The ‘under God’ part for many years allowed me to endure it (since the USA is under the authority of God, this pledge is admittedly submissive to God, thus I am free of any obligations in the pledge). I have never seen the under God part as God’s support of this nation, but only ever God’s sovereignty over of this nation and this nation having to admit that truth and allow the people freedom not to obey such a pledge.
Later on I took it further, as the pledge is meaningless (with or without under God), say it or not, stand or sit, pay the temple tax even thought the sons are exempt, just a attempt of this nation of deception, and God is sovereign and that’s all that counts. Do what you feel will help advance the goal of Love (God is Love)
For that matter, I can count on my fingers the number of times since I left high school that I’ve been asked to stand for the national anthem, and most of them have been at pro wrestling shows. I always stand with my hand over my heart for that one (including the time I saw Journey live and Neal Schon saw fit to play the anthem on solo guitar to a Hendrix-esque degree of mastery).
Is this still commonly done in schools? I started first grade in 1971 and all thru elementary school (1-5) we would all stand, put our hand on our heart, and recite the pledge every morning. I think in 2[sup]nd[/sup] grade we actually sang *My Country Tis of Thee *after it, but this was just our teacher’s thing. I actually went to a private Catholic school for just first grade (absolutely hated it) so at first when I switched to a public school I found the singing a little odd (I don’t remember if we did the pledge at St. Mary’s, probably, with a prayer as well). By middle school (6[sup]th[/sup] grade) the pledge was recited over the classrooms PA system, but I can’t remember if we still stood up or not, maybe. But nobody bothered reciting it, and by high school nobody even stood up anymore.
It was absolutely done in my elementary school in late '80s/early /90s. In 2nd grade, they sprung “My Country 'Tis of Thee” on us as well. I didn’t know the lyrics but most of my classmates seemed to. I got scolded once for sitting down after the pledge because I didn’t realize the song was coming.
I don’t recall it being used at all when I was in junior high. In high school, I did Navy JROTC and we’d recite it at the beginning of the period, and it was also recited over the PA at the beginning of 2nd period for which we were expected to rise (though few people bothered reciting along.)
The last time I can recall reciting it aloud myself, in a company of others doing the same, was on a certain Tuesday morning in September in my senior year.
I work in an elementary school, non-classroom staff, and I specifically avoid being around students during the pledge every morning because I do not stand up or recite it and don’t want to be questioned as to why. If I’m unavoidably in a public setting, I will stand up with the herd, but I won’t put my hand on my heart or recite it. The whole routine feels vaguely creepy and fascist.
I know the SDMB is not an accurate cross section of U.S. attitudes, but I wonder if anyone still thinks the Pledge of Allegiance is a good idea? Are there really people out there that think “every school child should pledge allegiance to our flag and nation every morning at the start of the school day because…[insert non crazy reason here if you can]?”
There is a lot to admire about the good ole USA, but I don’t see any rational reason to pledge our allegiance on a regular basis.
Yes, I do. I taught for many years, and I always started the day with, “Stand up for the Pledge.”
Not only that, but I stand for the Star Spangled Banner. I don’t always stand at attention, though. For example, I was at Subway a couple of days ago and for some reason they played it. It wasn’t before a ball game, it was just sung randomly in the middle of their music. I was waiting for my daughter to arrive, so I stood and went over to the window. It may seem silly, but I couldn’t sit during it even if everyone else did, but I didn’t stand, put my hand over my heart, and sing.
I’m a substitute teacher, and thus still occasionally encounter it. Only occasionally: Not all districts say it, or if they do, it’s over the computerized morning announcements that I usually can’t get to work.
I always stand for it, but that doesn’t mean anything, as I’m standing pretty much all day when I’m with kids. And I also put my hand over my heart, which does mean something. But I say the original version, leaving out the blatantly unconstitutional part. I’ve never been questioned as to why, which probably means most students don’t notice the omission.
Exactly this. (I confess to the degree of cowardice that leads me to mumble, pretending as if I’m saying it. I do not have the courage to clap my mouth tight, to remain seated, to face the other way, etc. I wish I did.)
ETA: I do not put my hand over my heart. Absolutely effing no way. I’m not a goddamn ancient Roman.
I lived in the USA for a few years and I don’t ever recall being around when the PoA was recited. However, I’d think that for a foreigner, it would be polite to stand respectfully and remain silent.
I think the PoA is ridiculous, but while I might do something like refuse to stand for the British national anthem, I wouldn’t feel it my place to protest against American rituals.
I truly, honestly, cannot understand why anybody who likes living in this country would have any objection whatsoever to saying it. That includes religious objections, too. If you don’t like the Pledge, then why are you living here?
It is the duty of every person living in this country, citizen or not, to defend and protect it by any means necessary. The Pledge is merely a small token of that. I have never been in the military, but the Motto at West Point explains very clearly and succinctly what every single person should strive to live for.
“DUTY – HONOR – COUNTRY”
Those words should resonate like a solemn drumbeat in every American’s mind, for all time. They are inextricably linked, both to each other, and to the American Ideal.
If you have never seen Red Skelton explicate the Pledge of Allegiance, you should. He dropped the humor for a few minutes, and in those few minutes, he gave this country a great gift.
I don’t have any objection to saying it. I have a huge objection to being made to say it, as I was in school. I have a smaller objection to being expected to say it, and to social pressure coercing me to say it.
Hey, if you wanna say it, go right ahead. Leave me out.
It’s called freedom, and some of us think it’s a good thing.
