Yes, I taughted my children it - the first one. We would recite it everyday before school started up until 6th grade when they went to video, but they continue to do so with the video.
Yes I taught my boys the pledge of allegiance, we did the one with Under God in it, I also taught them the pledge to the christian flag and the bible. I did it not only to tech respect, but also it was a great memorization activity.
I like the 1954 version. I believe that God should always be and important aspect in our lives. I feel this version should not just be said, but believed.
I knew that about JWs, SeekTruth...and I must say it is an interesting view. I know I always thought it odd that in AWANA the kids would pledge to the American flag and then to this Bible flag. I always thought it was so weird. lol. Thanks for your point of view...I had no idea you were a JW. (I hope using initials are not offensive.)
As a Christian, I don't agree with you. However, I support your right to refuse to say it without punishment or prejudice. I even admire you for standing up for what you believe in. I know I would refuse to recite something that I felt offended my God.
Thank you Ava Rose. I think it is important to say, just I believe in a different form of it. I do want my child to learn all three versions I think the website I listed on one of the other pages does a great job of explination and I might just copy that straight on to a poster with some pictures. I think that showing how something can evolve and change is also important. I really liked seeing all your views on the subject. I didn't know if it was just a PS thing that it was said everyday or if it was an everyone every day sort of thing.
We don't say the pledge. When we teach history I will teach them about it but I don't plan on having them recite it.
I teach it and we recite "under God". I like your idea, StoneFamily, about teaching the different versions. I would probably teach the versions as part of history and continue reciting the pledge with "under God".
Every day we start our school like VBS: Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag (1954), then a patriotic song, the Christian Flag, and a song, and the Bible, and a song, then a prayer. We've been over the Red Skelton explanation of the Pledge a couple of times, and will go over it again every couple of years.
I love the Red Skelton story about the pledge. I had forgotten about it. Thanks for mentioning it. It is just what I need for Monday morning when we start our new school year.
I've taught it to my kids & explained what it means & why people say it. However, I did not make them memorize it & we don't recite it (any version of it). I didn't say it when I was in school & I won't make my kids say it now.
Question: how are we not a republic? Not being snide, just uncertain if my understanding a republic is off. We don't say it, I keep meaning to, keep meaning to get a flag (was going to do it around the 4th), and keep forgetting to get it together. :roll:
Don't say it, not being American & all, & wouldn't say it if we were. Don't do anything similar either. My kid only learnt our anthem when she had to sing it for choir. As a general rule I avoid displays of patriotism. I find them really weird & not very Christian, but that's just me. I think Australians are a little more laid back about this sort of thing generally. Interesting that as homeschoolers people feel the need to teach this. I was under the impression it was a PS thing. Learn something new every day!
I can't speak for anyone else, but I taught it while we were studying Independence Day.Since it's a patriotic holiday, I figured we should cover some of the patriotic stuff. So, we covered the Pledge of Allegiance (& what it means), the first verse of the National Anthem (& what it means), the flag, Statue of Liberty, etc. Dd studied it in 1st grade (our first year of hsing) & ds studied it this summer (he's in K). I might have them study the patriotic symbols & stuff again when they're older (maybe in high school), but that would be the extent of patriotism being taught in my house.
I don't teach it as patriotism but as history since it is our nations history. My main question seemed to be answered with which version do you teach since most appear to have some tie to God then most teach that version. I was just wondering if any one who didn't believe in god taught an earlier version. Thanks for all your insights.
I don't teach it at home, but think it's an important part of life as an American. I have made a point of making sure that my children understand that it's a ceremonious thing we do to show that we enjoy the freedoms provided us in America and that we would stand up for them in whatever way God would have us do. Mostly, my kids get it through scouting, as well as reciting it weekly during the usual school season at AWANA. So, at least two or three times weekly. :lol: AND, we make it a point of not pausing between "nation" and "under" - there's no comma there! One nation under God, invidisible...
We don't say the pledge at home but my kids learned it and say it when it is necessary. For 4-H we say the pledge and I am about a big a flag waver as there is - so to me, any American who doesn't know the pledge of allegiance is pretty much a communist in my book. LOL... :lol: Since we are starting American History this year I will teach all sorts of patriotic things and I can't wait. I love my country and I'm proud to be an American.
Totally off-topic, but I found the neatest thing today! (Speaking of American History....) I was looking for WWI pictures, and found an e-book. It was mostly a book of drawings done by some guy in the trenches. He was with Stars and Stripes. VERY impressive! Phillip really thought it was cool! http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15937/15937-h/15937-h.htm (Now back to your regularly scheduled Pledge....)
