Just dont know what to say..........

[InletBchDweller]

:roll:


Boulder High students walk out during Pledge, recite own version



BOULDER, Colo.—About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."
The students say the phrase violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
They also say the daily reading of the pledge over the school public address system at the start of the second class takes away from education time and is ignored or mocked by some students.
A state law passed in 2004 requires schools to offer the opportunity to recite the pledge each day but does not require students to participate.
The protesting students, members of the Student Worker Club, want administrators to hold the pledge reading in the auditorium during each of the school's two lunch periods for any students who want to participate.
Otherwise, they said, they plan to walk out each Thursday when the pledge is read and recite their version, which omits the reference to God and adds allegiance to constitutional rights, diversity and freedom, among other things.
"Boulder High has a highly diverse population, not all of whom believe in God, or one God," said Emma Martens, a senior and president of the club, which has about a dozen members.
"We didn't think it was fair for the whole school to have to listen to it. It's almost religious oppression," she said.
Principal Bud Jenkins told the Camera newspaper on its Web site Thursday the pledge will not be moved, but added he was proud of the students for standing up for their beliefs.
It was not immediately clear what discipline, if any, the protesting students would face. ———

 

[Biff]

As I have always believed; The Public School system is the enemy here.........

Very, very sad.......

 

[InletBchDweller]

After being in the public school system for 7 years as teacher I do agree with you Biff. It is a shame the way some schools are run (or not run b/c of parents, kids, personal beliefs, politics)

 

[scooterbug44]

:roll:


Boulder High students walk out during Pledge, recite own version



BOULDER, Colo.?About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."
The students say the phrase violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
They also say the daily reading of the pledge over the school public address system at the start of the second class takes away from education time and is ignored or mocked by some students.
A state law passed in 2004 requires schools to offer the opportunity to recite the pledge each day but does not require students to participate.
The protesting students, members of the Student Worker Club, want administrators to hold the pledge reading in the auditorium during each of the school's two lunch periods for any students who want to participate.
Otherwise, they said, they plan to walk out each Thursday when the pledge is read and recite their version, which omits the reference to God and adds allegiance to constitutional rights, diversity and freedom, among other things.
"Boulder High has a highly diverse population, not all of whom believe in God, or one God," said Emma Martens, a senior and president of the club, which has about a dozen members.
"We didn't think it was fair for the whole school to have to listen to it. It's almost religious oppression," she said.
Principal Bud Jenkins told the Camera newspaper on its Web site Thursday the pledge will not be moved, but added he was proud of the students for standing up for their beliefs.
It was not immediately clear what discipline, if any, the protesting students would face. ???

These kids don't want the Pledge of Allegiance banned, they want it to be at a time and location where 1) participation is voluntary 2) those participating will give it the respect and focus it deserves.

People coming from a majority Christian background or community may not understand just how uncomfortable, or even blasphemous it feels to be forced to participate in other's religious traditions.

The "under God" portion of the pledge that is so devisive was added in the 50s as a dig at the "godless" commies, not because it was an integral part.

 

[Rudyjohn]

These kids don't want the Pledge of Allegiance banned, they want it to be at a time and location where 1) participation is voluntary 2) those participating will give it the respect and focus it deserves.

People coming from a majority Christian background or community may not understand just how uncomfortable, or even blasphemous it feels to be forced to participate in other's religious traditions.

The "under God" portion of the pledge that is so devisive was added in the 50s as a dig at the "godless" commies, not because it was an integral part.

Thanks for having the courage for saying what I wanted to say. In our area, many times Christianity is not the majority. We teach our kids to be more open minded, respectful & inclusive of others' religious beliefs.

 

[Jdarg]

Thanks for having the courage for saying what I wanted to say. In our area, many times Christianity is not the majority. We teach our kids to be more open minded, respectful & inclusive of others' religious beliefs.

Amen to that.;-)

We encourage our kids to say the Pledge, and we say it ourselves, but we don't believe that it should be a mandatory requirement for all people in the U.S. Remember, there are many U.S. citizens that are not Christian.

We don't have a national religion. Where does it say that to be a US citizen, you have to be Christian?

 

[seacrestkristi]

These kids don't want the Pledge of Allegiance banned, they want it to be at a time and location where 1) participation is voluntary 2) those participating will give it the respect and focus it deserves.

People coming from a majority Christian background or community may not understand just how uncomfortable, or even blasphemous it feels to be forced to participate in other's religious traditions.

The "under God" portion of the pledge that is so devisive was added in the 50s as a dig at the "godless" commies, not because it was an integral part.

Very interesting. I never realized that was an add on. Seems easy enough to fix.

 

[Teresa]

Thanks for having the courage for saying what I wanted to say. In our area, many times Christianity is not the majority. We teach our kids to be more open minded, respectful & inclusive of others' religious beliefs.

amen and hallelluia!

this year, in my little one's classroom, the teacher is focusing on history of america and florida. they are making flags and learning the pledge of allegiance (3-6 year olds). all children need to be educated on american traditions - surely. But, the teacher is by no means making the pledge something they will do as part of their school day (as we did growing up). however they will learn about the pledge, its words and the correct way to say it, facing the flag, etc. and I think this is appropriate.

who knew the Pledge has such a history... the pledge was first introduced by a company selling american flags to schools - it was a marketing campaign!

"under God" was first added and adopted by the Knights of Columbus [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance[/ame]

all very interesting.

 

[Jdarg]

amen and hallelluia!

I'm not looking forward to dealing with these religious issues in public school, especially in the south!

But remember, it is our differences that make us special. ;-) The religous issue is just one issue our kids will encounter in school and in the real grownup world. Public school is one big blender of cultural, social, economic, political, racial, educational, and religous issues, which to me is a good thing. I think it is essential for kids to see these differences at a young age, when they are sponges and are easily accepting new ideas and concepts.

Even after a month or so of kindergarten, Kate has told me some sad stories about a few kids in her class with some unfortunate circumstances. She seems to want to be kind to them and help them, and I am proud of her. I went to private school my entire life, and never knew anybody that was less than fortunate until I went to college (and was blown away, but that's another story) so I am happy she is learning how to be sensitive to others less fortunate at a younger age than I did.

Actually, the key here is really not religion. It is about excluding another group of people, thinking that the group being excluded are "lesser" people, which makes the ones doing the excluding feel powerful and big. I don't think Jesus had any of this sheeit in mind when he was telling people to love their neighbor!

 

[Rita]

These kids don't want the Pledge of Allegiance banned, they want it to be at a time and location where 1) participation is voluntary 2) those participating will give it the respect and focus it deserves.

People coming from a majority Christian background or community may not understand just how uncomfortable, or even blasphemous it feels to be forced to participate in other's religious traditions.

The "under God" portion of the pledge that is so devisive was added in the 50s as a dig at the "godless" commies, not because it was an integral part.

Agreed!

:scratch: Hmmm...I wonder what this group of kids would do if they were in Texas where schools also pledge allegiance to the Texas flag.

.