Students who attend a public school that’s paid for by taxpayers should be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with no exception.
To maintain separation of church and state, the pledge should be as follows:
“I pledge allegiance to OUR flag, and to ALL people of the United States of America! And to OUR republic for which we ALL stand, ONE nation, part of ONE world, with liberty and justice for ALL.”
Reasons:
- Fostering National Unity: Reciting the Pledge helps create a shared sense of national identity among students from diverse backgrounds. It promotes unity and a collective understanding of core American values, such as liberty and justice for all.
- Civic Education: Saying the Pledge can serve as a way to introduce young people to the principles of citizenship and the importance of allegiance to democratic ideals. It encourages reflection on the nation’s values and the responsibilities of being an American.
- Respect for Tradition and Sacrifice: The Pledge honors the history of the country and those who have served to protect its freedoms. It reminds students of the sacrifices made by previous generations to uphold the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice.