United States: One Nation under ...??...

[Jimmch939]

I was an atheist in high school (agnostic now) and I just didn't say the under god part, which was simple and effective enough.

I have no qualms with getting rid of the pledge. Though I don't exactly see it as brainwashing, I don't recall very many people jumping out of their chairs in excitement to say the pledge, if anything the endless repetition makes the words lose their meaning.

[Winter Nights]

We are guaranteed freedom to choose our own religion, not freedom from exposure to anything we don't agree with. You don't like it, don't say it. Stop bitching, it's only thirty seconds of your morning. Whether you like it or not, this nation was founded under God, and freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion. You don't have the right to never be offended. Sit down, shut up, and get over it.

Actually, forcing children to say the pledge is a little more than "exposing them to religion". And while certain forefathers may have been Christian, this country was founded under the freedom of choice. And our freedom to choose our own religion or none at all IS violated here, because it forces people to verbally acknowledge a God that they prolly don't believe in. And that's something far different than being accepting of your beliefs.

[My_Talim]

I don't say the pledge no point I guess!

[DMKA]

We are guaranteed freedom to choose our own religion, not freedom from exposure to anything we don't agree with. You don't like it, don't say it. Stop bitching, it's only thirty seconds of your morning. Whether you like it or not, this nation was founded under God, and freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion. You don't have the right to never be offended. Sit down, shut up, and get over it.

So can we say "One nation, Under Satan Anally Raping Baby Jesus" and you'd be just fine and dandy saying it?

It's the Pledge, a symbol of our country. How you could not be insulted by it being a Christian and in the US Military just blows my mind.

[TurkSlayer]

I too think that "Under God" should be removed, for reasons already stated. I myself don't actually say them. I wait silently until everyone else has said it, then continue.

Under the influence.

I pledge allegiance,
to the flag,
of the United States of America.
And to the Republic,
for which it stands,
one nation,
under the influence,
Indivisible,
with liberty
and justice for all.

Yeah, that sounds much better. And a little more truthful.

[BlueMageOne]

Now I get the impression that the US is a drunk nation :P

[My_Talim]

I too think that "Under God" should be removed, for reasons already stated. I myself don't actually say them. I wait silently until everyone else has said it, then continue.



I pledge allegiance,
to the flag,
of the United States of America.
And to the Republic,
for which it stands,
one nation,
under the influence,
Indivisible,
with liberty
and justice for all.

Yeah, that sounds much better. And a little more truthful.

That makes no sence!

[Jimmch939]

Actually, forcing children to say the pledge is a little more than "exposing them to religion". And while certain forefathers may have been Christian, this country was founded under the freedom of choice. And our freedom to choose our own religion or none at all IS violated here, because it forces people to verbally acknowledge a God that they prolly don't believe in. And that's something far different than being accepting of your beliefs.

Yet the pledge in and of itself is not religious. Nor is it forcing a set of religious beliefs or practices on anyone. It merely has the word god in it. As I mentioned in the post prior to yours, I was an atheist in high school and I just omitted the word god, thus rendering the pledge completely devoid of any religious connotation whatsoever. I wasn't forced to say the word god, (or the pledge for that matter). As an atheist I didn't feel that my rights were trampled on, at all. Just as I think anyone else could do. In the case of someone from another faith, I am sure that when they say the words "under god" it is directed toward their own god. So from their perspective, I don't see their rights being violated either, since it merely says "god" which is unassuming.

[Winter Nights]

But, if you don't believe in god, there is no point in saying it. Religion and allegience to your country should not be treated as if it goes hand in hand, which is what the current pledge does.

[TurkSlayer]

That makes no sence!

I personally think it makes more sense than the current pledge.

Now I get the impression that the US is a drunk nation :P

Exactly.

[Xaven]

My geometry teacher makes us say the pledge and marks our grade off if we don't. Personally, I'm fine with it, but I understand that others aren't. She's not even legally allowed to do that anymore.

So can we say "One nation, Under Satan Anally Raping Baby Jesus" and you'd be just fine and dandy saying it?

It's the Pledge, a symbol of our country. How you could not be insulted by it being a Christian and in the US Military just blows my mind.

Honestly! (exdee)

[Cuchulainn]

If America wants to be taken seriously as a secular state then you simply need to drop the 'under God' bit.

It also helps NOT to have a president who says God guides his foreign policy & forbidding gay marrages for religious reasons.

It's very hard to be secular, but calling out other nations for having a religious state whilst living in a camouflaged religious state yourself & hoping no one will notice...that's just optimistic...especially when your own President says God's tells him to do things, where was this God while he was trying to find his way out of that press conference in China? That was hilarious.

[yingyang]

You know, when we say the pledge of allegiance, it kinda reminds me of when I watch the History channel specials on Hitler. I think, "Hey, we both pledge alliance to our country and we both raise our hands in some salute." Coincidence or brianwashing? :P

Interesting to know:
~ I looked up the words 'Nationalism' and 'Patriotism' on dictionary.com. Answer= Definitions were the same.
~ On the Presidential note: I suggest you check out this song:
http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/bright...alkstogod.html

Bright Eyes "When The President Talks To God"

[Shlup]

I'm more offended by the pledge in general than the "under God part." Once I was old enough to think about it, I stopped saying it. End of story. I don't really give a crap if they make kids say it; kids are made to do a lot of things before they're able to make proper decisions for themselves.

Though it was cool when it was my turn to hold up the flag in kindergarten.

[Jebus]

I agree with Shlup on this one. I find kids being forced to say the pledge far more offensive than the "Under God" part.

They're just children, which, understandibly, is reason enough to punish them, but still, at least try not to force them into a pact that they don't realize they're signing.

I stopped saying the pledge years before I turned 18, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm not bound by it. I couldn't care less what happens to this country.

That's the problem with American Patriotism. It puts the country before the people, and that is never right.