At school some people will judge you one way or the other for not saying the pledge. Some will think you're cool for "Stickinh it to the man" Other relious people and people who don't understand why will find you weird and unrespectful. What would you do?\n\nJust this year I am in 8th grade. For the first part of the year I would stand up. Then progressing over the year I would just make up my own words to it or just put my hand over my heart and stand. Now after a few boys in my home room have stopped, so do I. I know it sounds like I just want to be cool, but I belive that god in a school is wrong. And worshipping in it too, like we almost do to the flag. I don't get much greif for it because almost all the in my home room are rockers and burn outs who could care less. But it still can become ackward when you are teh only one down and they are up. Just today I stood up to sort my papaers while teh others said the pledge. So not to stand out.\n\nWhat do or would you do?
214176
When I was in HS I stood, but did not recite. I stood to avoid confrontation with my teachers and to avoid drawing attention. \n\nI chose not to recite because the words do not ring true and I felt silly saying it. The god part I could handle, but come on, "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"??? Has anyone seen the news lately... or read a history book EVER!\n\nLet's strive to achieve these things and succeed before we start proclaiming it!
268119
Ever heard the saying:\nWhat you thought you heard me say was not actually what I said?\nI think maybe, in your own excitement for getting this honor, you felt disappointed that he didn't seem as happy as you were? Because truth be told: YOU DID GOOD!!! 2nd place at ANYTHING is nothing to sneeze at (as they say!).\nPerhaps your Dad, as mine, is a perfectionist...and negative to boot: THAT CAN put a damper on ANYTHING!\nMaybe you can show him how MATURE you REALLY ARE by saying something like:\n'I see what you mean about all this Dad and thanks for caring so much!'\nIt just MIGHT make a difference!!\nAlso, does he have any suggestions to how you can go about being more serious (in his eyes) with these other things?\nSometimes, as the Bible says: 'a soft answer turns away wrath' And that is so true!\nMaybe asking him gently what EXACTLY you could do to make him proud of you would do the trick?\nIn the meantime, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HONORS!!\nGiant hugs,\nMarlene
86546
The pledge did not include the phrase "Under God" originally.  That phrase was added in the 1950's during one of the most shameful periods of paranoia in American history.  Perhaps you've heard of it, it's called the McCarthy Era.  The pledge was good enough for this country for a very long time before "Under God" was added.  What happened in the 1950's to necessitate a change?  Oh, that's right, we started hating other people for not believing in  God, that's what happened.  \n\nNo, I think that letting a small minority of believers add the phrase in the first place was a huge mistake.  It should go along with the rest of the pledge.  The US is one of a few countries to demand that people affirm their allegiance to the country and it's flag  almost constantly.
222314
Wear it on your sleeve (Christian sayings t-shirts).  Wear a cross around your neck (my husband wears a cross), put one on your keys (I do this), go to a Christian club (I went to Campus Christians), etc.  Some people pass out Salvation tracks.  This is kind of annoying, though.  I do for Halloween trick-or-treaters, but not the general public.  Pray at meal time.  That always looks good!  When people tell me their problems, I say that I'll pray for them, & I do!  I am smart enough to know that studying is not enough!  I pray when I study & when about to take a test.  If I drove a car back then, I would have offered to be the designated driver.  I went out with the party kids, but I never did drink or smoke.  I really stand out, even at church.  If something is going on that I know is clearly Biblically wrong, I refuse to participate, & the others notice!  One cannot just assume that if something happens at church that it is ok.  I have pretty stong convictions!  I am not easily swayed by the crowd.  If you do any charity work, mention it.  Like, I made over 70 lap quilts & gave them out to the elderly in nursing homes.  Surely you've also done something to help out a charity or two in your life.  It doesn't have to be a Christian charity, either!  Like, I donated my hair twice so far for Locks of Love.
12733
Since I don't really believe in God, I think the pledge should be restored to its original form, with the reference to God omitted.\n\nI disagree that this nation is under God.  I believe that it is under the people.  \n\nI also think it is wrong to suggest that in order to pledge your allegiance to your country, you have to also pledge that your country is subservient to God.  Our nation's power derives from the people, not the supernatural.\n\nAnd if certain people have to opt out of the pledge because they object to religous references, then the word indivisible doesn't really mean much, does it?
308227
I totally agree with you!!  That is exactly what my husband, son, and I did just a week before the war started--we held a Support Rally for the Troops, at out State Capital.  It was neither for, nor against the war--rather to tell the men and women about to answer their calls to duty that we were here to stand behind them and support them.  There had been so many protests on TV, high school walk-outs, teens burning books, and other such atrocities.  We just wanted to let our troops, and their families, know that we were proud and grateful that they were serving our country and protecting our freedom to express our own beliefs.  Ironically, to include the kids who's rights to free education that were being protected, as they were walking out.
136499
Well, I'm not one of those Christians, so I can't really speak for them. If you have sensed that they fear you, I don't get it. I do know some Christians that feel they should disassociate themselves with non-Christians just because they don't have anything in common if they don't even believe in the same God. Also, many families want their kids to be close to other Christians because being around people who believe differently can open up issues that they feel would not come up if they only hang out with Christians. However, only hanging out with kids who go to church won't necessarily keep your kids from sin. Where do you think I learned all of my dirty jokes? (Christian School!) I think, though, that we need to accept those who feel they should be separate....as long as they are the ones to leave the public area instead of them trying to keep others who are different out. Did that make any sense?
669919
I agree with what your saying...I believe that its a conspiracy to bring down our country and what our forefathers wrote in the consitution.  By getting people to stop saying the Pledge of Allegiance and even taking God out of it..is to me the work of  the KKK and other radical groups that have since changed their image.  If we stick together ...those of us that truly believe in the Constitution and  freedom of religion and all that our fallen comrades died for and our forefathers set for us...
550314
Because of the continual decline of our society. The loud voice of the whining few seems to overshadow the quite rumbling of the vast majority. There is little national pride being instilled into our youth today. They do not understand what the flag means and the costs that were paid to provide people with the right to complain about the word God being said during the pledge.
467085
Sounds like an ego problem on your end.\n\nHave you ever heard that "Pride comes before the fall"\n\nTo turn it around sign up people for them help them build their business instead of you Cracking the whip telling them to Row.\n\nTo be first you must be last. To lead you must serve
115895
By my fellow classmates, yeah. Never by teachers.\n\n\nWith the classmate issue... by ninth grade I realized that if I didn't stand up for myself, highschool would be four miserable years of memories... and that I'd be a "victim" for the rest of my life, never standing up for myself.  I finally "stood up" to (Threatend is more like it - I'm ashamed to say) the main instigator of my misery and was never mistreated again.  In fact my friend base by, the time of graduation, was quite large.\n\nNaturally, this taught me that it's okay to stand up for myself.... and that people only mistreat me because I LET them.  And I NEVER tolerate abuse (physical, verbal) from people around me, either toward me or toward others.\n\nI'm not sure if this is what you were looking for.  Hope it helped.
497544
The US Supreme court and virtually every lower court have all consistently ruled that prayer in public school is unconstitutional.\n\nWho's forcing your kids to pray?  Report 'em, they're breaking the law!\n\nFYI, when they say the pledge of allegiance at school, my kids skip the "under god" part, which wasn't added until 1950's anyway as a reactionary measure to "godless communists" during the red scare...:)\n\nPeace.
529961
I don't have a problem with regifting....but give it to someone who will really enjoy it and appreciate it.   Also, give it to someone within a different circle of friends.  If you get something from a friend who is in your school circle and you regift it, give it to someone in your church circle.  Much less chance of being discovered and there will be no hurt feelings.
380558
If you don't want to pledge allegiance to the United States of America,\n\n\nLEAVE,,,,, it is that simple, see how much freedom you get in other countries.\n\nPeace!
444965
Ever hear of the First Amendment.  Banning the Pledge of Allegiance is a violation of free speech.  If you don't want to say it then don't say it.  How can you ban someone from saying the Pledge of Allegiance if they want?  Besides if you don't like your country then leave. If things are so bad here then we don't want you.  They are nothing but a bunch of punk liberals!
300811
in what state do they allow this?\nif what you say is true,then stand up for what you believe in...take your Bible to school,spread His word and when they try and stop you sue the entire school system!\nbut make sure to have all the things you have mentioned documented and find a Christian lawyer!\nAND GET THE PRESS INVOLVED AS SOON AS YOU DO THIS...MAYBE THIS IS A CALLING FROM HIM,AND MAYBE YOU COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE!\nPRAY ON IT
451570
hmmmm wat bout' somethin like...........Christ died to save us from our sins, and teens are abuzing tht privalige just as they abuse everyother one that is handed to them. \n\nPlease dont use that exactlly cuz than u will be commiting plagerizm :(\n\nSome ideas are.. for the end..now fellow classsmates, when you are faced with a tough decision it is easy to make the right choice just think wat would jesus do??\n\nGood luck, Nicole