The Pledge of Allegiance

Do you agree or disagree with the laws as they've been applied to the Pledge? How does the law support or go against your views on the Pledge? Is there anything you would change about the law or the Pledge itself?  Be sure to use specifics from the article to support your ideas.

The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is a multifaceted issue in public schools. The first, and the more legitimate issue in my mind, is whether kids are required to recite the Pledge every day. According to the 1943 decision West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, students are allowed to opt out of the pledge. I entirely agree with this decision. It doesn't infringe on our First Amendment rights. The Pledge should be recited every day as long as it is not forced upon the students. When I was younger, I would always say the pledge because it was just something that happened. The words meant nothing to me. It was a mantra to begin my day at Wilmot Elementary School. I had no objections then. I have no objections now. As long as saying the pledge is voluntary, I think it is legitimate to have a daily recitation in schools. 

Because the Pledge is voluntary, I see the phrase "under God" as benign. Yes, country is separated from state. Yes, the phrase "under God" is talking about God. Yes, the phrase "under God" is in a patriotic slogan of our country. But no, we are not forced to recite the phrase "under God". So what's the big deal? If one is so vehemently against the phrase "under God", why don't they find a new Pledge? I just don't think the phrase "under God" is that big of a dilemma.

I wouldn't change anything about the Pledge of Allegiance. It is a patriotic slogan in our country. I find nothing wrong with the Pledge as long as we can speak it at our own will.