I believe that the question of the start of the universe is a very difficult question to answer. But, we cannot simply assume that because an answer is hard to find, that it is the work of a god. Whenever man simply assumes that a god is the reason behind something, that is when man stops looking for answers. Thus, when we stop looking for answers, our scientific progress slows down. I do not think that the amount of religious scientists is going up. It is going down, if anything. The percentage of youth that are becoming atheists is skyrocketing, and youth today are tomorrow's scientists. I think that we don't know enough yet to try to answer the question of how the universe began. The question predates the answer. We don't even know of all the particles that exist in the universe (such as dark matter which is some sort of non-electromagnetic gravitational particle and dark energy which is a concept used to explain why the universe continues to expand) My personal belief is that the universe is eternal, and goes through a several-billions-of years cycle. Maybe a new particle will be discovered that proves that in several billion years that the universe will start collapsing in on itself. Maybe there is more than just our universe out there. We don't know. We may never know. We might be thinking about things in the totally wrong way.
It negatively affects me because it makes me feel like an outcast, as well as others like me, and other religious people who are not Christian. It is paid for by the government, a SECULAR organization, which is funded by many people who are not Christian.
Anyone who wants school to teach children to be religious is trying to push their own beliefs and agenda onto others. That's not okay.
If you MOVE to America, then we Americans would anticipate you becoming a British AMERICAN, with all the same freedoms afforded to you as any natural born American. Would you still have the freedom to practice your own culture? Yes. But would America expect loyalty from you and your family toward this country? Absolutely. The point of this thread though, is "should religion be PRACTICED in (public) schools".
It is generally understood that "under god" was added to the pledge in the 1950's, and was not a part of the pledge as originally conceived and written. For the record, I am against any sort of pledge or recitation of that sort in schools, as it is pure indoctrination without any sort of understanding, much like what is done to children in other parts of the world, such as in totalitarian regimes that Americans generally disagree with. However, I would consider a compromise, such as the removal of the religious "under god" addition (for grammatical purposes as well). So, for those of you who defend having school children recite the pledge, would you agree to at least remove the "under god" addition?
Tbh, it's all a bit silly, enforcing people to pledge something that they literally do not understand (loyalty to country) at a young age is ridiculous, you could then say any of them that break a law after that is committing treason, as they have pledged their loyalty to country (including all it's laws)
It is because nobody finds it important to teach our children the value of country anymore, that nobody cares about the country anymore. Kids aren't being raised to love America, they are being raised to have no attachment to it whatsoever. It makes it easier when somebody decides they want to step in and take over three generations from now, because nobody will want to stand up for their rights or country. You're grooming the children to be completely alright with no loyalty at all.
zethor, you really think that if people dont say a pledge every day they wont love their country?....
Real values such as love of country cannot be mandated and programed. What of those other values we have, such as freedom of speech and expression, or even the freedom to learn to love America for what it does offer rather than becoming a brainwashed reactionary. If America is worth being revered, there is no need for the pledge. Also, I think demanding the government not force us to recite and pledge, is standing up our rights as an American to freedom of speech and expression. However, you nicely avoided the question: for those of you who defend having school children recite the pledge would you agree to at least remove the "under god" addition?
Firmly believe in powers of separation of church and state. We should teach about religion in school but not practice our religion in school.
We can discuss the aspect of patriotism as it applies to the "Pledge of Allegiance" which is the basis of the OP. Moose, "Under God" is vague. It could apply to any God. The fact that it is still in that pledge, when my 10 year old can now ask me what that means, I can only tell him that some people believe that there is a Devine being that is always watching them and they live their lives to serve him. He says "That's silly, Dad." Yes. I'm raising a Godless hellian. Funny thing is my wife graduated from a Christian School. I was an acolyte in a church up until I was excommunicated for bringing in a Ouiji board to overnight church group. I was 16. The only person excommunicated in my town since the late 1800's. LEGENDARY.
Are not raised to love America? The pledge is basicly brainwashing but ok If you want them to love something let them have a actual reason to love it. People are more likely to stand up for the country if they can form a reason other then idk why I love America. Also if you have to be raised to love something you don't really love it. But king calm put it better.
The nation was founded by people of religious beliefs. It's the baseline of our nation's birth. It shouldn't be changed because people of different creeds and beliefs won't accept it. I'm 3rd generation in America. My great grandparents came here in 1910. When my grandmother was born here and started school my great grandparents said now that we are in America we will speak English. They assimilated because they were proud to be here and wanted to live the American Dream as Americans.