attack!!!!
Gah.
I don't even know what we were discussing in the first place, but over dinner, my aunt, mother and I got into an argument about the pledge of allegiance. We were originally talking about prayer in school -- I am against allotting time for it, but if one wishes to do it out of class, whatever. Then I think my mother said (sarcastically) that next they're going to take out the "Pledge of Allegiance".
I mentioned that people don't have to say it -- its not required -- and that half my IB class doesnt say it: myself included. They exploded -- my aunt moreso. The US has the most freedoms, things like that...In other countries, you wouldnt be allowed to go to school, you'd be killed for saying anything like this, etc. My Aunt said that she thinks that all people who don't say the pledge should be shipped off to Afghanistan for a year and see how they like it. I mentioned that even though America might be one of the most free of the developed countries, the freedom isn't perfect. They shot back, what freedom do you want? I answered, well, gay marriage for one. My mom asked, for you? I said just in general. My aunts like, well, at least they can get married in Vermont. I told her no, civil unions are not the same as marriage, and tried to explain the differences in legal rights, but she ran over what I tried to say, saying marriage is between a man and a woman, not a man and a man. Thats what our country was founded on, on Christianity. I replied, no, freedom of religion. Anyway, the majority of the founders of the country were Deists, NOT Christians. She didnt respond to that. But they were really *mreow* about it. My aunt especially. She's very against liberals, apparently -- had no idea before now.
I was really quiet after that -- some of the kids came in, and the subject changed. My mom talked to me later, and asked if I was ok, and that this is a topic I should avoid because of the reaction. I asked her why she attacked me then. She said she was just surprised, she wouldnt have expected me to not say the pledge. I was right next to my aunt at the time, so I typed up my reasoning for it -- reasoning that she probably would accept.
This is it.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands-- one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Translation:
I promise loyalty to the flag and the republic it represents, which is an undivisible nation of God that provides liberty and justice for all.
I don't believe that all of this is true, so promising loyalty to a concept that we do not agree with doesn't feel right (is against our ethics). I refuse to make promises, in general, especially not until I understand and completely agree with what I'm agreeing to. So yes, I most likely will understand and agree when I'm older, but I'm not at that point yet.
>>>>>
I thought I'd post this now (i'm still sitting b/w my mom and my aunt, but they're looking at pics on my aunts laptop)...
I don't even know what we were discussing in the first place, but over dinner, my aunt, mother and I got into an argument about the pledge of allegiance. We were originally talking about prayer in school -- I am against allotting time for it, but if one wishes to do it out of class, whatever. Then I think my mother said (sarcastically) that next they're going to take out the "Pledge of Allegiance".
I mentioned that people don't have to say it -- its not required -- and that half my IB class doesnt say it: myself included. They exploded -- my aunt moreso. The US has the most freedoms, things like that...In other countries, you wouldnt be allowed to go to school, you'd be killed for saying anything like this, etc. My Aunt said that she thinks that all people who don't say the pledge should be shipped off to Afghanistan for a year and see how they like it. I mentioned that even though America might be one of the most free of the developed countries, the freedom isn't perfect. They shot back, what freedom do you want? I answered, well, gay marriage for one. My mom asked, for you? I said just in general. My aunts like, well, at least they can get married in Vermont. I told her no, civil unions are not the same as marriage, and tried to explain the differences in legal rights, but she ran over what I tried to say, saying marriage is between a man and a woman, not a man and a man. Thats what our country was founded on, on Christianity. I replied, no, freedom of religion. Anyway, the majority of the founders of the country were Deists, NOT Christians. She didnt respond to that. But they were really *mreow* about it. My aunt especially. She's very against liberals, apparently -- had no idea before now.
I was really quiet after that -- some of the kids came in, and the subject changed. My mom talked to me later, and asked if I was ok, and that this is a topic I should avoid because of the reaction. I asked her why she attacked me then. She said she was just surprised, she wouldnt have expected me to not say the pledge. I was right next to my aunt at the time, so I typed up my reasoning for it -- reasoning that she probably would accept.
This is it.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands-- one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Translation:
I promise loyalty to the flag and the republic it represents, which is an undivisible nation of God that provides liberty and justice for all.
I don't believe that all of this is true, so promising loyalty to a concept that we do not agree with doesn't feel right (is against our ethics). I refuse to make promises, in general, especially not until I understand and completely agree with what I'm agreeing to. So yes, I most likely will understand and agree when I'm older, but I'm not at that point yet.
>>>>>
I thought I'd post this now (i'm still sitting b/w my mom and my aunt, but they're looking at pics on my aunts laptop)...