Here we go again -The Pledge/rather long response/rant . . .

[dradamsapple]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> 
> Richelle wrote:> 
> 
> > 
> > On the same topic, there are people, such as Jehovah's Witness, 
who 
> > don't believe in things like pledging to the flag.  We have 
several 
> > students like that in the school I teach at.  The children simply 
> > stand with the rest of the class, but don't recite the pledge.  I 
> > don't agree with their beliefs, but I don't argue with it 
either.  
> > But we don't discontinue the pledge in the entire class because 
of 
> > it.  HP can work the same way, you don't believe it's appropriate
> > for your child, fine.  But don't take it away from all the others 
> > who want to read it.
> > 
> > Richelle


Anna says;

Yes, Richelle!  I agree!! (Thalia, key phrase: "we don't discontinue 
the pledge in the entire classroom because of it.")
> > 

> 
> bboy_mn:
> 
> I always thought it would be a good idea for those people who didn't
> like the word 'God' in the Pledge, to change it to 'good' when they
> recited it.
> 
> However, our heritage is etched in stone, we could never change
> anything as sacred a The Pledge of Allegiance... or could we?
> 
> The Pledge has actually been changed four times since it was
> originally written (1892, 1923, 1924, & 1954).
> 
> http://www.flagday.org/Pages/StoryofPledge.html
> 
>>>snip<<<
> 
>

Anna again;
Steve, I also feel that the phrasing should be changed.


> 
> As far as Harry Potter and the nut cases who are still protesting 
it,
> I see them as opportunists. People who love nothing so much as the
> sound of their own voice, and revel in the opportunity to see their
> name in the paper (or on the news, etc...). 
> 
> When ever significant religion and religious leader from the
> Archbishop of Canterbury to the Vatican has endorsed J.K. Rowlings
> books as good and moral, there can really be no justification for
> attacking these books or the values they reflect. 
> 
> More so, there is no justification for and every precedence AGAINST
> allowing these people to force their values and misguided beliefs on
> the rest of the world. They have every right to choose; but that 
right
> is to choose for themselves and their families, NOT to choose for me
> and my family, or my community. 
> 
> Poeple who attempt to do things like this are in violation of the 
very
> foundation of the American way of life.
> 
> bboy_mn


Go Steve!!

Yes, Richelle, and Steve, you two have put it in words so much better 
than I could have.  (And no, Thalia, I will not smack you!)

My whole point in mentioning the "California father" was that there 
are probably people "out there" who would not be satisfied with 
having their child 'sit it out', if something was said or done in the 
classroom that infringed on their beliefs (like reading HP, or 
reciting the pledge of allegience.)
(see Steve's mention of "nutcases")
  I don't remember the specifics of this case, but I believe he 
wanted the pledge of allegience banned from the school his daughter 
was attending (please correct me if I'm wrong).  Now, do his rights 
as an athiest overide mine because I want to say the pledge?  I don't 
feel that they do, but he does have a point.
Who then, decides the fate of the pledge? (er, rhetorical question?)

As Steve said, we all have the right to choose and make decisions for 
ourselves and our families (love the USA), and  yes, things like 
religion or lack there of should be taught in the home/church/place 
of worship, etc., and not in schools.
But have we gotten so politically correct that we can't even function 
in the world?   That we can't teach our children to make decisions on 
their own regarding things like religous beliefs? 
 Maybe I'm weird, but I embrace all other religions, and to that, all 
different type of people, and want my children to learn about them, 
so that they can see for themselves what this world is about. And 
from this, I expect them to make their own decisions one day 
regarding their own beliefs, either in God or the next space ship. 
(no offense to those of you who believe in space ships).  And, after 
all, isn't this what going to school all about, to learn about life 
and apply it to your own?

I hope I have clarified the meaning of my original post.
I will shut up now.

Anna . . .(who has probably never posted anything this long before, 
and whose fallen into a political hole and can't get up . . .)  8)