My daughter actually does not recite the pledge in school at all. Out of respect she does rise with the class, but she came to the conclusion that she didn't like that everyone had to recite it by rote and pretty much none of the kids even know what the words mean. I broke it down for her and she still felt uncomfortable about the drone-like nature of it -- that "everyone just makes this huge promise of faith and says this because you're SUPPOSED to say it but everyone is standing there with their hands to their hearts, speaking words they don't understand and don't mean, daily, because they are told to" -- it just didn't set well with her. She also felt it was too close to worshiping a false idol (she has pretty strong religious views) and so I told her she didn't have to do it, and she was thrilled. The other kids don't get why she doesn't do it "because you're SUPPOSED TO!!!" is what she hears... one even tried to get her in trouble for NOT reciting, though the teacher supported her views (yay!). But you know what? I support her-- I like that she doesn't just do things because someone in authority says you must, but she questions it and makes her own value judgements.
(I'm sure there will be hell to pay someday, that in her teen years I'll regret supporting her free-thinking nature. But for now, I think it's a good thing. ;) )
[Hey Oracle- I like warm blackberries, boysenberries and raspberries with vanilla bean ice cream and dark chocolate shavings. Mmm.]
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branchandroot
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Date: 2006-05-11 03:20 pm (UTC)My daughter actually does not recite the pledge in school at all. Out of respect she does rise with the class, but she came to the conclusion that she didn't like that everyone had to recite it by rote and pretty much none of the kids even know what the words mean. I broke it down for her and she still felt uncomfortable about the drone-like nature of it -- that "everyone just makes this huge promise of faith and says this because you're SUPPOSED to say it but everyone is standing there with their hands to their hearts, speaking words they don't understand and don't mean, daily, because they are told to" -- it just didn't set well with her. She also felt it was too close to worshiping a false idol (she has pretty strong religious views) and so I told her she didn't have to do it, and she was thrilled. The other kids don't get why she doesn't do it "because you're SUPPOSED TO!!!" is what she hears... one even tried to get her in trouble for NOT reciting, though the teacher supported her views (yay!). But you know what? I support her-- I like that she doesn't just do things because someone in authority says you must, but she questions it and makes her own value judgements.
(I'm sure there will be hell to pay someday, that in her teen years I'll regret supporting her free-thinking nature. But for now, I think it's a good thing. ;) )
[Hey Oracle- I like warm blackberries, boysenberries and raspberries with vanilla bean ice cream and dark chocolate shavings. Mmm.]