So what are your views on the Pledge of Allegiance?

It is your right not to recite the Pledge. That is what makes this country great. You are able to make that choice without consequences (other than some sideways looks from some offended people). In some countries in this world people do not have the luxury of that choice. In those countries showing disrespect to their country's leaders, anthems and pledges could get them jailed or even killed.

You have the right to not recite the Pledge because of soldiers who fought, killed and died in our country's wars for the last 230 years. When we won our independence from England in the American Revolution, our forefathers started a new form of government. They were geniuses and the proof of that is obvious. The United States of America is a very young country compared to most around the world. Despite our youth, we have risen to be the number one superpower on Earth. That is a testament to the genius and foresight of the Founding Fathers. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are probably the greatest documents ever written in this world's history. It enabled a young country, financially broke and in debt due to The Revolution, to soar to the top in a short period of time.

Our success has enabled us to help other countries all around the world. We are one of the most charitable countries in the world. We send money and aid to numerous struggling countries and when catastrophe strikes somewhere in the world (Haiti most recently), we are always willing to help.

The U.S. was the deciding factor in the victory over the Nazis in WWII. England (our former enemy) would have fallen to Hitler and The Third Reich would have been successful if not for our joining the fight. The world would be a much different place right now if Germany won that war. Millions of soldiers and citizens died during that horrible time in world history but our fight was just. Millions more would have died if the war continued without our help.

This is why I recite the Pledge and stand with hand on heart for the National Anthem. Not because I always agree with our government's policies (because I do not) but because our Republic has proven time and time again that, despite some errors made by idiotic power-hungry politicians, this nation and its citizens always rights the wrongs in the end. The power of the vote is a great privilege and should not be taken for granted. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are always there to back up the citizens. Politicians come and go but the basic fundamentals of democracy will stay; regardless of the fact that some in Washington want to change it.

P.S. - The phrase "under God" in the Pledge was not originally there. It was added in 1954. Not sure why. FYI...I'm agnostic also.

I understood it simply first-rate whilst I was once a child. It was once now not a nasty factor. However at present I have determined that I am now not pledging allegiance to the flag for the reason that the flag is certainly a graven snapshot and I depart that side off. The Republic isn't a graven snapshot. If any one has a hindrance with that, they are able to pass pound sand. I on no account heard of a obstacle both then or now wherein anybody was once pressured to mention it if they didn't consider it.

I have never seen any situation like that. I believe in God but I do not say "to the flag" for personal reasons, not religious ones. Well they are personally religious. If someone does not like that Scr#$ them. Also I am man enough to take a moron getting upset at me. If they want to hit me, I get a choice between suing them or beating them up. Not a bad set of options. You real worried about what morons think? What are you doing *here*? lol

since we don't agree on the pledge i won't bore you with my feelings about. i will comment on your not liking living here

you don't have to agree with everything the government does or doesn't do. but you should appreciate the freedoms you have that you appear to take for granted

in other countries people with views contrary to the government can and have been persecuted by their government. in other countries you can be in serious trouble speaking out against the majority religion

maybe you would like to live in some of the middle east countries where women are still considered second class citizens

maybe you would like china where censorship by the government is still common place

maybe you would like the philippines where the government is trying to stop protests against it

maybe kenya would be more to your liking where historically there seem to outbreaks of violence every five years or so

maybe india with it's caste system and untouchables would be more to your liking

if you don't like living in the usa then i encourage you, when you are old enough, to leave. please go and live in whatever country you can find that does not offend your beliefs. i wish you luck in finding one the will grant you the freedoms you have here

Ignorant , no - Anti-American , yes. Since you're only 15 I won't insult you, but Questions like this disgust me. You are the problem in America.

To each his or her own. Is there any particular country which you really do support? If so, have you tried to move there, or applied for citizenship to same and attempted to renounce the citizenship of the country which you don't believe in? Or do you plan to do so when you are older? Or do you plan on staying in a country you don't believe in, and talking about it? Just curious?

It should be abolished.

And that's not even taking into account the "under god" portion.

Who came up with the idea of six year olds having to pledge their alleigance to anything? They don't even know what they're saying.

Sounds like Fascism to me.

It's pointless jingoist gibberish.