http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/19/student-gives-reasons-for-not-standing-during/?newswatch

“I’m an atheist, and I believe the pledge isn’t something toward our nation,” she said. “It’s more like a religious oath, and I believe that if I stand I’m still participating in it.”

I believe it says "one nation under god", not "one god under our nation". what makes her think it is a religious pledge? does she also not use money because it says "In God We Trust"? does she not goto certain hospitals because of their religous affiliation?

A similar situation occurred in Arkansas when a 10-year-old boy refused to stand.

The boy reportedly has an issue with the line “liberty and justice for all,” saying it doesn’t pertain to gays and lesbians.

When asked if her demonstration had any connection to the Arkansas boycott, Westover said it was simply a coincidence, but supported the boy.

“When I read that, I thought he did have a really good point,” Westover said. “Gays and Lesbians don’t have justice.”

Maybe i am interpreting the word "justice" wrong, but i dont believe not being able to get married has anything to do with justice.

I believe the students should have to stand for the pledge.

I don't really care if someone wants to stand for the pledge or not. It's not something worth arguing about.

It should still be said but everyone has the right to not participate. That's the beauty of it.

Yep, on par with the last 2 posts.

If you have something personal, within you, that you feel strongly about that's making you not want to stand....feel free.

I stand, but if you don't, I ain't got no quarrel.

Do you all feel the same way about the national anthem? just curious because i feel they are fairly similar situations.

Yeah, as long as the person isn't going out of their way to be a dick during the anthem I don't care if they stand/sit/hand on heart/salute/whatever.

It's a semi-free country. As long as the pin heads who choose not to stand don't interfere with my right to stand, I can live with it.

West Virginia State Board of Education vs, Barnette (1943) is the applicable Supreme Court Decision in this type of situation.

No problem if people don't want to stand...God knows I've been passed out drunk for my share of national anthems.

haha! Leave it to BS! ^^^

Like somebody else said, I don't care if certain folks don't want to stand...just leave me alone when I do.

F'ing stand up! Yes, it is your "right," but stand up, and show honor to your country, and those who fought for it to be this way. If you are not happy about it, then get the F out!

Anybody has the right to not stand, whether its the pledge or the anthem. Does that mean I won't think they are retarded? Nope, still will think that, but at the same time believe they have the right to choose not to stand.

I could care less, really.

jmog wrote: Anybody has the right to not stand, whether its the pledge or the anthem. Does that mean I won't think they are retarded? Nope, still will think that, but at the same time believe they have the right to choose not to stand.

This. They have the right. But I would still think they are a dumbass.

Plenty of people stand for the pledge and have no idea what any of the words mean. Those are the dumbasses.

This will be difficult to explain but I will try.
This is your country, my country and every America citizen country and there are things that are the fibers of this Great Nation of Ours that make it want it is. One of those fibers is Freedom. But where did that Freedom develop with you or me …No. The vision of our fore father and the founders of this Free Nation prepare the path for us. The pledge or the anthem are statement to all Americans and traditional value placed in words of the idea of Freedom that you now enjoy in
America. Nation Anthem and the Pledge is not about you, your political correctness, your views what you believe to be your freedoms …….it is about Patriotism is love of and/or devotion to one's country. The word comes from the Greek patris, meaning fatherland.

For those of you that except the behavior of not standing or disrespecting the honored traditions of the Nation Anthem and the Pledge. Step out your comfort zone one time or just one second. You may have a better perspective of the importants of those time honored words.
The blood of a few young soldiers have run throw my hands seeing the honor, dedication and pride of those American soldiers can not be meaningless. The founders who face death and persecution gave much. They both fought for the Freedom of America, the sound of the National Anthem and the words of the Pledge that America Freedom has provide for us as reminders of who we are and why.

Adding your ideology of religion or political spin does not cut it …….you and yours have earned nothing, dedicated little and provide much less that those before you. I personally feel humbled to think of all those who have provide for me the freedom I have. Honor the be able respect my countries tradition of Patriotism.
Remain seated and refuse the words we hold dear to America …is the perfect example of what you have done for your country. Stew your rights that you have done little to earn.

Returning home from my Tour of Duty and being able to attend my high school basketball game the National Anthem started. If only some of you could trade me places those few minute you would better understand, feel and experience just a glimpse of what our founding fathers understood to be America Home of the Free and the personal sacrifice of American heroes had to give for the sounds of the National Anthem and the Pledge to be heard.

CenterBHSFan wrote: Like somebody else said, I don't care if certain folks don't want to stand...just leave me alone when I do.

+1.

believer wrote: It's a semi-free country. As long as the pin heads who choose not to stand don't interfere with my right to stand, I can live with it.

this...

Glory Days wrote:

“I’m an atheist, and I believe the pledge isn’t something toward our nation,” she said. “It’s more like a religious oath, and I believe that if I stand I’m still participating in it.”

I believe it says "one nation under god", not "one god under our nation". what makes her think it is a religious pledge? does she also not use money because it says "In God We Trust"? does she not goto certain hospitals because of their religous affiliation?

Actually I think 'one nation under god' is holding god in a higher regard (the nation is under god, not above) than 'one god under our nation'. Which is more of a religious undertone than a patriotic one. That is how it should be in my eyes, but I think your analogy is weak. I understand your point, just think that was not a good way to argue it.

Glory Days wrote:

A similar situation occurred in Arkansas when a 10-year-old boy refused to stand.

The boy reportedly has an issue with the line “liberty and justice for all,” saying it doesn’t pertain to gays and lesbians.

When asked if her demonstration had any connection to the Arkansas boycott, Westover said it was simply a coincidence, but supported the boy.

“When I read that, I thought he did have a really good point,” Westover said. “Gays and Lesbians don’t have justice.”

Maybe i am interpreting the word "justice" wrong, but i dont believe not being able to get married has anything to do with justice.

I believe the students should have to stand for the pledge.

I think that it does. If people were slaves, would they be denied rights and hence, denied justice?

Upper90 wrote: Yep, on par with the last 2 posts.

If you have something personal, within you, that you feel strongly about that's making you not want to stand....feel free.

I stand, but if you don't, I ain't got no quarrel.

This.

believer wrote: It's a semi-free country. As long as the pin heads who choose not to stand don't interfere with my right to stand, I can live with it.

Is someone a Bill O'Reilly fan? LOL

WebFire wrote:

jmog wrote: Anybody has the right to not stand, whether its the pledge or the anthem. Does that mean I won't think they are retarded? Nope, still will think that, but at the same time believe they have the right to choose not to stand.

This. They have the right. But I would still think they are a dumbass.

I agree, but if they want to look like a dumbass, that's their problem.

Students not standing? ...probably more for the attention than actual hard core well thought out beliefs. Like a 10 year old boy has pondered gay and lesbian rights......c'mon...Obviously primed by the parent(s).

These types of issues are more about politeness....even if you have an axe to grind about one of this country's imperfections, you either believe in the overall righteousness of America or you don't. If you don't.... why are you here? Now I'm not saying "if you don't like it, leave"...I'm saying if you really do have a problem with where you are living and the people that live here, wouldn't you be happier somewhere else? It's is a terrible thing to be trapped in a place that you can't stand.

You don't have to agree with everything to be polite and show respect.

Frankly, I could care less if she, or anybody else, stands. There are more important things to worry about.

Glory Days wrote: http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/19/student-gives-reasons-for-not-standing-during/?newswatch

“I’m an atheist, and I believe the pledge isn’t something toward our nation,” she said. “It’s more like a religious oath, and I believe that if I stand I’m still participating in it.”

I believe it says "one nation under god", not "one god under our nation". what makes her think it is a religious pledge? does she also not use money because it says "In God We Trust"? does she not goto certain hospitals because of their religous affiliation?

A similar situation occurred in Arkansas when a 10-year-old boy refused to stand.

The boy reportedly has an issue with the line “liberty and justice for all,” saying it doesn’t pertain to gays and lesbians.

When asked if her demonstration had any connection to the Arkansas boycott, Westover said it was simply a coincidence, but supported the boy.

“When I read that, I thought he did have a really good point,” Westover said. “Gays and Lesbians don’t have justice.”

Maybe i am interpreting the word "justice" wrong, but i dont believe not being able to get married has anything to do with justice.

I believe the students should have to stand for the pledge.

My daughter does not stand for the pledge. I support her decision that she made on her own.

Disrespectful, but this great country gives people the right to be that way.

I would not tolerate it.

If their religion doesn't forbid it...and they still chose to not stand up...I would give them detention,Saturday,etc...