Should children be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

American Thinker ^ | 06/29/2021 | Charlotte Cushman

[SeekAndFind]

On May 20, 2021, the state of Iowa passed a law "that requires all Iowa schools to lead the Pledge of Allegiance once a day in grades 1–12."  Governor Nordman said:

We don't pledge our allegiance to a government or a leader. We pledge our loyalty to an idea — the American idea. We pledge our loyalty to the greatest social experiment to ever happen on this planet. This is why I believe the Pledge of Allegiance is so important.

However, the law also states: "A student shall not be compelled against the student's objection or those of a student's parent or guardian to recite the pledge."  Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools has been a topic of controversy for a long time, and it recently became contentious at a public meeting in Silverton, Colorado when the mayor banned the Pledge.

Should the Pledge be recited?  And should children be taught the Pledge of Allegiance?  Here is what I wrote to a group of teachers who were discussing whether or not a child should learn the Pledge of Allegiance:

There are a lot of lies being told about the United States and its history right now.  The goal is to get people to hate our country, divide us, and make our country and Western civilization fall.(I have literally heard people say this.). Our country was the first country on Earth that was created that recognized individual rights — that each individual had a right to pursue his/her own happiness as long as the rights of others were respected.  Before the creation of this country, people had to live their lives for a king or some other authority.  Slavery was common at that time in history, and while it took time for change to happen (as it always does),

[SeekAndFind]

It was the idea in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal that led to the Civil War and ended slavery in this country.

I understand that some people think that teaching children the Pledge is a form of indoctrination. Indoctrination is repeating an idea or belief to someone until they believe it. As this idea or belief is repeated, no proof is given for it, and no questions or discussions are allowed. The Pledge is not indoctrination if children are taught the accurate history of our country and understand the meaning of the pledge to our flag.

The United States flag is a symbol for freedom, and freedom is essential to life. It stands for individual rights, and individual rights are essential in order to pursue happiness. When I pledge to the flag, in my mind I know that I am pledging to the original ideals put forth by the founding fathers: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Therefore, it is logical to say that you're teaching children about the fidelity that the Pledge represents — the fidelity of the concept of individual rights.

[albie]

Well said!

[BipolarBob]

If we do not infuse patriotism into our children, what will take its place? CRT? Gender confusion? BLM with a side of white hate? Government is god?

[Wuli]

Started by Frank Bellamy, an American Christian socialist.

[TexasGurl24]

They can’t be forced to say it: West Virginia State Board of Education v . Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943).

[elpadre]

Children should all memorize and understand the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. They live in this country and benefit from all it offers both citizens and foreign residents.

In my time, public school children learned both and the Lord’s Prayer as well.

[goodnesswins]

Damn well better “indoctrinate” them in the freedom the American flag represents...or they will not have any freedom.

[Dutch Boy]

The concept of duty to country is vanishing as is duty to family. Too many now believe they are not just at the center of the universe, they are the universe. Nothing outside of their wants and needs are ever to be considered. Watch these people on YouTube, Twitter and other social media.

[Renfrew]

Very good points. Our country has become very libertarian, both liberals and conservatives feel that anyone should be able to believe whatever they want.

The problem is that has created a generation that believes in nothing. A civilization can’t survive that.

[Pollard]

I think we should worry about recent things like gender confusion before trying to jump back to something from decades ago.

[Alberta's Child]

To me this discussion is pointless.

Public schools shouldn't even exist. This idea that knowledge can ever be politicized has no place in a free nation of normal, civilized human beings.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Well said!

Those were the word of the author of this article. And yes, I agree with you.

[Jim Noble]

No child should be required to repeat a formula in public if his parents object.

I believe there is a USSC precedent from the 1940s regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses that addresses this exact issue.

Now, this does not mean that refuseniks should be protected from hearing OTHERS recite the pledge, it does not mean that the pledge should be banned or discouraged.

It just means that REQUIRING objecting families to make their children submit is a bad idea.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I’m having a problem with it in my old age. Young skulls full of mush are followers, easily led. This is not good. Kids in school should be allowed to stand outside while this is going on. I just might be out there with them. The really questionable part of this article is the author being involved in the “study” of Ayn Rand. Just what would Ms. Rand really think?

Just look at the history of a certain individual’s Youth Corps. Ceauchescu was the father to his personal army of orphans.

Remember a small minority in Germany belonged to the Nazi party and this is a slippery slope. B.J. and Obama would be against it and next time around people like that would have their followers eating from their hand.

[taxcontrol]

Rituals are how a society passes on values to the next generation. Remove, devalue, or destroy those rituals and society become ripe for change. This is what the Statist / Marxists want. They know that as long as America holds true to Americana, then they have no hope of taking over the country.

[Responsibility2nd]

I’m 63 years old. And even back when I was a young ‘un, there was no rule compelling children to recite the pledge.

[Responsibility2nd]

Maybe recite the Joe Biden pledge?

 “I pledge allegiance to the United States of America, one nation, indivisible, under God, for real.”

[Sooth2222]

The Pledge in 1915 (before a vegetarian German National Socialist gave the salute a bad name):

What’s Conservative about the Pledge of Allegiance?

It was written by Francis Bellamy, a Christian Socialist pushed out of his post as a Baptist minister for delivering pulpit‐​pounding sermons on such topics as “Jesus the Socialist.”

[Leep]

I support waterboard children and adults who are in this country illegally.

[rellimpank]

—excellent reference—( I was flamed extensively some years ago for stating the same)