61% of Americans Say Students Should Be Required to Say the Pledge of Allegiance

[Skwim]

.


"Here’s the bad news: Most Americans still think school children should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

[The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.]
​

A new poll from Rasmussen Reports finds that 61% of Americans believe the Pledge ought to be mandatory while only 28% oppose that idea. (The rest are undecided.)

​

The good news? The pro-Pledge number is considerably lower than the 68% who felt that way in 2013 and the 77% who agreed in 2008.

The trend is moving in the right direction.

After all, a symbol for patriotism is no substitute for actual patriotism. More people are starting to realize that we’re not really a nation “under God” or one that actually offers “liberty and justice for all.” Considering how students are protesting the Pledge — and how our nation doesn’t warrant much respect right now given what the Republicans in power are doing to it — it’s not surprising that a mandatory oath of love to this country seems completely inappropriate to a growing number of people."
source

​

So, what's your opinion. Should students be required to say it or not? And what's your reasoning.

.

 

[Laika]

Voted No. A school is where kids should be able to think for themselves without being subject to the (conscious) indoctrination by adults with particular religious or political views. The pledge of allegiance is a symbol of conformity and authority, rather than free thought and the possibility of doubt and dissent.

There are other ways to inspire kids to love their country and its ideals, notably great teachers and the quest for learning and discovery and realising that the ideals the country is founded on are legitimately true in their own right, not because someone told you so.

 

[sun rise]

Kids should learn what America stands for - that we're a republic and stand for "liberty and justice for all". With the current anti-liberty pro-injustice regime in power in Washington, people need to be reminded of our ideals.

 

[Laika]

Kids should learn what America stands for - that we're a republic and stand for "liberty and justice for all". With the current anti-liberty pro-injustice regime in power in Washington, people need to be reminded of our ideals.

It would probably be better if every child got their own copy of the Constitution of the United States, rather than having to say the pledge of allegiance every morning. That might help the process.

 

[Jollybear]

.


"Here’s the bad news: Most Americans still think school children should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

A new poll from Rasmussen Reports finds that 61% of Americans believe the Pledge ought to be mandatory while only 28% oppose that idea. (The rest are undecided.)

[The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.]
​

The good news? The pro-Pledge number is considerably lower than the 68% who felt that way in 2013 and the 77% who agreed in 2008.

The trend is moving in the right direction.

After all, a symbol for patriotism is no substitute for actual patriotism. More people are starting to realize that we’re not really a nation “under God” or one that actually offers “liberty and justice for all.” Considering how students are protesting the Pledge — and how our nation doesn’t warrant much respect right now given what the Republicans in power are doing to it — it’s not surprising that a mandatory oath of love to this country seems completely inappropriate to a growing number of people."
source
​

So, what's your opinion. Should students be required to say it or not? And what's your reasoning.

.

If a student is not at liberty to say no to the pledge, then the meaning of the pledge "liberty for all" has no meaning.

 

[Father Heathen]

Only an idiot would fail to see that making the pledge compulsory would actually be unpatriotic in a nation that values freedom.

 

[dianaiad]

Voted No. A school is where kids should be able to think for themselves without being subject to the (conscious) indoctrination by adults with particular religious or political views. The pledge of allegiance is a symbol of conformity and authority, rather than free thought and the possibility of doubt and dissent.

There are other ways to inspire kids to love their country and its ideals, notably great teachers and the quest for learning and discovery and realising that the ideals the country is founded on are legitimately true in their own right, not because someone told you so.

There are reasons that some kid should not, or cannot, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and should be allowed to refuse. Religious reasons come to mind, instantly. If the kid is not an American citizen, s/he should not be allowed to say it.

I do not believe that refusing to say it in political protest is a good thing.

 

[columbus]

Perhaps all children should be forced, by public policy, to recite The Pledge or be smacked across the knuckles by their teacher.

I was.

I developed a healthy disrespect for government and religious authorities, and never much accepted what they told me to believe afterwards unless they could explain why and answer my questions about it.

Worked for me. It was a powerful lesson in critical thinking.
Tom

ETA ~Maybe young people should also be required to recite the Lord's Prayer, like I was. Really, this all totally worked for me. I came to despise overbearing government and religion.~

 

[Darkforbid]

Strange in war nationalism is what keeps a country free. If you're not prepared pledge to your country the probability is you'll run rather than fight for it

 

[Father Heathen]

Strange in war nationalism is what keeps a country free. If you're not prepared pledge to your country the probability is you'll run rather than fight for it

Even if this nonsense was true, forced pledges would be insincere so what difference would it make?

 

[Laika]

There are reasons that some kid should not, or cannot, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and should be allowed to refuse. Religious reasons come to mind, instantly. If the kid is not an American citizen, s/he should not be allowed to say it.

I do not believe that refusing to say it in political protest is a good thing.

If you have a school of say 500 kids, probably 90% of them (450) will say the pledge no matter what happens. They will just go along with it and won't care that much. Of the remaining 10% (5), probably 9% (45) may have objections or reservations but won't say it. Maybe its family connections, like one of their parents is in jail, or is fighting or got killed in a war overseas. But then you have maybe 1%, (5) who might want to say no and will actually do it.

If you are in the 1%, those 5 kids, its possible that they are acting out problems at home and taking it out on authority (as kids do). Very few of them will be able to articulate clear political reasons to protest, but they should have the right to. Maybe they will have seen a movie or read something that's provoked a chain reaction and got them to question the meaning of the symbol.

Even when children are wrong, we still have to learn to respect them. Often, we have as much to learn for them as we might have to teach them (although it gets harder with teenagers I admit). The trouble is that it's going to be that 1 kid who says no, who may very well have a better understanding of the meaning of liberty and is moved to action by it that may serve as the example of what it means to be a citizen in a free society. There is a form patriotism in questioning the very meaning of patriotism, and whether it means the rights of citizens or subservience to authority and choosing to dissent based on asserting your right to do so.

Strange in war nationalism is what keeps a country free. If you're not prepared pledge to your country the probability is you'll run rather than fight for it

It often takes more courage to go against the grain and be a "coward" than to just join in and pretend everything is going to be ok. There is enormous physical courage in being a solider and fighting a war, but there is moral courage in being a conscientious objector and refusing to fight in wars you believe are unjust. I tend to think that those who would ordinarily be descried as "cowards" for refusing to fight, often become the best fighters. If they are willing to run away, they have something worth living for. So the task is to convince them they have something worth fighting for and dieing for as well.

 

[Revoltingest]

There's a popular saying in Revoltistan....
"<deleted expletive> the pledge...unless it's lemon!"

So y'all know how I voted.

 

[Revoltingest]

I composed an alternative....
I pledge allegiance to no flag, nor to the United States of Ameristan,
nor to the Republic for Richard Stans, nor to any Nation under any gods,
indefensible, unless there's liberty and justice for all.

 

[Vidensia]

I see nothing inherently wrong with this practice. However, due to my issues with the nation specified, I’m undecided.

 

[bobhikes]

"Here’s the bad news: Most Americans still think school children should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

[The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.]
​

A new poll from Rasmussen Reports finds that 61% of Americans believe the Pledge ought to be mandatory while only 28% oppose that idea. (The rest are undecided.)

The good news? The pro-Pledge number is considerably lower than the 68% who felt that way in 2013 and the 77% who agreed in 2008.

The trend is moving in the right direction.

After all, a symbol for patriotism is no substitute for actual patriotism. More people are starting to realize that we’re not really a nation “under God” or one that actually offers “liberty and justice for all.” Considering how students are protesting the Pledge — and how our nation doesn’t warrant much respect right now given what the Republicans in power are doing to it — it’s not surprising that a mandatory oath of love to this country seems completely inappropriate to a growing number of people."
source
​

So, what's your opinion. Should students be required to say it or not? And what's your reasoning.

.

Pledges, Anthems, and Oaths bind people together in a group. We see those who take this with us as equals. In the right setting a public school with different types of students, I see the pledge as a good thing. It is a commonality all US citizens should and would have if it was mandatory. Just being force to say it whether you believe it or not would make you the same as every other citizen that grew up in the US and every person that became a citizen through immigration. If you want to change the words and make more inclusive, that is fine but all citizens should share in the resulting Pledge.

 

[Revoltingest]

Pledges, Anthems, and Oaths bind people together in a group. We see those who take this with us as equals. In the right setting a public school with different types of students, I see the pledge as a good thing. It is a commonality all US citizens should and would have if it was mandatory. Just being force to say it whether you believe it or not would make you the same as every other citizen that grew up in the US and every person that became a citizen through immigration. If you want to change the words and make more inclusive, that is fine but all citizens should share in the resulting Pledge.

Try forcing me to say the pledge, & one would
discover a whole lotta disunity & commotion.
I'd be loath to say even the pre-"God" pledge.

Whaddaya think of the pledge I wrote?

 

[Vidensia]

Pledges, Anthems, and Oaths bind people together in a group. We see those who take this with us as equals. In the right setting a public school with different types of students, I see the pledge as a good thing. It is a commonality all US citizens should and would have if it was mandatory. Just being force to say it whether you believe it or not would make you the same as every other citizen that grew up in the US and every person that became a citizen through immigration. If you want to change the words and make more inclusive, that is fine but all citizens should share in the resulting Pledge.

“Inclusive”... I am beginning to detest that term.

 

[bobhikes]

Try forcing me to say the pledge, & one would
discover a whole lotta disunity & commotion.
I'd be loath to say even the pre-"God" pledge.

Whaddaya think of the pledge I wrote?

Pledge start with I or We and refer to the thing being pledged, so I don't see any pledge. Its a good thing you're not an immigrant because it is a requirement to become a citizen of the US.

 

[bobhikes]

“Inclusive”... Must every freaking thing on Earth be made “inclusive”?

No we could just exclude you and your views.

 

[Revoltingest]

Its a good thing you're not an immigrant because it is a requirement to become a citizen of the US.

Trump would prolly personally demand that
I be kept far far from Ameristan's shores.
But having been born here, he's stuck with me.
And so are you.