A few of them. A rather lot of them came for money, or simply adventure and a new life. Religious freedom is a plus, but remember that prior to the Revolution/Articles/Constitution, there was no freedom of religion as a widespread national ideal. Many of the colonies had established churches, and many towns were VERY intolerant of other faiths. The Puritans may have come for freedom to practice their religion, for instance, but they came for the freedom not only to escape a theocracy, but also to set up their own theocracy. It didn’t last, however, as the country was too large and too diverse to support such views.
Apology on re-read: I didn’t mean a “few” since there were many. I should have said many or some. It was certainly not the pre-eminent reason for the majority, but it was an important reason, especially for the earliest and most well known.
Parents and society in general have to teach kids something. No matter what it is, it’s brainwashing in your broad sense. Heck, exposing a baby to particular sensory experiences condition its brain to interpret the world in an even more profound and lasting manner.
Are you really suggesting that parents should not have the right to teach children their beliefs? Certainly it can go overboard into tyrrany, but that’s true for any belief. I’m far more concerned about parents that brainwash their kids into thinking they are worthless and unloved.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that parents should not have the right to teach children their beliefs.
I believe we are saying that that “parents” should not have the right teach MY CHILDREN their beliefs. That is, the government should not be brainwashing all our children.
Leave religious teachings to the church and the home, where it is not inflicted upon others. Religion has no place in our schools.
Lessee…we pledged in elementary school until sixth grade…not in 7th and 8th, when I transferred to a parochial school and the flag was replaced by a crucifix on the wall then not at all in high school.
Picture this–you’ve just walked or gotten off a long bus ride to school, or a school bus or parent-chauffered car if you’re some kind of suburban creampuff, not that I was ever jealous. You’re tired or really distracted by just having talked to friends or low blood sugar or seeing what the other girls are wearing. Your teacher turns wearily to the flag and claps her hand on her chest and starts reciting; you lurch to your feet and recite. If you’re like most kids, you’re not paying attention to the words at all, let alone analyzing them line by line. And there were some kids who stood up but didn’t say the words–most I knew weren’t American citizens, and the rest I figured were Quakers or Jehovah’s Witnesses or something. Nobody cared. Nobody did anything to them as far as I knew, although admittedly I was not in the bullying loop.
I mean, when the British hear their national anthem, do you spend all of it thinking really hard about the Queen, and hoping that she does something glorious? Or is it just a routine?
MEBuckner, thanks for that post–that’s a great explanation.
As a confirmed anti-royalist I consider that they are outdated, out of touch with the common man, spoilt, pampered beyond belief,a drain on our country, I could go on but to what end?
then not at all in high school.