Pledge alternative..."One Nation Under the Flying Spagetti Monster"

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

The sacred Flying Spagetti Monster is the creator of the known universe and is the force behind evolution (aka. Intelligent Design); therefore, it also should be given the appropriate reverence in our country's pledge and monetary slogans.

So, we pray to our beloved FSM for guidance in keeping our country a shining bastion of pasta and meatball...Ramen.

Wikipedia FSM Listing

JB

[Lindacooks]

1. I just want somebody to say 'One Nation under Allah'

I like to see repuke heads explode.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. This is a good argument to use that shuts them right up

I have been using this for years. Whenever anyone says we need prayer in school, I ask if we should pray to Allah before or after we pray to God.

[longship]

2. one nation, between the sheets,...

nt

[BlueEyedSon]

4. Now yer talkin!

[longship]

5. Or, one nation, touched by his noodly appendage,...

nt

[napi21]

6. It's fund to joke here on DU, but I think we should just let this

play out in the courts. I'm old enough to remember when that line was inserted into the Pledge. (AI was in second grad I think!) It really hasn't hurt anyone in all those years, and other than this nut job who's pushing this right now, it's not hurting anybody now either. IF you don't want to say it, don't say it!

Just when we stand a chance to gain credibility in the mid west and maybe even some in the south, you want to pick up this guy's fight and run with it for him? WHY?

Let the courts deal with it. If it gets to the SC and they uphold this circuit cort decision, fine, the world will either thank or blame the SC. Why do you want to get in the middle of it and just get dirty too?

[Bouncy Ball]

11. It's not as simple as just not saying it in some states.

In TX, for instance, as of June of 2003, it's state law that every child and adult who works in a school has to say the pledge, the state pledge and observe one full minute of silence, NO kid is able to just say no thanks. No adult is, either.

[cynatnite]

22. My daughter surprised me tonight...

She said there is a girl at her school who refuses to stand for the pledge. No one has bothered her about it either. This is in red state, TN, too.

That's scary in TX. :scared:

[Bouncy Ball]

25. My daughter had me write a note in both third and fourth grade.

Her argument wasn't with the under God part, but the fact that it's such a serious vow and kids just rattle it off without knowing what it really means and that bothered her. She didn't want to say it. So I wrote the note.

She got a lot of shit from her third grade teacher. We went round and round and I quoted the state statute saying I could write a note to excuse her and had to threaten legal action to get the teacher to stop screaming at her to "SAY IT!"

In fourth grade the teacher gave her less shit; I think she got the history on it from the year before.

When I was growing up, also in Texas, none of us even said any pledge past the first grade. Didn't seem to hurt any of us.

Shrug. She says it this year, so far. I leave it up to her. Though she's going to add "under the flying spaghetti monster" LOL.

[napi21]

23. If that's true, the TX law is Unconstitutional!

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20040826.html

Check the link I posted. This has been argued in other states and struck down in Fed. Court.

Are you sure some nut isn't just trying to promote this in TX but there's really no law that orders it?

Yes, I know. TX is different than most States. I lived there for 6 years! But I also know they try to promote some ideas that are just not true but they, like Shrub, think if they say it often enough, and if enough of 'em say it, you'll believe it too!

[Bouncy Ball]

24. No I am positive.

I have read the statute with my own eyes. It was passed in June of 2003. And yes, it most likely IS unconstitutional, it's just that no one has challenged it in court yet, as they did in Colorado about a year ago with their identical law.

Here it is. Please note there is NO provision for an adult employed by the school district to be excused from the pledge of allegiance, even for religious reasons (Jehovah's Witnesses).

§ 25.082. SCHOOL DAY; PLEDGES<0> OF ALLEGIANCE<0>; MINUTE OF
SILENCE. (a) A school day shall be at least seven hours each day,
including intermissions and recesses.
(b) The board of trustees of each school district shall
require students, once during each school day at each school in the
district, to recite:
(1) the pledge<0> of allegiance<0> to the United States flag
in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Section 4, and its subsequent
amendments; and
(2) the pledge<0> of allegiance<0> to the state flag in
accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 3100, Government Code.
(c) On written request from a student's parent or guardian,
a school district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge<0> of
allegiance<0> under Subsection (b).
(d) The board of trustees of each school district shall
provide for the observance of one minute of silence at each school
in the district following the recitation of the pledges<0> of
allegiance<0> to the United States and Texas flags under Subsection
(b). During the one-minute period, each student may, as the student
chooses, reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent
activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another
student. Each teacher or other school employee in charge of
students during that period shall ensure that each of those
students remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely
to interfere with or distract another student.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 126, § 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1,
2003.

[napi21]

26. Until it is challenged in court, they've covered themselves

with an escape clause.

(c) On written request from a student's parent or guardian,
a school district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge<0> of allegiance


As to the moment of silence, it does not mandate any specific thing must be done, other than be silent.

As I said, TX has alsays been a bit different than the rest of the Country. If it's really a problem, there is the escape clause...with the parents request.

I still think we, as Dems, should let this play out in the courts and not get down in the trench with this Newdow. I heard tonight on the news that he is the one financing the most current suit, probably because he lost his standing last year!

[Bouncy Ball]

29. I'm not getting down in the trenches with anything.

Just pointing out that it's not as simple in a lot of states as just saying "no thanks."

[cynatnite]

28. They need a note from what you posted

On written request from a student's parent or guardian,
a school district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge<0> of
allegiance<0> under Subsection (b).



This one here seems to be really vague. The kid could read a book or look up at the ceiling or something.

(b). During the one-minute period, each student may, as the student
chooses, reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent
activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another
student. Each teacher or other school employee in charge of
students during that period shall ensure that each of those
students remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely
to interfere with or distract another student.

[Bouncy Ball]

30. I can tell you for a fact they'd get in trouble for reading a book.

They are supposed to do this minute of silence standing and I have seen kids get griped out afterwards for trying to read during that time.

[CrispyQ]

7. Ok, I finally have to ask about the

flying spaghetti monster.

?????

[crispini]

10. See the link in OP.

:hi: CrispyQGirl!

[CrispyQ]

33. Good to see you!

Hope you are well!

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

12. Seek and ye shall find...holy carbs and protein masses

Flying Spagetti Monster homepage

JB

[achtung_circus]

13. In reponse to the Kansa School Board

wishing to teach alternatives to evolution the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was born. Good fun, me hearties.

http://www.venganza.org/

It includes an inverse relationship between average global temperature and the number of pirates.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

18. But, please don't be misled by the SPAM schism faction...

Everyone knows that average global temperatures are related to pirate reduction, not increase weight/carbohydrate intake like those SPAM heretics believe.

JB

[globalvillage]

14. You're not a follower?

http://www.venganza.org/

[CrispyQ]

32. I have been converted! ---eom

;)

[crispini]

8. Ramen!

I have been Touched By His Noodly Appendage!

[globalvillage]

16. Parmesanna in the Highest! n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

9. Just told my kid about it.

She's going to start saying that during the pledge. Cracked her up.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

15. Even better...buy her a cool t-shirt to wear to school.

I can recommend the Spreadshirt online vendor. I created my own t-shirt with the FSM logo on the front and the "United Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster" logo on the back. Arrived rather quickly...

FSM Products

[MercutioATC]

31. I got my son the "WWFSMD?" t-shirt.

He loves it.

[SlowDownFast]

17. Argggh! One nation under His noodly appendage, Matie's!

...and shiver me timbers!

[peekaloo]

19. I finally gave in and checked out this site.

:rofl:


Ramen.

[sweetheart]

20. words

one nation under words.

[applegrove]

21. People still have a right to choose what "god" means to them. The

Repukes haven't done away with that have they?

[Meatwad]

27. Ramen to that!