Letter to the Editor - Pledge of Allegiance

Be the reason your community stays informed—give to local journalism now! Dear Editor, It has come to my attention again that some in this community have their feathers ruffled about my personal decision to not say the Pledge of Allegiance out loud and or to put my hand over my heart during the Pledge. While I am not alone in this decision, I will attempt to educate readers about the many reasons why people choose not to say the pledge. The decision of whether or not to say the Pledge of Allegiance is a personal one, and the reasons behind it are diverse and deeply held. Understanding the various perspectives on this issue is crucial for fostering respectful dialogue and appreciating the complexities of freedom of expression and belief in a diverse society. Individuals choose not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance for a variety of reasons, often rooted in personal convictions, including religious beliefs, concerns about free speech and potential indoctrination, and protests against perceived injustices. 1. Religious objections A prominent example are the Jehovah's Witnesses, whose beliefs preclude swearing loyalty to any power lesser than God. They view saluting the flag or reciting the Pledge as a form of idolatry, a violation of their interpretation of biblical scripture, citing Exodus 20:4,5. This has led to historical legal battles, including the landmark 1943 Supreme Court case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, where the Court affirmed the right to refuse the Pledge on religious grounds. Some individuals from various other religious backgrounds may also have reservations about the phrase "under God" in the Pledge, which was added in 1954 during the Cold War era. This has prompted concerns about the separation of church and state. 2. Compelled speech and freedom of expression First Amendment Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that requiring public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance violates their First Amendment right against compelled speech, meaning the government cannot force individuals to express beliefs they do not hold. Concerns about Indoctrination: Some individuals view the practice, especially when mandated or strongly encouraged in schools, as a form of nationalistic indoctrination or a forced religious exercise. They believe true patriotism should be voluntary and organic, not compelled by the state. 3. Protest and perceived societal injustices Disagreement with National Ideals: Some individuals refuse the Pledge as a form of protest against perceived societal injustices, including racism, sexism, or other issues they believe contradict the ideals of "liberty and justice for all" expressed in the Pledge. Skepticism about the Pledge's Purpose: Some also question the effectiveness and sincerity of the Pledge, arguing that a routine recitation doesn't necessarily foster genuine patriotism and can even cheapen its meaning. The patriotic oath, despite its ubiquity, is not a legal requirement. That is part of a true free county - no indoctrination or forced speech. There is a phrase, 'forced prayer stinks in God's nostrils' by Roger Wiliams, a 17th-century religious and political leader. It expresses his belief that forced religious practices, such as imposed prayer or worship, are offensive to God. This idea was central to his advocacy for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. I encourage everyone to think deeply about this information and about the country in which we live today - with the current administration's bigotry, racism, division, and injustices. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all? Hardly. We've got a long way to go.. My own reason for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag out loud or holding my hand over my heart? That is my own personal business. Among the many reasons listed above, I choose not to do so. This choice makes me no less of a patriot. In fact, that I have that choice makes me love my country even more. Let my life choices for continued volunteerism and service to my community be the measure by which you may judge my patriotism, my steadfast support for the United States Constitution, and this free (for now) democracy. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on the issues, do their research on candidates running for offices at every level, register to vote, and then be sure to show up to vote. Voting is still our right and our duty and the only way to combat the dangerous rise of fascism in this country. Respectfully, Shirley Vermace Decorah, Iowa We want to hear from you! Submit your letter to the editor and join the community discussion.