Is the Pledge of Allegiance not allowed in schools?

ORIGINAL: tashakota

I don't want to get into an argument but it's not the Pledge of Allegiance or prayers in school that teach right from wrong. It's the people TEACHING the right from wrong that teach it. People can't rely on schools to teach right from wrong because teachers don't have power any more.

I agree with you except that I think we ALL teach kids, not just the parents. I am a private music teacher, and I know that for some kids, I'm a real light to their dark lives. There were teachers who shined the light for me, being good examples and having compassion for me, and I try to be the same for all the children I teach. I think no matter where you are in the world you need to be the best person you can be, because someone nearby needs your good example. So we are all theh teachers of children, and each other.

Edited: And the whole "Holiday tree" thing just pisses me off. It started as a Christmas tradition, leave it where it began! Is anyone wanting to change the Menorah to the Holiday candles?

Actually, the Christmas tree is of pagan origins, as is holly in the house (the Celts put it up to tangle up the fairies so they won't cause mischief!). The tree business started in Scandanavia:

"The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter celebrations for many centuries. Many pagan festivals used trees when honoring their gods and spirits. In Northern Europe the Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return. The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles."

fromhttp://www.jinglebellranch.com/orgin.htm

Just as the "under God" wasn't originally in the Pledge of Allegiance (and I'm with Gina on this, fealty oaths become meaningless, especially done by rote), the Christmas tree and many other supposed Christian traditions have a history.

People do take things to extremes. Like making up stuff to fraudulently send around the internet to stir people up! []

I firmly believe that all those who are offended by "God" on their money should take action and send it STRAIGHT to me. Go on, STICK IT TO THE MAN!!!

I think that they should have the Pledge in school. If you don't like it, don't say it, but for heavens sake be repectful. I think that some whine just for the heck of it. If it's not the Pledge it's something else. If it's not that it's another thing--good grief...

And just fo the record, if the Pledge mentioned the nation being under "Allah," (yes, I know "Allah" is simply the arabic word for God, but it is primarily used in connection with Islam) etc, I would simply leave that part out when saying it. I have pariticipated in cerimonies put on by people of other faiths and been respectful of their beliefs while remaining true my own without issue. I would never become angry at a Jew for wishing me a Happy Honicka (sp?), and would in fact be pleased that they did.

Tolerance goes both ways.

Hmm, interesting how this thread has evolved.  I didn't start it as a lesson on tolerance, but to find out what is going on in the schools.  My thoughts are that if children don't learn the Pledge in school, where are they going to learn it?  Or the "Star Spangled Banner?"  Or to stand up when it is played?  Or to put their hand over their heart?  I feel respect for our country should be taught in the schools....what they choose to do with it when they are old enough to make their own decisions is up to them!  I have just noticed that people don't KNOW any more....

ORIGINAL: angeltrudelle

I went to catholic school all my life and there is no difference in the catholic school or the public school in the way kids behave. The only difference between us is we wear a uniform. Just because I had to take religion and say morning prayers didn't mean religion played a big role in my life. I would have been the same person if I went to public school.

 
OK, I am Jewish and I teach in a Catholic school... how's that for irony.  Anyway, our school is not restrictive.  They will accept pretty much anyone, so we get a lot of the kids who were kicked out of or doing badly in public schools so our kids' behavior is worse than many public schools, but we have smaller class sizes .  I am teaching public next year and spent the day there yesterday.  Those kids are the same or better.  Also, in both schools, private and public, they said the Pledge.  All the teachers had the words on posters by the flags (1st graders need that sometimes) and everyone said the whole thing.

Interesting piece of trivia:  The pledge of allegiance was written for the Chicago World's fair of 1893.  Not sure how it got adopted nation-wide. 

By the way, no way a kid wrote that.  A touch heavy handed, methinks.

That's interesting to know.  Here's another little bit of slightly OT trivia that I thought was kind of funny.  You know how certain groups have been getting their knickers all in a twist about Mexicans translating the Star Spangled Banner into Spanish and singing it?  A local newspaper columnist wrote an article about how Francis Scott Key wrote the words but the music was stolen from a British drinking song. And apparently one of our patriotic songs (can't remember if it's "America the Beautiful" or "My Country 'Tis of Thee") was actually the British National Anthem - God Save the Queen - before we stole that one too.[] So ... we have a bit to thank England for.

Joyce & Max

Ok , I googled it  and nowhere did I see that it was written for the World's Fair.  Can you substantiate that statement with a link?   I'm not trying  to be argumentative, just trying to get some facts.

I remember when the phrase "under God" was added...think I may have been in the 5th grade, and still picture my teacher explaining this addition...to me, it was a good thing.

Marty, we must be part of the same generation.[] I think I was somewhere around 5th. grade, too.

Joyce & Max

I googled "pledge of allegiance" and "world's fair." 

Some of the listings:

[linkhttp://www.randomhouse.com/crown/devilinthewhitecity/fair.html]http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/devilinthewhitecity/fair.html[/link]

[linkhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50421-2005Mar19.html]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50421-2005Mar19.html[/link]

[linkhttp://www.crwflags.com/allegiance.html]http://www.crwflags.com/allegiance.html[/link]
 
[linkhttp://www.wealth4freedom.com/wisdom/pledge.htm]http://www.wealth4freedom.com/wisdom/pledge.htm[/link]

[linkhttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma96/WCE/legacy.html]http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma96/WCE/legacy.html[/link]

two other interesting articles:
 
[linkhttp://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/06/26/pledge.allegiance/]http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/06/26/pledge.allegiance/[/link]
 
[linkhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/14/scotus.pledge/]http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/14/scotus.pledge/[/link]

Yes, The Star Spangled Banner is to the tune of an old pub song.

heeheeheeheehee!

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles

 
Perhaps the reason that "God" is outlawed in schools is that we need separation of church and state.  It was this principle that insured that we did not become a "Christian state", a "Muslim state", a "Jewish state" a "Buddhist state", etc.  I find it offensive that this poem makes "totem poles" out to be a negative - some of the first people to inhabit this land consider them sacred objects.  So, you can see why our founders were inclined toward religious freedom...

it is still said here,

It said at my kids schools. And moment of silence also.