How about this solution to "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance that school children have to say?

The Pledge of Allegiance is a form of mind control that has no place in modern societies. The Pledge should be removed.

I can live with that. And something which goes along with that to an extent is the fact that Baha'i parents are expected to teach their children about every religion and then without applying any pressure at all allow their children to make up their own minds which religion to embrace or even to choose not to embrace any religion. I typically do not go around asking other Baha'is if they teach their children about atheism or not as a part of teaching their children about religions in general, but those with whom I have discussed it agree with me that to leave out atheism would leave that child's education on various religions very incomplete.

While I well understand that those who are not Baha'is would find it hard to believe that anyone, Baha'i or otherwise, could actually fairly and dispassionately teach about other religious beliefs, I can assure you that such is exactly the case. And I do indeed know of a couple of cases where the now-grown child of a Baha'i has decided to not embrace any religion at all. To this day, none of them have ever experienced any pressure at all. Not just my opinion, that is what they have themselves stated even when not in the presence of their parents.

Since there are far more followers of religions in this world than there are those who do not believe in God at all, then to not teach a child about various religions and religious views I believe is shortsighted, self-serving and is doing a grave disservice to that child. I believe that children should be fully educated and without being taught about various religions in a manner that does not reveal the bias of the one doing the teaching, then that child's education is very incomplete.

"There are roughly 20 weeks of school in most districts..."

Gee, I don't know where you go to school, but here in California we have 38 weeks. You must be from the bible belt, no wonder kids there are so behind -- they don't get enough school.

Oh, and no -- your solution is just as unconstitutional as the current "under god" is. Government is prohibited from promoting or endorsing ANY religion or belief in any "god." No matter which one it is.

It would never be accepted hence why its current state is unacceptable. Best we might be able to get is "One Nation, Under A Higher Power" and the Christians would treat that like an abhorrent compromise.

I'm confused, are you advocating that we do away with the Pledge all together, that we take "under God" out of it, or that we leave it as it is today?

I'm all for EDUCATING THE KIDS, but I don't see which solution you are proposing.

I was never bullied for not saying it. Most kids don't care. Only those who have been taught that saying the Pledge is a vital thing will frown on those who don't say it. And they are not the majority ;)

One nation under some generic higher power with liberty and justice for those who can afford it.

Seriously, I am against any forms of childhood indoctrination of any type.

Religious or political.

As a child I was even upset that I was being indoctrinated.

I always said I pledge allegiance to the rag of the united states of America.

How about just eliminating what is actually a loyalty oath. Making children swear an oath day after day is brainwashing. Instilling mindless patriotism and obedience to government seems to me to be quite unpatriotic in a free republic.

I'd like to see a Nazi salute when pledging to the flag rather than the hand over the heart. That would be boss.

Yeah I'd vote for skipping the oath altogether. I don't see the point of it.