New Pledge of Allegiance in New Jersey School

[mcurrier]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/20/optional-new-jersey-school-pledge-to-continue-despite-parent-complaint/

[daddyo]

We are truly getting dumber as a society...

[JKGlock17]

it sounds more like a form of an alma mater to me, i dont really see a problem with it as long as they allow the kids that want to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance continue with that as well

[JAB]

My problem with it is the pledging of allegiance. I know that we have probably been 'desensitized' to what the words 'pledge allegiance' really mean since that little jingle meant to sell kids' magazines in the late 1800s went 'viral' but take some time to really stop and think about it.

In the feudal system, people (vassals) would swear fealty to a particular lord, king or so on. In doing so, they were making a formal declaration that the noble in question had their (usually unquestioning) devotion and support. They were pledging their allegiance. This was a major tenant of the feudal system and part of the foundation upon which that system, a system of royalty and, ultimately, monarchy was built.

Personally, I don't believe that the Founders - who had fought so hard to escape just such a feudal system of unquestioning devotion and 'fealty' - would have like the idea of 'pledging allegiance' to much of anything. Possibly not even the nation's flag. I certainly think the idea of swearing an oath of fealty (pledging allegiance) to a school district, teachers, etc. would have had them riding some school officials out of town on a rail.

If the schools simply asked students to (voluntarily) stand and say something along the lines of the last half of the 'pledge', something like:

"We promise to respect ourselves and others, to try our best and always be proud of our schools."

then I wouldn't see a problem. Asking anyone, especially school kids, to swear fealty to something like a school district, however, is a problem IMO.

Edited June 20, 2012 by JAB

[TrickyNicky]

My problem with it is the pledging of allegiance. I know that we have probably been 'desensitized' to what the words 'pledge allegiance' really mean since that little jingle meant to sell kids' magazines in the late 1800s went 'viral' but take some time to really stop and think about it.

In the feudal system, people (vassals) would swear fealty to a particular lord, king or so on. In doing so, they were making a formal declaration that the noble in question had their (usually unquestioning) devotion and support. They were pledging their allegiance. This was a major tenant of the feudal system and part of the foundation upon which that system, a system of royalty and, ultimately, monarchy was built.

Personally, I don't believe that the Founders - who had fought so hard to escape just such a feudal system of unquestioning devotion and 'fealty' - would have like the idea of 'pledging allegiance' to much of anything. Possibly not even the nation's flag. I certainly think the idea of swearing an oath of fealty (pledging allegiance) to a school district, teachers, etc. would have had them riding some school officials out of town on a rail.

If the schools simply asked students to (voluntarily) stand and say something along the lines of the last half of the 'pledge', something like:

"We promise to respect ourselves and others, to try our best and always be proud of our schools."

then I wouldn't see a problem. Asking anyone, especially school kids, to swear fealty to something like a school district, however, is a problem IMO.

This +1000.

Unquestioned devotion(fanaticism) to ANYTHING is a dangerous thing IMO.

[Mike.357]

Gimme a break, i see no problem with a pledge to the schools etal.

It should help build a sense of community and local pride.

It is similar to the cub scout promise in ways.

And i am sure someone has bitched about that too.

[JKGlock17]

Gimme a break, i see no problem with a pledge to the schools etal.

It should help build a sense of community and local pride.

It is similar to the cub scout promise in ways.

And i am sure someone has bitched about that too.

i am with you it is kinda what i said in an earlier post

[Murgatroy]

Yeah the headline was misleading. This has nothing to do with the Pledge of Allegiance, this has to do with reciting the school's alma mater. They will still recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. They are not required to recite either.

I think it is being blown out of proportion, and I didn't see a problem with either pledge.

When I was a child I attended over a dozen schools being in a military family. Some schools were different. At one school I attended every morning we said the Pledge, and then sang half a dozen patriotic songs. As a youth, I found it bothersome, but I did it.

I don't have an issue with it, and they don't make it mandatory. Damn straight, that is why I am proud to be an American, we don't force our patriotic beliefs down the throats of those that refuse them. However, I feel that if they can't show love for their country, they need to get their damn hands out of the purse so to speak.

I also think this would be a good time for someone to post the video of Red Skelton's version of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Edited June 21, 2012 by Murgatroy