(EpiskeyPM):the purpose is to show loyalty to your country, and respect for those who have given their lives in defense of your right to be as disrespectful towards our flag as you've been.
(EpiskeyPM):both of those would be great things to do. But reciting the pledge is a more indirect way of showing respect. Your suggestions are a direct way of showing respect and support. But I bet if a veteran was present in your class and they didn't say the pledge he/she would feel offended and disrespected.
It's to show respect and appreciation for you country. It's not a dumb thing to do. How disrespectful and unappreciative of you. It's not that hard to just stand and talk for 20 seconds.
The only thing I disagree with is "under god". The "point" is to shows respect and appreciation for your country. How hard is it to spend 20 seconds of your day to think about something bigger than yourself? America may not be the best country in the world, but I'm grateful I have the privilege to live here.
But if you don't see the point in showing gratefulness, whatever.
think of it this way: how pointless would it be if we had Obama say the Oath of Office everyday? Very. It's an oath. You only need to say it once. Same thing with a pledge. Once we have to say it everyday ot loses its significance.
I always took saying the pledge in class as an opportunity to mumble through the words and each day I would get just a little louder to see how long it took anyone to notice.
I stopped actually reciting the pledge some time around middle school. Now I just stand while the kid on the loudspeaker says it. I don't think anyone says it, really, except my homeroom teacher.
Personally, I think saying the pledge every morning is really weird.
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:
"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."
I've stopped saying it as well. I still know it, of course, but I also know exactly what I respect about my country and don't feel the need to mumble about it every morning. Honestly, I think saying it every day makes it become meaningless.
Also, I dislike the wording of it and find it to be almost hypocritical in some cases.
I only said it in elementary school. In middle school and high school we never said it. We just spend our time learning... I never really cared if I said it or not. According to some people it was the only time they would ever hear me speak in a day.
As a New Zealander I like how our National Anthem fits into society. It's not a pledge or anything, and we only sing it on special occasions and before sports games. I don't think that one who is born in a country needs to make a pledge to serve that county, however, I believe that is against the principles of freedom for which the United States stand.
holy shit, I'm from Canada and I had no idea you guys had to say this thing every single day.
...and yes, it does extremely sound like you're being brainwashed.
I say it because, I mean, it's the least you can do for your country.
It's kinda funny though cuz sometimes we don't hear it over the intercom cuz we're being loud, but if we do we all stand up and start saying it even if it's in the middle :P
I wasn't aware people had to keep saying it after elementary school. We also used to have to sing the national anthem and My Country 'Tis of Thee at every assembly, and I think it was just so we could learn the songs. I never minded the pledge because I liked memorizing things as a kid, and I was always fascinated in first grade that I had this thing with BIG words memorized.
Every morning. It really is creepy. Everyone is in a robotic state. It's mindless repetition, like you'd see in a movie where the people are being brainwashed.
I go to a public high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. We say the pledge of allegiance every morning during homeroom. And we've done that here since kindergarten.
I think the pledge is a lovely idea. There is nothing wrong with a little patriotism to start your morning. I think us English kids should have to sing the national anthem once a day.
(EpiskeyPM):the purpose is to show loyalty to your country, and respect for those who have given their lives in defense of your right to be as disrespectful towards our flag as you've been.
(EpiskeyPM):both of those would be great things to do. But reciting the pledge is a more indirect way of showing respect. Your suggestions are a direct way of showing respect and support. But I bet if a veteran was present in your class and they didn't say the pledge he/she would feel offended and disrespected.
On an unrelated note: Even the atheists have to sing it >.>
I have forgotten the words by now. :/
It's to show respect and appreciation for you country. It's not a dumb thing to do. How disrespectful and unappreciative of you. It's not that hard to just stand and talk for 20 seconds.
The only thing I disagree with is "under god". The "point" is to shows respect and appreciation for your country. How hard is it to spend 20 seconds of your day to think about something bigger than yourself? America may not be the best country in the world, but I'm grateful I have the privilege to live here.
But if you don't see the point in showing gratefulness, whatever.
think of it this way: how pointless would it be if we had Obama say the Oath of Office everyday? Very. It's an oath. You only need to say it once. Same thing with a pledge. Once we have to say it everyday ot loses its significance.
Yep, we do. :P
I always took saying the pledge in class as an opportunity to mumble through the words and each day I would get just a little louder to see how long it took anyone to notice.
I stopped actually reciting the pledge some time around middle school. Now I just stand while the kid on the loudspeaker says it. I don't think anyone says it, really, except my homeroom teacher.
Personally, I think saying the pledge every morning is really weird.
You are being brainwashed
In its original form it read:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:
"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."
Just some fun facts for you gaiz.
Bellamy was the man who wrote it, by the way...
I've stopped saying it as well. I still know it, of course, but I also know exactly what I respect about my country and don't feel the need to mumble about it every morning. Honestly, I think saying it every day makes it become meaningless.
Also, I dislike the wording of it and find it to be almost hypocritical in some cases.
I like the pledge. It reminds us that we're part of something bigger than a school, or a city, or even a state.
I'll start saying the pledge when everyone in the US has "liberty and justice".
EVERY single day? woah?
I only said it in elementary school. In middle school and high school we never said it. We just spend our time learning... I never really cared if I said it or not. According to some people it was the only time they would ever hear me speak in a day.
As a New Zealander I like how our National Anthem fits into society. It's not a pledge or anything, and we only sing it on special occasions and before sports games. I don't think that one who is born in a country needs to make a pledge to serve that county, however, I believe that is against the principles of freedom for which the United States stand.
holy shit, I'm from Canada and I had no idea you guys had to say this thing every single day.
...and yes, it does extremely sound like you're being brainwashed.
We used to pledge the flag, our state, and the Bible when I was a kid. Now we just say the pledge on Friday's and on holidays.
Just ask the foreign exchange kids.
I say it because, I mean, it's the least you can do for your country.
It's kinda funny though cuz sometimes we don't hear it over the intercom cuz we're being loud, but if we do we all stand up and start saying it even if it's in the middle :P
I wasn't aware people had to keep saying it after elementary school. We also used to have to sing the national anthem and My Country 'Tis of Thee at every assembly, and I think it was just so we could learn the songs. I never minded the pledge because I liked memorizing things as a kid, and I was always fascinated in first grade that I had this thing with BIG words memorized.
No, It dosent sound like we're being brainwashed.
We already are brainwashed.
We don't say that pledge at my school, which is weird because I've said it at every other school I've gone to.
Oh wow, i had no idea americans have to say a pledge every day! They never show it on tv..
Every morning. It really is creepy. Everyone is in a robotic state. It's mindless repetition, like you'd see in a movie where the people are being brainwashed.
Thats scary, what happens if you refuse to do it?
Oh, nothing. I don't say it.
Whoa, whoa, what schools are you going to? I go to school in America and we never say the pledge.
I go to a public high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. We say the pledge of allegiance every morning during homeroom. And we've done that here since kindergarten.
Do you go to a private school? We said it in my school in NY.
I go to a public high school.
Yes that was clear from your comment :P I was asking R_Knight.
Oh...I didn't see that your comment was in reply to someone else's. Awkward
It really does creep me out. :| Every morning from kindergarten to senior year.
I think the pledge is a lovely idea. There is nothing wrong with a little patriotism to start your morning. I think us English kids should have to sing the national anthem once a day.
People from other countries have similar rituals.