As an elementary student, I never really thought about the Pledge of Allegiance. It was something everyone did, just stand up, put our hands to our chests and sit down when the administrator said to over the intercom. I blindly followed the orders I was given.
At the beginning of junior high, I began to develop my own beliefs and think for myself. I started thinking more about what I was being asked to do. I decided it is against my beliefs to participate in the Pledge.
During first period I no longer say or stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. I sit out the Pledge for a few reasons.
First, I have philosophical, moral and non-religious objections to it. For example, the phrase “…One nation, under God…” not only offends me, but others as well. I do not believe in God and I feel that I, and other non-religious individuals, are being discriminated against because of this line. Not all Americans are religious.
In my opinion not only are non-religious people being discriminated against, but some religious people are as well.
When the Pledge states, “One nation, under God…” whose God is it referring to? Obviously not all of them. The ‘Pledge’ God is singular – what about those Americans who are polytheistic (believe in many Gods)? Does it account for them? I doubt that.
Many people are not aware that the phrase “…under God…” was not even in the original Pledge, written in 1892. That phrase was added to in 1954 as a response to the Communist threat during that time.
I am not only an atheist, but I am also a pacifist and humanist. Because I am a pacifist and humanist, I do not agree with many decisions our government has made in the past and recently, especially the way they are dealing with ISIS and ISIL. As a pacifist and humanist, I do not support the military, nor do I have to. Hence, I do not stand.
It is my right as an American citizen to take a stand by sitting down. Believing in our freedoms means you don’t have to agree with me, but I have the freedom to make this choice.
It is not my intention to offend anyone, just as I am sure you do not stand just to bother me. Your standing doesn’t offend me.
I also have no intention of offending others or changing their beliefs. That is the last thing I want to do. I practice my right to remain seated, as you practice yours to stand.
Written by: KC Warren
