I got kicked out of class, but not for misbehaving...
- Thread starter Durbkat
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The whole thing is just retarded. Making people pledge and mention God when they don't necessarily believe in it is crazy, and forcing people to is even worse.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
I don't care whether you say the words or not, but you need to stand up and show a little respect for a country where you aren't hauled out of your home and beaten in the middle of the night by government agents, where your dad doesn't mysteriously "disappear" because he disagrees with government policy, where countless Americans have fought and died to give you those freedoms.
You just can't be bothered to stand up? Get over it. Be a rebel somewhere else.
You just can't be bothered to stand up? Get over it. Be a rebel somewhere else.
I think, as long as he stands up... and even if it's just to respect the country he lives in- which is obviously not too bad, because he didn't have to flee to save his life, starve, suffer from thirst...
If he doesn't believe in it, then don't say it. I think that is more open-minded than refusing to show any respect at all.
If he doesn't believe in it, then don't say it. I think that is more open-minded than refusing to show any respect at all.
let me get this straight...you wanted to be an outcast, you were treated as such, and you're wondering if your rights were violated? if so why are you whining about being removed from an activity you wanted no part in to begin with? and at what point do you take responsibility for your own behavior?
the pledge is to help reinforce community. if you want no part in that, no one can force you to do that, and it doesn't sound like anyone did. if i were your teacher i would be upset too, that you weren't man enough to excuse yourself from the activity, and intelligently explain why you needed to do so. having conviction is one thing, intentionally acting disruptive is another.
the pledge is to help reinforce community. if you want no part in that, no one can force you to do that, and it doesn't sound like anyone did. if i were your teacher i would be upset too, that you weren't man enough to excuse yourself from the activity, and intelligently explain why you needed to do so. having conviction is one thing, intentionally acting disruptive is another.
I had a rebellious period in Jr. High where I refused to say the pledge. I would never have dreamed of NOT standing, though. That's nothing to do with being non-American. That's just rude. Stand up. Stretch a little. It's good for you.
As for the "disrespecting authority" thing, it could also be considered "being a disruptive influence" which I can tell you from personal experience, will get you sent off every time.
As for the "disrespecting authority" thing, it could also be considered "being a disruptive influence" which I can tell you from personal experience, will get you sent off every time.
The whole thing is just retarded. Making people pledge and mention God when they don't necessarily believe in it is crazy, and forcing people to is even worse.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
The whole thing is just retarded. Making people pledge and mention God when they don't necessarily believe in it is crazy, and forcing people to is even worse.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
We ALL have to do things we don't want to. Thats life. Teaching kids it is always OK to not do something you don't want to is, well, not preparing them for life.
The last sentence of this statement makes me so mad. I am a Navy veteran, my husband is a Navy veteran, my father was a Navy veteran, my father in law a WWII vet, and my grandfather a WWI vet, my son considering the Marines. Has the ability to show respect for ones country fallen so low that the simple effort of standing for its anthem or showing respect for what its symbol represents become a major effort. If my child - and I have two - EVER said that to me I'd kick their butts from here to the whitehouse and back again. I am just disgusted you ignorant, arrogant little brat...I may get fried for this statement but the more I read you're post the angrier I get. Men and woman gave their lives for the rights you now have, and if you cant respect your country then at least respect the people that gave their lives so you could be a Jacka$$
or make your choice, and deal with the consequences....which there will be. We all have choices--but better be sure this is really something you feel strongly about and then be willing to defend it. If you have no real purpose behind your actions, then you may want to rethink yourself. This applies to all things in life...not just standing for the pledge.
If you are going to challenge a "rule" or "obligation"--be ready to take what is given back to you.
Personally--I agree it is a respect issue. Don't like this country? Try another! See what "punishment' you get for such choices elsewhere. Me thinks you might appreciate this country a bit more.
If you are going to challenge a "rule" or "obligation"--be ready to take what is given back to you.
Personally--I agree it is a respect issue. Don't like this country? Try another! See what "punishment' you get for such choices elsewhere. Me thinks you might appreciate this country a bit more.
we have to stand in our school. I hate it because the pledge freaks me out...so..orderly.
but I do stand.
I just don't really feel american in the first place, as american as I am...I still don't really feel it because with my family its never been a part of my life. I just live here.
I SO agree.
but I do stand.
I just don't really feel american in the first place, as american as I am...I still don't really feel it because with my family its never been a part of my life. I just live here.
The whole thing is just retarded. Making people pledge and mention God when they don't necessarily believe in it is crazy, and forcing people to is even worse.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
For non religious kids, it would be like forcing them to write letters to Santa even when they don't believe anymore
I have no idea how open your teachers are (guessing not much), but maybe you could explain to them why you don't want to stand? I would think that any open-minded person would understand why you don't want to do it, if you have good reasons. But again... most are not.
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to be fair folks remember, age lends perspective and to the young folks here we probably all sound like "those old people" that make the rules and etc...
So I think everyone's points on why standing might be a better alternative than exile rock...I probably wouldn't have thought the same at 14 or 16 y/o
So I think everyone's points on why standing might be a better alternative than exile rock...I probably wouldn't have thought the same at 14 or 16 y/o