Quote:
Originally posted by Cyber Wolf
As far as I know, schools (public and private) really don't go out of their way to teach the K-4 grade kids the meaning or reason behind the Pledge. As has been stated (and is largely true), kids are just supposed to stand up every morning and say it. At my lower school, there was a flag pole that everyone actually went outside to stand around to say the pledge.
The average 10 year old, on the whole, doesn't know or doesn't care what the Pledge is. There are other pressing concerns at that age (newest toy, so-and-so called me a Dork, Sleep-over this Friday!!) So what I want to know is what "harm" has this guy's 10 year old been subjected to? He's almost treating it as if they forced his kid to say Dirty Words every morning or something like that. I'm willing to put a fiver on the possibility his kid really didn't think about it much until Dad started making a big deal out of it.
Anyway, if the Pledge MUST be recited, why not leave it with Under God included and allow that one portion of the Pledge be entirely optional? That way, every child can make that choice. Also, how's Mom and Dad going to know whether or not the kid really said it? Children need some chances to make important choices in their own lives.
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In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, the ones I knew, anyhow; you bet your buttons, Mom and Dad made it their business to know. Last fall I made the aquainitance of a JW couple and their incredible 10 year old daughter, "R." R. was one heck of a bright and spunky kid, but she had it drilled into her that she would be committing a horrible sin if she said the pledge. Dad even made surprise visits to the school just to check. R. confided to me that this (along with other JW restrictions - no Halloween or Christmas celebration participation, etc.) made her life on the playground a living hell (my word, not hers). She announced that she was also the best fighter in all the 3rd and 4th grades and could beat up any and all comers, including the boys in her class.
While I certainly have extremely major differences with the JW viewpoint, I also don't see why little kids should, in effect, have to make a loyalty oath every day they attend school. I think a better way of creating loyal US citizens is a good course in Civics and American History, as well as pratical displays of what freedom of religion and freedom of speech is all about. Schools could set one example of this by dispensing with the "optional" pledge.