Tip, A good piece. I have big problems with the pledge, but the "under God" part is just the tip of the icepick. <g>
First, I hate reciting patriotic jingos by heart. That is reminiscent of Hitler youth. Yes, little kids can choose not to do it. And they can choose to get the crap kicked out of them on the playground, too. Do they have to wear gold stars on their sleeves if they refuse? And to force teachers to do it shows one of many problems with our public school system. Not the biggest problem, by far, but a problem.
Second, I don't like the idea of pledging allegiance to the flag. The country comes second in the doggerel. Say, what? So, if Osama has an American flag, we should follow him obediently because we pledged allegiance to the cloth he is carrying? Far-fetched, I know, but that's the way this pledge could be interpreted.
Third, many religions are opposed to worshipping idols. Does it matter if the idol is of gold or cloth? True, many modern interpreters say the Ten Commandments don't count any more, so their followers can pledge. But I find it funny that many right wing protestants make fun of Catholics for their representative icons, but jump at the chance to talk to the flag. I think Elijah would have a cow.
Fourth, those who fundamentally follow the "book" are not supposed to make pledges or oaths of any kind. This restriction is in The Torah, which both Christianity and Islam affirms as canon. True, it doesn't have the force of the Ten Commandments, but by being forced to pledge, it does force fundamentalists to commit at least a minor sin.
I am not a literal interpreter nor am I a person who follows every statute in the Torah, even in this case. I used to say the pledge when I was a kid. But even then I thought it was odd that supposedly spiritual folks were the ones who most supported it. Then I remembered that most of them don't do a lot of reading of the very scriptures they often quote.
Don't even get me started on coveting my neighbor's ass. <g> |
