(I don't know why I'm brining this up now. But I've thought alot about it and this is what I believe.)
"I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands: one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all."
As a child I recited this sentence every day before class, never truly understanding the purpose or meaning behind something so excessively and mindlessly repeated. The phrase "under God" is often brought up as a source of controversy and called unconstitutional. While I haven't exactly decided my position on such a view, I believe something else. The Pledge of Allegiance itself is hurtful at least and unconstitutional at most. Before you grab your pitchfork and seek out my front door, hear me out. America is founded on principles of equality and freedom. Why should young school children be encouraged to recite a pledge about a country they don't even know if they believe in yet. Call me unpatriotic, but I believe the most unpatriotic thing we can do is try to force someone to think a certain way. If America's ideals are worth it, they will stand the test of time without the help of a mind numbing pledge. Instead we should encourage children to think for themselves. Question established priniciples of government. Research the alternatives to a democracy. Learn how America really works. Only then will we truly be able to appreciate what we have. Only then can we truly love our country. Only then will America be filled with patriots.
For this reason, while you stand, placing your hand on your heart and uttering a sentence you have probably thought little about. I will stand. Hands at my side, mouth shut, in reverance of the flag and the country it stands for. But refusing to pledge allegiance to something other than my Savior himself.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
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3 comments:
Having lived in the UK for all of my life, I've never had to pledge alliegance at all, ever.
In fact, the whole concept is weird&I completely agree with you.
Hmmmm... I think I agree in part and disagree in part. The part about pledging allegiance to the savior makes the most sense, and he has always wanted it voluntarily from the heart. But the rest of it is probably a bit more complex than all of that. We learn a lot of things as children framework or basics first and then meaning later. Some people feel the same way about the gospel.. children don't understand it, so avoid it until they are older. But the avoidance itself sometimes is a teacher as well, and not always what we want to teach. I don't think that necessarily means we should recite the pledge of allegiance, only that it isn't as simple as it sometimes seems.
As for teaching the principles and meaning -- that should happen more often than it sometimes does.
melanie, thanks for your comment. but I'm NOT saying that we shouldn't teach kids this stuff.
But this is a PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE. It just seems so elementary to me, I don't think I can adequately put it into words. A pledge is something that should be taken seriously and only said when understood. By having kids recite it daily, it takes away from the seriousness of the pledge/commitment. Does that make sense?
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