To Pledge or Not to Pledge

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The Pledge of Allegiance has been routinely said in classrooms since the 1800s. Many youngsters mumble it out of habit, but students at Woodbury Elementary in Vermont are well aware of the words they are stating. The school has banned the practice of the pledge in the classroom so students who wish to partake in the morning routine do so in the gym and then return to their studies.

This arrangement has some parents up in arms, as they don't feel their offspring should have to say "one nation under God" in a private setting. What do you think — is this a practical solution for families on both sides of the issue?

SchoolEducationElementaryPledge Of AllegianceChurch And State

21 Comments

aka Daria aka Daria
why do we have to say it in schools anyways? i never liked saying it. in high school we were all forced to do it in a class. i would always just stand there with my newspaper while everyone else mumbled half-assly the pledge.
foxie foxie
It sounds outrageous on paper, on video, out loud, in practice, and in every other way. I get it that some kids don't want to say it. I get it that some parents don't want their kids saying it. I get it that in some rare cases, kids may be bullied by others in to saying it. But let's fix THAT problem. Let's not turn the tables and bully the majority and banish them to a private area to recite a simple. effing. pledge. I mean, this is so stupid I almost want to rip out my hair. This is NOT NOT NOT about being sensitive to the minority. This is about pissing off the majority and stirring the pot. It's an unreasonable "solution" to a petty problem. You're not going to be scarred for life for hearing the words "under God." GASP. Know what WILL scar a kid for life? Teaching them that the world should bend and bow before them. Get over it!
foxie foxie
It sounds outrageous on paper, on video, out loud, in practice, and in every other way. I get it that some kids don't want to say it. I get it that some parents don't want their kids saying it. I get it that in some rare cases, kids may be bullied by others in to saying it. But let's fix THAT problem. Let's not turn the tables and bully the majority and banish them to a private area to recite a simple. effing. pledge. I mean, this is so stupid I almost want to rip out my hair. This is NOT NOT NOT about being sensitive to the minority. This is about pissing off the majority and stirring the pot. It's an unreasonable "solution" to a petty problem. You're not going to be scarred for life for hearing the words "under God." GASP. Know what WILL scar a kid for life? Teaching them that the world should bend and bow before them. Get over it!
Jessiebanana Jessiebanana
The 'one nation under god' wasn't there originally, can we just take it back out and call it a day.His original Pledge read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. [ * 'to' added in October, 1892. ]I personally didn't want to say it in elementary school, I was agnostic back then too, and my mom who is spiritual stood up for me when the Principal tried to bully me into submission. I think the reason they are having it said privately is to avoid intimidation by teachers and classmates, especially cause kids are so young. On paper it sounds outrageous, but in practice I can see its importance.
Jessiebanana Jessiebanana
The 'one nation under god' wasn't there originally, can we just take it back out and call it a day. His original Pledge read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. [ * 'to' added in October, 1892. ] I personally didn't want to say it in elementary school, I was agnostic back then too, and my mom who is spiritual stood up for me when the Principal tried to bully me into submission. I think the reason they are having it said privately is to avoid intimidation by teachers and classmates, especially cause kids are so young. On paper it sounds outrageous, but in practice I can see its importance.
psterling psterling
when I was in school my athiest friend just omitted the "under God" part. No biggie, no drama.
facin8me facin8me
I don't think we should rely on a Fox News clip for unbiased information about a story. It seems that in this particular situation, the Pledge had already fallen by the wayside. Some parents tried to reinstate it, but because it was already the tradition to not say it, they decided to make it optional. This isn't about forcing kids to say "under God" in private. http://burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20081115/NEWS/81114036
facin8me facin8me
I don't think we should rely on a Fox News clip for unbiased information about a story. It seems that in this particular situation, the Pledge had already fallen by the wayside. Some parents tried to reinstate it, but because it was already the tradition to not say it, they decided to make it optional. This isn't about forcing kids to say "under God" in private. http://burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20081115/NEWS/81114036
macgirl macgirl
I really don't mind the pledge but I agree times are a changing and it isn't relative to everyone. Not everyone believes in God.
foxie foxie
Maybe if you don't want to hear the pledge, YOU should leave the classroom.
rosynose rosynose
Oh for god's sake. Either say it or don't say it and leave it alone.
rosynose rosynose
Oh for god's sake. Either say it or don't say it and leave it alone.
prestopink prestopink
I agree completely with meandtheo, in this day and age, there are sooo many denominations and beliefs out there, you dont know who you are offending and how, the pledge is an all-inclusive offense to many different belief systems, not only just for the term "god" but the whole idea of pledging ones self to an "object" or "nation" is very offensive to many! The solution, I have to give credit to the school, is innovative towards taking steps to rectify the situation, but unfortunately like historical events, our country is steadily changing and morphing and many different people are bringing us new beliefs and ways, that is the beauty of america in 2008, however alot of people are not ready for those changes, and our country has not formally began to address them as a whole. I believe alot is going to have to be changed, and it will keep doing so. As long as there is a new genre of people the you have to cater to and become "P.C." towards, we will always have to change some kind of ritual/tradition here.
prestopink prestopink
I agree completely with meandtheo, in this day and age, there are sooo many denominations and beliefs out there, you dont know who you are offending and how, the pledge is an all-inclusive offense to many different belief systems, not only just for the term "god" but the whole idea of pledging ones self to an "object" or "nation" is very offensive to many! The solution, I have to give credit to the school, is innovative towards taking steps to rectify the situation, but unfortunately like historical events, our country is steadily changing and morphing and many different people are bringing us new beliefs and ways, that is the beauty of america in 2008, however alot of people are not ready for those changes, and our country has not formally began to address them as a whole. I believe alot is going to have to be changed, and it will keep doing so. As long as there is a new genre of people the you have to cater to and become "P.C." towards, we will always have to change some kind of ritual/tradition here.
meandtheo meandtheo
argh, this is driving me crazy. really!? of course children should not be forced to say the pledge of allegiance. we live in a time where we no longer call the holiday season only christmas, we have "holiday" parties at school and a lot of schools no longer celebrate halloween...why are people clinging to the pledge of alleiance?
meandtheo meandtheo
argh, this is driving me crazy. really!? of course children should not be forced to say the pledge of allegiance. we live in a time where we no longer call the holiday season only christmas, we have "holiday" parties at school and a lot of schools no longer celebrate halloween... why are people clinging to the pledge of alleiance?
foxie foxie
I mean, if you're honestly THAT sensitive, how do deal with day to day life? How do you not just drive yourself completely insane and end up burrowing in your house all day every day?The fact is, this isn't about genuine sensitivity, it's about attention and attacking the majority. It's stupid. These people are making themselves look like huge idiots.
foxie foxie
I mean, if you're honestly THAT sensitive, how do deal with day to day life? How do you not just drive yourself completely insane and end up burrowing in your house all day every day? The fact is, this isn't about genuine sensitivity, it's about attention and attacking the majority. It's stupid. These people are making themselves look like huge idiots.
foxie foxie
Now they don't have to HEAR "Under God" either? How far will this go? I mean, honestly, this is completely asinine.
Greggie Greggie
They can't force you to say it here, especially with a high Jehovah's Witness population. The class does say it, but those who choose not to must sit quietly. And a kid can't just decide not to, the parents inform the school if they don't want their child saying it.
rosynose rosynose
No, this is not a practical solution. It's completely ridiculous.
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