When I stood there today, I felt like, why am I doing this? Somehow, I felt like a kid being taught to have allegiance to my country.
Almost like.......I was at a Kingdom Hall.
If you think about it, it's not as if they (teachers, schools, the government) even try to make a case as to why a child would want to "pledge" their "allegiance" to flag or country; instead, they just use social pressure to try and get everyone to conform and pledge without arguing the case pro and con. Insidious nationalism, as opposed to informed patriotism.
This teacher's "case" was because of our post 9-11 country and the war that the kids will be hearing she thinks it's important. Even if that is Her view, she is ultimately Imposing Her View on these kids and their parents.
I still don't pledge allegiance to the flag or the nation for which it stands.
I do stand respectfully and quietly. I even remove my hat, if wearing one. But I refuse to pledge allegiance to anything that is as corruptable as a government....or a religion. I did it once (dedicated myself to the WTS), I'll be damned if I do it again.
I think I am going to talk to my husband tonight about this, because I would much rather teach her to do as you have described. When she gets older and can reason out for herself what her thoughts are on politics and patriotism, then that's fine. But right now? I can honestly say, after doing this today, I doubt I will do it again.
I can understand why it sounds bizarre but I think what they really refer to is what their country stands for rather than the flag itself. They say democracy, truth, justice.
I would like to think my country "stands for" these things you mention Gd. However, lately I really wonder if it does.
Taken from: http://www.newrules.org/voice2004/askdave/24askdave.html
"As to the question of whether any other democratic country today requires students to pledge allegiance to their flag, I've not been able to find one. Barbados has a national pledge that includes allegiance to "my country Barbados and to my flag," but it is not a routine part of the school day. In a recent interview with the New York Times, former Independent Prosecutor Kenneth Starr, was asked this very question. Starr represented the mother of the girl whose father wanted the Supreme Court to strike the words "under God" from the Pledge. When asked, "Do any other countries have a pledge of allegiance to their flags?" Starr answered, "Not to my knowledge.""
Zico: thanks for the link and quote. Raises some more questions as to the nature of the pledge of allegiance.