10 yr old refuses to Pledge Allegiance

[hellokittygirl]

This little guy is going places. I really admire him and I'm especially impressed at his reasoning skills at such a young age.

[kval07]

Originally Posted by hellokittygirl This little guy is going places. I really admire him and I'm especially impressed at his reasoning skills at such a young age.

I did laugh out loud though when he told his response to the teacher. So solemn and sincere and then he told her to jump off a bridge (or whatever it was he said).

[nanpete]

I guess the concept of respect is a bigger deal to my DH and me then it is to other people. If this kid was in a communist county where he or his parents couldn't leave, voice an opinion, and/or vote/run for office, then I MIGHT understand. I have always taught my children to honor and respect their country, respect the fact that if they don't like something about it, they can make a difference by their vote or even run for office one day. I would consider this a slap in their grandparents, great grandparents, cousins, uncle's, etc. faces for fighting for or working for their right to be ABLE to work for a change in the laws.

It's like when I tell my children, "I may not always LIKE everything you do, but I will always LOVE you." I certainly don't like every law in this country, but I respect it.

[mxmom99]

this is a country that was built on the freedom to decide for yourself. i don't think kids should be forced to say a pledge that they do not fully agree with, especially since the pledge was written by/for christians (God may not be the same for all americans). kuddos to the parents for raising a THINKER not a follower!

[bigsweetie]

I guess everyone says the pledge for different reasons.

I don't think what he did was bad in any way... but when I, personally, say the part about "with liberty and justice for all." I'm confirming my pledge to the future of this country to STRIVE for those things. I agree with the boy that we DON'T have those things currently but that's why those are the words I feel the most compelled to SHOUT.

That's just my feelings on the pledge though, he obviosly took it to mean we already HAD liberty and justice for all and I can understand why he wouldn't say it.

[momof2inohio]

Originally Posted by mxmom99 this is a country that was built on the freedom to decide for yourself. i don't think kids should be forced to say a pledge that they do not fully agree with, especially since the pledge was written by/for christians (God may not be the same for all americans). kuddos to the parents for raising a THINKER not a follower!

[nanpete]

God, I'm scared....

[Smee]

Oh my goodness. Fear?

It's not like he gave the flag the finger or cursed it. He refused to stand and say some words with which he disagrees. That's pretty ding dang American right there.

[LaLabrowneyes]

Smart boy

[ky9]

That was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

I'm pretty sure when I was 10, I had no idea what gay and lesbian meant.

When I was in Junior High I stopped standing for the pledge of allegiance, but it was because I didn't like being forced to recite something like that. I felt it was brainwashing, and it made me think of **** propaganda. I still kind of feel that way. Any kind of chanting, weather it's in church, a pledge...whatever, makes me edgy.