The Pledge of Allegiance

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Out of interest, why do Americans have a "Pledge of Allegiance"?  I saw this story, on Rotten Dot Com, and it seems to me that it is rather Draconian to force students to pledge allegicance to the state, rather than to God directly, if at all.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/13479270.htm


Its a serious question.



A.


P.S Nazi Germany had pledges in schools as well, although the two aren't directly comparable.

[beefhole]

It's an American thing

I personally loath those who refuse to recite it.  Is it disagreeable and most likely even unconstitutional? Yes.  Is it an EXTREMELY petty fight to pick? Yes.  Who gives a rats ass?  Just stand up and recite it, who cares!  There's more important fights to pick. (not trying to start an argument here, the supreme court agrees it is unconstitutional as a school-sanctioned activity-students may still choose to participate)

It would be interesting to know the history behind it though-I believe I know when the pledge was written, but I'm not sure how it got to us saying it every day in homeroom.

[afi0yz]

acctually we dont HAVE TO say it, its not nazied on to us

and because of seperation of church and state we cant pledge allegiance to God or any religious things for that matter (except when i went to a Christian school for a year).

Honestly I dont think i've said the pledge in 6 months at least, not because Im not patriotic or anything, its because im just never at school at that time we say it.

and my school does the pledge like once a week anyway

ps: I knew someone was going to respond while i was typing this

[H]

There are those who refuse to pledge to the flag for religious reasons. Flt.Lt.Andrew's contention seems to be that "God" and the "U.S." are one and the same ...tread carefully.

[afi0yz]

Flt.Lt.Andrew's contention seems to be that "God" and the "U.S." are one and the same

ha lol, damn you've uncovered our national secret

but seriously, never take American press too seriously, our journalist are either too conservitive , or too liberal.
Your best bet is to read 2 sides to the story and  come up with YOUR OWN conclusions.  Thats how I do it

[ozzy72]

I think Andrew you'll find the reason is historical as the majority of Americans were immigrants (American Indians of course not counting according to the white settlers) and to cut ties with "the old country" they pledged themselves to the new one

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Ah ha, so its more of a "you belong to us now" thing?

Thanks for remaining calm gus, just trying to work out what/why/where/how kind of thing.



A.

[Hagar]

Just to add my two penn'orth. When I was at school we had to stand to attention when the National Anthem was played during morning assembly & before going to our classrooms for lessons. We also sang hymns & said prayers although some of us did not believe in the god we were praying to. It was symbolic & I don't know anyone who objected. Playing the National Anthem "God Save the Queen" was also compulsory after any public event although some people went to great pains to sneak out before the end to avoid showing their respect for less than a minute of their valuable time. Is that so different to the Pledge of Allegiance? I don't think so & I also think it's a pity they did away with it. If anyone wishes to become a nationalised citizen of any country I feel the least they can do is to pledge allegiance to it.

[flyboy 28]

Beef is right. It's an American thing. Just like Fosters is an Australian thing.

Oh, and by the way, the "under God" part was instituted in the 30's I believe. Not sure why.

[Jakemaster]

I find people who refuse to recite it annoying.  Big deal, it says god.  If you dont want to say god, dont say it.  You can always say I plege allegience, to the flag, of the USA, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, ***** ***, indivisible, etc....

Now, at our school the make us say the Texas Pledge, which is a lie!  I pledge allegience to thee, Texas, one and individible.  BS!  Texas has the constitutional right to split into six seperate states!  (incase you didnt know, texas was its own country before a state)

[BFMF]

Texas has it's own pledge? I didn't know that.

[Felix/FFDS]

Texas has it's own pledge? I didn't know that.

A hint to Texas Mentality:

Texas did not become a State of the United States...  Texas added the United States to the Republic of Texas, and merely lets the rest of the Nation believe otherwise.

[Saitek]

From the Texans I know - that's a perfect and very fitting summary.

[Katahu]

Back when I was in high school, the students have to stand up, but that was the only minimum requirement when the Pledge is announced over the PA.

Me, I recite it with my hand over my heart anyways [while being looked at all weird] anyways. Besides, I was an immigrant back then [still am today] trying to learn English and I had to learn it because it's required to recite it for aquiring the American citizenship.

Besides, even if the schools ban the use of the pledge, I will still recite it, because it's tradition. And some traditions are made to be perminent.

[BFMF]

[quote]A hint to Texas Mentality:

Texas did not become a State of the United States...