High school students walk out on pledge

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Sep 28th 2007 10:34AM

On the first day or school, Jared and I had a chat about the pledge of allegiance as it is currently recited in schools across the nation. If you know anything about me, you can probably guess the two-word phrase that was the focus of our discussion: "under God". Like many people, I am opposed to its inclusion in my kids' morning routine for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I don't believe in God.

In Boulder, Colorado, a group of fifty high school students felt the same way and decided to do something about it. The group walked out of class during the daily recitation yesterday and instead used their own version. The students' modified pledge went as follows: "I pledge allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights with which it comes. And to the diversity in which our nation stands. One nation, part of one planet, with liberty, freedom, choice and justice for all."

In previous years, students had the opportunity to join in a recitation of the pledge either before school or at lunchtime, but that required an administrator to spend his time with the kids. Now the pledge is broadcast over the PA system at 8:30 during the first class of the day. The students want to return to having the pledge read in the auditorium during the school's two lunch periods for those who want to participate.

Personally, I agree completely with the students, but I also recognize that they are standing up for what they believe in and that alone is worth noting. Whether or not you agree with them on this particular issue, they should be commended for exercising their constitutional rights because, after all, if they weren't able to do that, there really wouldn't be any point in reciting the pledge, would there?

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Comments (37)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Stefania/CityMama 9-28-2007 @ 10:47AM

Actually, it's the "and liberty and justice for all" part that I have a problem with. As a public school teacher, I never said the pledge in my (inner city) classroom.

Amanda 9-28-2007 @ 10:52AM

I don't understand why people have a problem with "under God" being in the pledge? can someone please explain to me why this is a problem?

caitlin 9-28-2007 @ 11:15AM

Amanda, not everyone believes in the Christian god, some believe in a pantheon of gods, and some believe in none. In certain communities, it (along with the Lord's Prayer and grace), you can't opt out unless you want to be harassed.

'The words "under God" were added to the Pledge on 14 June 1954 when then U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill into law. At the time, Eisenhower stated that "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our Nation and our people to the Almighty." ' - Wikipedia

Katie 9-28-2007 @ 11:16AM

Uhh.. Amanda, do you really see no problem in forcing students to pledge allegiance to a deity in which not everyone believes?

Joy 9-28-2007 @ 11:26AM

This is The Pledge OF Allegiance. It's part of OUR COUNTRY. It's just what we do and have done. I say keep it the way it is. There are always people who want to change everything. If you don't want to say "under God" (which I don't get either Amanda), then don't say it. If you don't like living here in America and doing what we do, then move. I'm sure you could find other countries MUCH better than we have. NOT! I love my country and love the rituals we have. I'm happy that my grandchildren say the same things I said. There is "comfort" there to me and I DO think it should be included in school. It's like a prayer to America. I'm sure I'll get blasted but that's okay. This is American after all and we all have our rights. Thanks to our forfathers.

TD 9-28-2007 @ 11:42AM

I have two friends who just recently achieved their U.S. citizenship. They are devout Muslims. They say the pledge in their entirety every day. They are not offended by the reference to God, because in their mind it is the God of their beliefs that they are refering to. They have explained to me that to them the pledge to the flag of our country is a priviledge - and that they believe that if the citizens of this country had to struggle as hard for their citizenship as they have had to, they would put a little more value on the flag and the pledge and the respect they are due.
I tend to agree with them, and think little of those who would choose to live here, prattle on about their rights, and then disrespect the flag that stand as their symbol.

ME 9-28-2007 @ 12:11PM

The USA was founded for relgious freedom. Why would it not be in there? And as TD said people just naturally assume that it's the Christian God (and while it might have started that way, we have religous freedom so it's not stuck as God people just won't see past the need for a good "fight")and not the fact that Relgious Freedom is for ANY type of god(s). Granted, founding fathers were of the chirstian faith, but they came and founded for Freedom FOR ALL. Anyway, my little two peices there.

ME 9-28-2007 @ 12:11PM

hehe, next time I'll use spell check. Sorry.

Uly 9-28-2007 @ 12:31PM

You're right Amanda. It's not a problem for me to claim to believe in something I do not believe in. In the future, I will say the Pledge, every day, with the words "under God". In return, I only ask that *you* say the Pledge, every day, with the words "With no God". Fair's fair, right?

It's interesting to note that the man who wrote the Pledge, a minister, actually did not include those pesky little words. Seems he thought it might be divisive. Imagine that.

(Incidentally, *my* objection to the whole pledge of allegience is simply that children are taught to recite it without understanding it. Every year, we hear oh-so-cute stories about adorable little tykes who think that the last words are "You may now be seated". Hahahaha. I, personally, find that deeply disturbing. You're asking little children to make a promise that they don't even understand what it means, that they *couldn't* understand, even if it were in simpler language, because the concepts are so abstract. And asking them to make this promise every day, for twelve years. A promise that they don't even know if they can keep, because they don't understand it. Yeah, great idea.)

Uly 9-28-2007 @ 12:33PM

Alternatively, Amanda, you can say "under the gods". In case you're more opposed to polytheism than atheism in general principle. Your choice.

Sarah 9-28-2007 @ 12:34PM

I think the alternate pledge the students came up with is nicely stated...

Not everyone believes in God (or gods) and having to assert that the country is united under God therefore is beyond uncomfortable and it is really unfair to them. Plus, it is not the original pledge. I would add more but people who don't understand why "under God" is a problem for some people (even some believers!) will not be convinced here.

April Alexander 9-28-2007 @ 2:06PM

I totally agree with you TD. Does it really offend you that much to just stand there for a minute and just say - or don't say it, just stand there. Noone is forcing to believe in something you do or don't believe in. Everybody wants to modify and change everything to their liking, something is always going to offend everyone. At the rate we're going we'll have no traditions they have been passed down. Leave it alone and focus your energy on issues that really need changes.

MooseThumbs 9-28-2007 @ 12:40PM

"Under God" was added in order to separate us from the godless Communists. Since the Cold War is over, it seems like it shouldn't be a big deal to revert back to the original.

Jason 9-28-2007 @ 1:06PM

ME -

Not all the founding fathers were christians, many were Deists.

Joy-

Nice Wayne's World usage. I don't understand when you are saying that we shouldn't change our traditions, are you talking about when "under god" was included in 1954 or people objecting to it now. Why was the 1954 change fine, but this one wrong.

I, myself, am not a huge fan of nationalism. I think it is a way to separte people. I don't have to worry about people suffering in country x. I greatly admire the US for its establishment of personal freedoms (i.e. Bill of Rights) which is tops in the world. In other areas, other countries (like murder rates or economic inequality). I like it here, don't want to move, but also am not a big fan of rabid nationalism.

Joy 9-28-2007 @ 1:06PM

I didn't mean to sound so "irrational". I almost sound like my husband and that's not always a good thing. I wished I could have clicked "unsend" after I submitted that. I didn't mean to sound so harsh or narrow minded. What I mostly mean is...isn't it "neat" that we all have this one thing we say, together, as a nation and as good country. Like a church, any kind or a poem, part of a "club" or "group". We are united by this one single thing. I know kids don't understand it. I didn't but I said it with my class with pride. I know I'm not saying this the right way but I feel like we are "together" just at this one time. Kind of like when we sing The Star Spangled Banner before sporting things or during the Olympics. Does anyone know what I mean or what I'm trying to explain????

RobMonroe 9-28-2007 @ 1:23PM

I am a Christian, and I say right away because I am proud of my personal and family heritage. I say my personal pledge to God (prayer) daily. I do not expect you to join with me.

ME - you point out that this country was founded based on religious freedom. Part of that freedom HAS to be freedom to not be religious. Your "freedom for ANY type of god(s)" has to be free enough to be "freedom for or FROM any type of god(s)."

To be American does not mean that you have to be of religion.

I really like the pledge the students came up with. Traditions are nice, but need to be revisited from time to time. I would hate to still be pledging to a flag with only 26 stars. Times change and traditions sometimes need to change with them.

SKL 9-28-2007 @ 2:11PM

As long as everyone is respecting the flag and what it stands for, I am OK with not including "under God," but I am not OK with wasting huge amounts of time and resources over this fight.

One could say that for some people, "one nation" is controversial. For some, "I pledge allegiance to the flag" isn't really true. For some, "republic" isn't their cup of tea, and for some, indivisible" is a bit arrogant, and "liberty and justice for all" has never been more than an aspiration.

However, I do think it's a good practice to express love for country and respect for the flag and for those who died for the principles it intends to represent. I don't know that it has to be done daily, but I think it's a good idea to include it in a regular ritual, otherwise it will be de-prioritized or forgotten. I think we can all agree that there will never be a "pledge" that all Americans will agree on, so why fight over the little details? It's not like it says "I will eat babies."

For the record, I like the wording "under God" because for me, it reflects humility - that we recognize that if we are a great nation, it is by the grace of God. (And by the way, nowhere does it say "Christian God," so why do some people keep bringing that up? My Hindu and Muslim and Jewish friends believe in God.) To me it would be arrogant to say "one nation . . ." without the "under God" part. But I realize there are people who are arrogant enough to believe that they are the most superior being that is or ever was or will be, that humans know or can know every reality, and that is their right. So, they don't have to say "under God." Nobody will ever notice who even says it - did you lip-read the other kids when you were reciting in school? This debate has just taken up way too many resources that would be better spent on making sure kids graduate with a clue about how to read and define "allegiance," "republic," and "indivisible."

Courtney 9-28-2007 @ 2:20PM

To all of you... This is the exact reason why the USA is crumbling before our eyes. There is no respect, no tradition, nothing. A little EMPATHY anyone...
Sure, it was added in 1954, segregation was conquered shortly after that as well, should be change that too.... Same reasoning right?
If you do not like the USA then leave. If you are not hear and are somewhere else, great. I hope you have the freedoms we do. NO ONE has forced you or your children to say the parts you do not like.
In the good old God loving USA we speak English, though many speak other languages, should we change that too????

Get over it people, if you do not like it, then do not say it. Maybe if found GOD in your life you would not have so much hatred:)

God Bless you all and God Bless the USA!!!!! (oh, should be change that song for you all too?)

RobMonroe 9-28-2007 @ 2:27PM

It irritates me to no end when people think that because I have an opinion about America that differs from theirs that I should leave. Yes, I am welcome to leave.

But I'm also welcome to stay.
I'm welcome to say what I want.
I'm welcome to watch what I want.
I'm welcome to walk out on the pledge or the anthem.

That's fine. Let me make my decision. You can make yours.

What makes America great is that I can think what I want, and you can think what you want, and none of us are going to jail because of it.

If you're intolerant enough to offer my exit because I think that "under God" has a role that has, and should be questioned, you, my friend, are welcome to leave. I am here because people are (supposedly) tolerant.

W. H. Heydt 9-28-2007 @ 2:57PM

Courtney...

I love my country to the extent that I wish to change it for the better.

Let us reverse the 1954 law that added "under god" to the pledge, as that reversal will improve the country.

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