If I had a kid I would tell him to say "Satan" really loud instead of God during the pledge. I'm not joking either. Students must remember 'God' in Texas pledge http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5020241.html By MELANIE MARKLEY Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Texas students will have four more words to remember when they head back to class this month and begin reciting the state's pledge of allegiance. This year's Legislature added the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge, which is part of a required morning ritual in Texas public schools along with the pledge to the U.S. flag and a moment of silence. State Rep. Debbie Riddle, who sponsored the bill, said it had always bothered her that God was omitted in the state's pledge. "Personally, I felt like the Texas pledge had a big old hole in it, and it occurred to me, 'You know what? We need to fix that,' " said Riddle, R-Tomball. "Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under God, we are one state under God as well." By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating. But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it's unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don't share the same religious beliefs. "Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious." The revised wording in the Texas pledge took effect on June 15, and the Texas Education Agency sent an e-mail reminding school districts about the change earlier this week. Officials with Houston-area districts say they will notify schools and parents about the new requirement. Rebecca Suarez, spokeswoman for the Houston Independent School District, said a letter about the change will be sent home to parents when their children return to school. And a flier with the pledge's revised wording will be sent to each campus before classes start. Texas has had a pledge of allegiance since 1933. In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes. Texas isn't the only state that has its own pledge of allegiance. Other states include Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky. Mississippi and Louisiana mention God in their pledges. And Kentucky lays claim to being blessed with "grace from on High." melanie.markley@chron.com
Somewhere in the middle of that article, I scrolled back up to make sure it wasn't originally from the Onion.
I can't believe people care about this one way or the other. We don't have enough problems in our school system?
people's priorities are normally screwed up. I'm not sure how adding the phrase in there impacts a child one way or the other.
exactly. the addendum is the problem. they are creating a contoversy where none existed. i would absolutely let the school know that my children would not be regurgitating that bogus propaganda.
OH NOOOOO!! what are we going to do.....ohh the shame. get over it. you're in a state where a lot of people believe in god. suck it up and deal with it. Life is about comprimise and trade-offs.
This is silly. from the perspective of a believer, i really don't like these sort of "symbolic" victories that others push for. like some great victory was won for God or believers because of this. instead, it alienates others and causes confusion. for no good reason.
be a sheep, i don't care. also, i don't live in texas, this kind of bull**** is one of the main reasons why. i care deeply for the freedom to live according to my own beliefs. be as religious as you like, i won't hold it against you, just don't expect me to think like you.
don't you know magic has never ever ever ever complained about any government policy on this board. he's a model of cooperation.
I would care. I dont think my child would though. These things are really more aobut adults than the kids themselves. I don't see it benefitting the child in any manner for him to say one state under God. drummer's right, there's way more important issues to take care of.
I'm going to start a private school, and the pledge that the students will have to say will contain the words "one state under Hakeem Olajuwon".
ok be an overreacting blowhard. im not even religious but i realize that most are and by me saying "god" i'm not so insecure nor do i feel threatened in anyway by saying a little word. Sorry if you do.
