10 yr old refuses to Pledge Allegiance

[PHmom]

I would be proud of my child for taking a stand - especially knowing it would cause his classmates to mock and make fun of him. It is easy to go along at that age (or any age, for that matter!) and for him to be so bold is impressive.

[PHmom]

And to steal from Nick Cage in National Treasure - our Founding Fathers were committing treason when they wrote the Declaration of Independence - I have to say I think they would LOVE this kid!

[loaslaen]

Originally Posted by PHmom And to steal from Nick Cage in National Treasure - our Founding Fathers were committing treason when they wrote the Declaration of Independence - I have to say I think they would LOVE this kid!

I doubt that:

At a General Court Martial whereof Colo. Tupper was President (10th March 1778) Lieutt. Enslin 28 of Colo. Malcom's Regiment tried for attempting to commit sodomy , with John Monhort a soldier; Secondly, For Perjury in swearing to false Accounts, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of 5th. Article 18th. Section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to be dismiss'd the service with Infamy. His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with Abhorrence and Detestation of such Infamous Crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the

[beth119]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by nanpete God, I'm scared....

Ok... sooo.... You respect this country, which is a free country... with rights... and you are scared because that kid is EXERCISING his rights....

What were you saying about Communist countries? THEY are the ones who get scared when someone stands up for what they feel is right...

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree. I think the whole pledge thing IS a bit creepy.

Originally Posted by PHmom I would be proud of my child for taking a stand - especially knowing it would cause his classmates to mock and make fun of him. It is easy to go along at that age (or any age, for that matter!) and for him to be so bold is impressive.

Totally agree!

[PHmom]

Originally Posted by loaslaen I doubt that:

Oh puh-leeze - take stuff out of context much?

I meant for standing up for what he believes, nothing more or less. They stood up for what they believed in despite the very distinct possibility of being hanged. This kid is standing up for himself despite being called names which, in middle school, is almost as bad . I made no reference to anyone being gay - just standing up for yourself and what you believe. I would have said the same thing if this kid was referring to just racism or sexism - both of which he did mention as also being problems in this country.

[janestnycrk4]

there is nothing wrong with the the pledge. if you can't pledge allegence to your country then you need to find a new one. future leader my foot. if he has a problem with the word god then he should remember this country was built on religious freedom. for the rest of the year he should be put in in school suspention or better yet send him and his beeming parents to iraq were they can experience what a lack of freedom is realy like.

[beth119]

Originally Posted by janestnycrk4 there is nothing wrong with the the pledge. if you can't pledge allegence to your country then you need to find a new one. future leader my foot. if he has a problem with the word god then he should remember this country was built on religious freedom. for the rest of the year he should be put in in school suspention or better yet send him and his beeming parents to iraq were they can experience what a lack of freedom is realy like.

Religious freedom.. ok, then keep it out of a national chant.

Suspended? Seriously?

If you don't like a chant... IN A FREE COUNTRY... you should leave or be sent to war??

Where is Den and her facist sign?

[warcraftbaby]

Originally Posted by 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.

That's how I always interpreted the last line of the pledge as well, that it meant that the person reciting it was pledging to ensure liberty and justice for all, not that they were pledging that there already WAS liberty and justice for all.

I think he's an intelligent, brave kid, but what he's doing isn't at all unique. I remember many kids who didn't say the pledge when I was in school, and that was quite some time ago. Apparently this kid just had a back asswards sub who didn't realize that it's pretty common now for kids to sit out the pledge, especially for religious reasons.

Respecting this country has nothing to do with reciting the pledge, or ensuring that you stand still as a statue with your hand firmly on your chest for the anthem. It's about doing what's right and trying to keep this country free and just for all and about making it better. Gestures are not the same as actions.

[kval07]

Originally Posted by janestnycrk4 there is nothing wrong with the the pledge. if you can't pledge allegence to your country then you need to find a new one. future leader my foot. if he has a problem with the word god then he should remember this country was built on religious freedom. for the rest of the year he should be put in in school suspention or better yet send him and his beeming parents to iraq were they can experience what a lack of freedom is realy like.

Puh-lease. This PROUD COMBAT VET has no problem with what this kid is doing. Perhaps YOU need to visit Iraq so you can see what not having freedom is really like.

[loaslaen]

Originally Posted by PHmom Oh puh-leeze - take stuff out of context much? I meant for standing up for what he believes, nothing more or less. They stood up for what they believed in despite the very distinct possibility of being hanged. This kid is standing up for himself despite being called names which, in middle school, is almost as bad . I made no reference to anyone being gay - just standing up for yourself and what you believe. I would have said the same thing if this kid was referring to just racism or sexism - both of which he did mention as also being problems in this country.

Maybe if you had said that the quote from the movie seems to apply to him in YOUR opinion, because he is willing to stand up for what he believes, but to say that you think the Founding Fathers would love this kid takes it to an extreme and you can't apply that to their beliefs.

If someone believes that the United States should become part of a Global Government and give up it's sovereignty and everyone in the WORLD should be equal, then they are voicing their opinions, but I doubt it's something the Founding Fathers would LOVE.

I have no problem with someone voicing and standing up for their beliefs, but you can't say that someone else would LOVE them for that, especially if they have contradictory beliefs.