note it and speak to the student privately later to make sure (s)he knew what the words actually were. She also did not comment on students who didn't say it themselves for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone in a free, democratic is interested in starting off their day with a loyalty oath. I wouldn't have a problem with the teacher's choice.[/quote

+1 And, I'd be more than happy with the teacher explaining why he doesn't say the pledge and reminding students that they are not required to participate in any way.

See: "If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. . .We think the actions of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control."
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the children are required to say it, the teacher should say it as well. That's just basic respect. This idea that "I don't have to follow rules if I don't agree with them" is infecting our culture. My family members served in the military. They didn't agree with many of the rules, but you can't have everyone making it up as they go along. Following rules is what makes us civilized. The teacher is entitled to free speech, but not at school where the rules require saying the pledge, unless you've taken a (real) religious exemption.

ITA. I don't think that the Pledge of Allegiance is even religious. If someone doesn't want to say "under God" then they don't have to say those two words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the children are required to say it, the teacher should say it as well. That's just basic respect. This idea that "I don't have to follow rules if I don't agree with them" is infecting our culture. My family members served in the military. They didn't agree with many of the rules, but you can't have everyone making it up as they go along. Following rules is what makes us civilized. The teacher is entitled to free speech, but not at school where the rules require saying the pledge, unless you've taken a (real) religious exemption.

ITA. I don't think that the Pledge of Allegiance is even religious. If someone doesn't want to say "under God" then they don't have to say those two words.

The Supreme Court disagrees with you. The Court ruled in 1943, if you have studied US history you may remember that that is the middle of WWII, that students cannot be compelled to participate in the pledge. "This idea that 'I don't have to follow rules if I don't agree with them'" is a fundamental piece of our Constitution. I'd urge you to revisit that document, with particular attention to the Bill of Rights.