I noticed you skipped over the california link.

also, the pensylvania statute has no opt-out information requirement.




:rotfl:

My wife's an athiest too.

 

Hooray! Mum Sex!

Seriously though, your child doesn't have to say a damn thing. Did you really read the articles? Each one states that individuals have the right not to participate in one way or another. Likewise, the articles state how their laws were shutdown in federal court.

If my son or daughter didn’t want to stand for the pledge and the school officials had a problem with it, my *** would be at their office right after school with serious words. I'd also give my kid a cell phone programmed directly for my phone. "If they make you participate the first thing you do is call Daddy, okay?" I'd be there within the hour with an iron fist.

Hell, I just did this for my sister in regards to my little nephew being told he couldn’t have his blanket during naptime like the rest of the students. Instead, they told him to tuck his knees into his hoodie like some 3rd world bum. I told those ****ing teachers he will have his blanket during naptime, his shoes will be tied and everything ready to go at 5pm sharp. Guess what? It’s like he’s waiting at the bus stop now. My sister can set her watch to him being ready on time.

Liberal parents are such ****ing pansies. Combine this fact with the good ole boy essence they can't stand and you have your problem. Grow a ****ing backbone already and do what you think is right for your kid.

 

Salty wins the prize for stupidest goddamned post of the day.

 

As a good and prudent atheist of long standing I resent attempts by the US government (or anyone else) to force me into religious compliance. There is no god and I don't like being made to pretend there is order to qualify for full citizenship. Even when I was a kid back in the sixties I never said "under god" while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

When I was in high school and looking the draft in the face I resented the Conscientious Objector status that a lot of "religious" folk were granted to keep them out of combat duty. I knew that there were some people who had serious religious objections to the undeclared war in Vietnam and I was fine with that, but I also knew there were plenty of cowards who chose not to fight for their county out of fear and hid under the skirts of religion to keep thems selves out of harms' way. Atheists were not granted C.O. status just because they had merely ethical objections to the war, and so many atheists who served in Vietnam (and previous "wars") died in foxholes defending the rights of Americans to freely practice religion.

As an American, I too would defend to the death the right of any American to practice religion freely, although the government does not respect the right of atheists to not practice religion.

Servicemen in the US military are routinely compelled to swear to protect "god and country." People who testify in court are forced to place their hand on a bible and swear to tell the truth "so help me god." For an atheist, this is religious coercion, plain and simple.

Religious and Masonic symbols abound on US currency and other forms of American iconography. These are some of the many examples illustrating the importance of belief systems in American history and culture. I have no objection to the presence of these symbols, just so long as no one tries to make me to kneel down and pray to an eyeball on top of a pyramid (which is not an appropriate meaning of this symbol, anyway.) In fact, I encourage study of religions and the importance they have in American history and believe this should be taught in public schools. Children benefit from participation in as much of our culture as possible, so I have no objection to the observance of holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Chanukah etc. in public schools. Pagan, Wicken, Jewish, Islamic, Native American, Buddist, or Christian... it doesn't matter.

Just don't try to force me into saying I believe in something when I don't and we'll get along just fine.

 

Did you serve in the military?

 

No way! I pulled draft lottery number 356!!! How about you?

 

I just find it very hypocritical that you'll criticize people who got in the military (draft or volunteer) at all. Regardless of how you look at it they served more than you did even if they only pushed paper or fixed trucks. If you are man enough to criticize their actions than you should have been man enough to volunteer for a country that was obviously in need of your assistance. I'm sure if you're draft number had been pulled though you'd have evaded combat just the same as they did they way you celebrate your lack of participation.

 

I didn't criticize anyone for serving in the military. You are resorting to a lie because you lack a rational reply.

After pulling No. 356 it was entirely my choice to volunteer for military service or not.

 

I never disputed the fact that it was your choice or not to volunteer. I never refered to a lie as you seem to believe. All I am saying is that it is not your place to criticize anyone for evading combat when you made no efforts to go either. Granted, had your number been pulled you could have been man enough to complete the assignment you were given but that was not in the cards so we will never know. The CO clause is there for a reason and for you to criticize others use of it is ironic when you gambled your dedication to your country on a lottery ticket.

 

I was my government that chose to make military service a game show with life or death odds. I certainly did not invent the draft lottery.

Face the facts, I didn't criticize anyone who served in the military, but I certainly criticized the cowards who took advantage of CO status to seek refuge from military service. They took advantage of a status that was established for persons with genuine religious beliefs that were contrary to participation in war. I had no agument with that. I still criticize the fakers who easily took advantage of the CO status.

 

You're right. What the did was not have been the most ethical thing but regardless they still did serve to some effect. The CO clause must exist for the simple fact that those who do have religious beliefs cannot be denied them. And for the record, far more soldiers died because they felt obligated to give back to a country that has given to them.

 

I must have hit home. And in your case it should be just "damned."

How is my post stupid? I tackled the articles you posted and took at stab at the thousands of parents that would rather pass legislation to trample over the pledge that doesn't offend 95% of the population. Instead, you could sit down with your child's homeroom teacher and tell them how your son, daughter (or in this case you) feel about them reciting the pledge. 999 times out of 1000 they'll respect your wishes and leave it at that. You make it seem like they'll break out the school rules book and demand an apology as they wrap themselves in the flag. How very ball-less of you.