School Apologizes After Atheist Student 'Intimidated' Into Standing For Pledge Of Allegiance

[trotsky]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/02/pledge-of-allegiance-apology_n_5921126.html

Officials at a Southern California high school have apologized after an atheist student was pressured to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance against his will.

A ninth grade student at Oak Park High School in California's Ventura County said he had attempted to stay seated at his desk while his class recited the pledge. However, the student said his teacher reprimanded him for sitting and "intimidated" him to the point where he felt compelled to stand during the exercise.

After the student contacted the American Humanist Association about the incident, the nonprofit group penned a letter to the school district on the student's behalf, noting that the teacher had violated the student's First Amendment rights by compelling him to say the pledge.

"Under the guise of patriotism, this school authority figure has demonstrated shocking indifference for the very Constitution he claims to deem so sacred," reads the Sept. 29 letter. "We demand that this situation be remedied immediately."

Justice for all... however the ostracism this student will undoubtedly face is damage that cannot be undone.

[Eric J in MN]

1. I'm an atheist, and I find the claim in the Pledge that

...America has "liberty and justice for all" as problematic as the "under God" part.

We should stop asking students to say "the Pledge."

[trotsky]

2. Agreed. n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Asking them is one thing.

Instructing/ordering/requiring it is entirely another.

[Eric J in MN]

5. I don't think students should have to listen to The Pledge every morning.

Even if they don't have to say it.

"The Pledge" isn't a great piece of writing, nor an accurate description of America.

[AtheistCrusader]

6. Fair point.

Especially on the false promises of unity or universal justice.

[NeoGreen]

7. Oaths...

... reminds me of a passage from one of my favorite books:

'Oaths? Oh, you refer to the swearing-in. No. That applies only to lieutenants - you go to the Admiralty and they read you a piece about allegiance and supremacy and utterly renouncing the Pope; you feel very solemn and say "to this I swear" and the chap at the high desk says "and that will be half a guinea", which does rather take away from the effect, you know. But it is only commissioned officers - medical men are appointed by a warrant. You would not object to taking an oath, however,' he said, smiling...

...'No, certainly,' said Stephen. 'I am not an enthusiast. I was brought up by a philosopher, or perhaps I should say a philosophe; and some of his philosophy has stuck to me. He would have called an oath a childish thing - otiose if voluntary and rightly to be evaded or ignored if imposed. For few people today, even among your tarpaulins, are weak enough to believe in Earl Godwin's piece of bread.'

Master and Commander
Patrick O'Brian

...He would have called an oath a childish thing - otiose if voluntary and rightly to be evaded or ignored if imposed.

[FiveGoodMen]

8. As Doug Stanhope said...

The pledge should end:

"...with liberty and justice for all!
Must be 18,
Void where prohibited,
Some restrictions may apply,
Not available in all states."

[Cartoonist]

4. It backfired with me

I went to a Catholic school, therefore I was required to say and do things in which I had no choice in the matter, including the Pledge. I never gave it much thought then. I didn't feel intimidated, but I also never took it seriously. Choosing to do something takes far more commitment than being forced to do something. Now I'm an atheist at odds with my government.

[Act_of_Reparation]

9. Ditto

To quote George RR Martin, "Words are wind."