School has obviously started... How do I know? The Pledge and God belong in school posts have started back up on social media.
My reply to those posts:
1) The Pledge does belong in school, but only if it is recited in the original before it was changed by government vis a vis special interest groups to include a religious connotation. I've blogged about this subject before so I wont rehash but I'll simply repeat: The words "Under God" were added in 1954 by an act of congress to appease a religious special interest group. That is fact folks, look it up.
The original "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." *was* in fact written in 1892 by a Baptist minister (Francis Bellamy) but specifically written to be a quick oath to patriotism and purposely written without socialist and religious suggestions so it could be recited by "every" citizen regardless of their faith, social standing or political beliefs.
So having children recite the Pledge in school? Yes, that should happen; as long as it's the original and not the altered version that can alienate certain students by forcing them to proclaim allegiance to a God that they may not have been raised to worship. Which leads me to my second reply...
2) People are posting that God (and I can only assume they mean a Christian god) belongs in ours schools. I'm sorry to disappoint you all, and I mean no offense to anyone's faith, but NO religion belongs in a tax supported house of learning.
It is written in our very first Amendment of the Constitution that no governmental structure may impede, inhibit or make law regarding religious practice. Matter of fact, it goes on to state that government has no rights to force or prohibit the free exercise thereof which means people are allowed to worship which, if any at all, religious faith or god they so choose in their own life.
By claiming that God (and again, I assume people are referring to a christian god) should be taught in a house of learning (school) that is funded by tax payers, you are essentially taking away someones right to Freedom of Religion.
Religious education should be taught in the home, in the church or a private, religious sponsored house of learning. If you wish your child to be taught religion in school, may I suggest, the third option. That way, you know you are getting what you wish as well as not forcing your beliefs on someone who may not share or wish to share in them.
To force anyone to worship or to force an institution to teach someone an undesired form of worship is tantamount to subjugation; and that is why we have a Bill of Rights in the first place folks. Leaving God out of the schools is not going to change your child's beliefs, in fact it could enhance it by allowing them to experience and learn more of what can be taught in schools without a religious net that the teacher may or may not have passion in.
Bottom Line: Let Teachers do what they have passion for by allowing them to teach your children the Three R's and leave the forth R (Religion) instruction to your Pastor, or more so to you, the parent.
