The Pledge of Allegiance

I honestly dont get it. Why do we make our kids say the pledge?

Do they really believe that if a child says the pledge everyday they will never do anything to hurt their country? Im pretty sure Timothy McVeigh said the pledge during his childhood.

It also bothers me that "Under God" is in the pledeg, especially since it was only added during the red scare of communism and McCarthyism. We are not a nation under God, we are a nation of religious freedom. Putting under God in the pledge completely undermines that in my opinion.

So enlighten me, why do you think we are forced to say te pledge as kids, and even in government as adults? Do you think its good, or just silly? What do you think about "Under God"?

"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."
Information on when "Under God" was added: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance#Addition_of_the_words_.22under_God.22

Saying the pledge is an option nowadays. Has been for a while actually...

I think that the purpose of it is to be a reminder of the strife this country has been through and that no matter what, be it communism or 9/11 we are a united nation thats indivisible... With liberty and justice for all... As for under God I don't have a problem with it bc of the fact that I am christian anyway, so its not offensive to me...

they made us say it in elementry school, and in high school they could only say it if it is lead by a student.
i never said it though, i never wanted to, and got in trouble for it alot. oh well.

Quoting CatLuvr83:“ Saying the pledge is an option nowadays. Has been for a while actually...”

You are right, sory. I guess I shouldnt have said FORCED.

But most kids DO recite it. It is part of the opening of school and all government related business.

so if you dont say, kids feel ackward or left out. Also, if people think you dont say the pledge, you get touted as unpatriotic and it is said you dont love your country (like people tried to say about Obama)

I smile now when I see your posts.. lil shit disturber, lol.

But seriously, the "Under God" doesn't make sense to me either since we're a supposedly "free country" - I think it should be changed and then I'd have no problem with making the kids say the pledge.. I had to, they should be bothered with the same annoyance each morning too! lol..

I will explain to my children the meaning of the pledge, in terms appropriate for the age. But I will also tell them even if their school tells them they "have" to say it that they do not. I don't believe they understand what it truly means and forcing them to say it everyday is silly to me. And I do agree that adding "under god" does undermine the seperation of church and state, and forcing non-christian children (and young children in general) to repeat it makes absolutely no sense.

I thought they took out the "under god" part awhile back.. because so many people were making a stink about it..

Well my kids have been saying and knowing it since they were 3. I don't have a problem with it.
*edited* They do go to a christian pre-school.

Quoting CatLuvr83:“ Saying the pledge is an option nowadays. Has been for a while actually...”

In all states?

It wasn't in my schools. Idk if they were allowed to do that but we would get in trouble if we didn't stand and recite it everyday.

We are one nation under god. He created the earth and we are litterly under him on this earth!

Quoting Blissful Mama:“ I thought they took out the "under god" part awhile back.. because so many people were making a stink about it..”

i thought that also.

Quoting ms.luker:“ We are one nation under god. He created the earth and we are litterly under him on this earth!”

what if you don't believe in god......

Quoting ms.luker:“ We are one nation under god. He created the earth and we are litterly under him on this earth!”

Ohhh, right, I forgot how everyone believes that. In that case I retract my statement.

Quoting Blissful Mama:“ I thought they took out the "under god" part awhile back.. because so many people were making a stink about it..”

Oh yes, they did. While I was still in high school actually.... so like 3-4 years ago I think.