Comments on: One nation indivisible, one town torn in two

By: Monika

Monika — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:19:04 +0000

Just another pitiful example of how out of touch with common sense people are. Patriotism is just another tool to divide people instead of uniting them and it certainly wouldn't belong in any school in any other country. Just like God doesn't belong in school or in politics or any government affairs.

People can recite the Pledge of Allegiance or pray to God all they want in the privacy of their own home. It should certainly NOT be made a requirement in any public place. And NOBODY should be made to witness such acts in public either, even if they're not forced to participate. I for one am sick and tired of having people's convictions forced down my throat in this "land of the free".

By: Chris in Sarasota

Chris in Sarasota — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:55:28 +0000

It's easy to put this town down for this argument, but it should be a national conversation – really. Stating "Just don't say it" is completely against the spirit under which this country was founded by Deist founding fathers who wanted NOTHING to do with religion and NO oaths sworn to any government or country. In fact, they risked their lives to come here and build a new life, and fought and died here, FIGHTING AGAINST those very things - God in the government and sworn oaths of allegiance.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:01:06 +0000

Is this town located on another planet? Is this all they have to worry about? They are unaware of the actual problems facing the US and choose to argue over something so stupid!

If you don't want your kids to say the Pledge, fine. If you do want them to say the Pledge, fine. Who cares. Will somebody please send these people a newspaper so they can learn that there is a big world outside of their little snowglobe.

By: Vickie MO.

Vickie MO. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:20:04 +0000

Although, I am not one of them. There are those who worship Satan. They have made him their god of worship. What, if, they wanted to pray to him in the school's, courtroom's, etc.? Our government would have to allow it. "Freedom of Religion." But, would you want your child to be forced to witness such a thing? This is something we should think about. No! I'm not ashamed of my God. But, I do believe in teaching children to pray before leaving their home. And, just because our government has put (God) in our "Pledge of Allegience." And, on our money. Doesn't mean that we are, an "Hollier than Thou" country.

By: Chris, Ohio

Chris, Ohio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:54:08 +0000

This is a pretty pitiful reason to lose friends. In my childrens' school the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every day. I stand with the children and recite the pledge along with them. Every child should learn from grade school on, age appropriate of course, what the Pledge means. Have you ever gone line by line and thought about what it actually means? This is an oath of loyalty to the flag and the nation it represents. If the words "under God" offend your own personal beliefs, don't say them.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:31:57 +0000

While I do agree that this is a pretty stupid argument to lose friends over, I can understand the problem. Half of these children don't even know what the Pledge of Allegiance really means – why are they reciting an oath to a country that doesn't always care about them which is "under" a god they may not believe in? However, I don't see the harm in keeping the Pledge in school – participation optional, of course – and perhaps opening some dialogue about the meaning, purpose, and history of the Pledge. This community can compromise and turn the whole debacle into a learning experience for everyone.

By: Melissa, Los Angeles

Melissa, Los Angeles — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:04:10 +0000

Have we all become so sensitive that we're going to ban things that doesn't apply to ourselves? As an Atheist I pledged my allegiance to the flag everyday as a child and I also wished others Merry Christmas and celebrated Easter (which in my case was all for the egg hunt and chocolate bunnies since I wasn't raised with a religion).

I had one classmate who did not stand up for the Pledge due to religious reasons which was fine by the rest of the class. It takes a minute of the day so let the kids say it if they want.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:05:30 +0000

I think this is just the most ridiculous argument that I have ever heard! What is the big deal in children saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school? It isn't hurting anyone. If those who don't believe in God don't want to say it then they don't have to. But making them all stop saying it just to please a few makes no sense.

We need to stop trying to be so PC with everything.

Cindy...Ga.