Yup, I’m the same way. A flag is a piece of cloth, and it only has relevance due to the symbolism on it. Sure, be respectful of the freedoms it represents, but at the end of the day, it’s a piece of cloth.
And yeah, I would totally not be comfortable living somewhere like the UK, if only because of the traditions around the crown, royalty, and court and legislative procedure. I’d be civil for sure, but I’m only using reasonable titles. That said, I’m okay with “the honorable” or “your honor,” if it’s referring to someone respected in the community that represents justice under the law. But “your grace” and whatnot are right out, I save that for actual deity.
I guess I find that less bad, but I wish it would instead focus on the concepts in the Constitution, not the flag and Republic. I’d rather rewrite it to something like this:
I pledge allegiance to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, and the values therein, of liberty and justice for all.
That reminds me, I need to ask my kids if they’re forced to do that. They go to a charter school, and I don’t remember seeing a flag in each room. But our state is quite conservative, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was still a thing. That said, they’re minors, so any pledge cannot, by definition, be binding in any way.
Yup, I’m the same way. A flag is a piece of cloth, and it only has relevance due to the symbolism on it. Sure, be respectful of the freedoms it represents, but at the end of the day, it’s a piece of cloth.
And yeah, I would totally not be comfortable living somewhere like the UK, if only because of the traditions around the crown, royalty, and court and legislative procedure. I’d be civil for sure, but I’m only using reasonable titles. That said, I’m okay with “the honorable” or “your honor,” if it’s referring to someone respected in the community that represents justice under the law. But “your grace” and whatnot are right out, I save that for actual deity.
Do you think people in the UK have to greet royalty every other week or something? I’ve lived here for 34 years and it’s never come up.
Oh, I’m sure you’re constantly tripping over royalty over there. 😁
But seriously, just the idea of it would bother me, such as:
I just don’t think I can swear allegiance to a king or queen, even if it’s largely symbolic.
just wait until you hear about what kids in the US have to repeat every morning at school…
I guess I find that less bad, but I wish it would instead focus on the concepts in the Constitution, not the flag and Republic. I’d rather rewrite it to something like this:
That reminds me, I need to ask my kids if they’re forced to do that. They go to a charter school, and I don’t remember seeing a flag in each room. But our state is quite conservative, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was still a thing. That said, they’re minors, so any pledge cannot, by definition, be binding in any way.