<Memorizing knowledge is not equivalent to pledging allegiance.

You are, therefore, apparently unaware that children are unable to pledge allegiance. This is reserved for adults, who have learned the Pledge. Even in a court of law, a child of 17 will need the oath against perjury explained in detail before taking a stand, and even then the testimony of a minor remains questionable. They are not old enough to pledge. It is a period of learning and growing.

Do you hold children to their promises? Of course, but with leniency. They have to learn. Sometimes it’s a rough road, but with patience and proper guidance, pledges do eventually become understood.

Regardless, I don't think that a 6 year old is going to get what the words pledging and allegiance mean. Nor that they are swearing an oath that should last them their entire life. People need to be able to decide to do things like this (I'll answer Tom's post on this topic, above). Not be ordered to do them.

You keep dredging up that simple waif, where I am discussing children. This runs up to the age of 17, where one is required parental approval to join the military. Still, unable to take a pledge without adult consent. By the age of 18, the child becomes an adult and should, by this time, either understand the words in the Pledge of Allegiance, or have completely forgotten about it because people were offended that he/she should ever learn it.

I just feel that if I want to make an oath, it's my right. If someone forces me to, then: a) they are a jerk for doing so, and b) the oath will mean very little - forced oaths deserve to be broken. It reminds me of the conversions to Islam/Christianity at sword point that occurred during the crusades.

Are you at least 18 years of age? If so, the choice is entirely your own. Do YOU know The Pledge? If you do and you disagree with it, guess what. That’s your right to do so. You’re an adult, and every adult has the right to agree or disagree with anything he/she wishes. That’s what America is. You can even disagree with the speed limit on the highway. Others may argue the point with you, but it remains your right to do so. You can disagree with the Pledge of Allegiance to the point of overthrowing the government of the United States of America -- but, to quote John Wayne, “You’d better bring your lunch.” It’ll likely be an all-day affair.

Children still need to learn it. The decision cannot be made without knowledge that a choice exists.

The above merely scratch the surface of our heritage, but all is lost if we simply decide to do away with American History as a required class. i wonder how it would fair as a elective liberal-arts course...



You are going off, here. Nothing to do with what I said.





No, but it has everything to do with what I am saying. You can ignore it if you like, but this is where you’re heading as well. History becoming less than what it is.

If you have a problem with empty-headed children, why not see to it they're properly taught?



School involvement and voting on relevant issues, petitioning for changes... It does work.



You lost me completely. I think school is great. American government and history taught in school is great. You are responding as if I made the statement that education is bad.





Oh, it couldn’t have been that difficult. I wasn’t even trying to lose you.

I personally pledge my allegiance to the Constitution and the Amendments. But I'm an adult, and no one coerces me.

Excellent!

Now if only future generations could have the same chance to grow up with knowledge and make there own choices when they reach adulthood.

For the record, my personal pledge is toward helping the world -- but that’s a different discussion,
Dan