Posted on 08/02/2007 8:14:32 AM PDT by SConservative
Texas students will have four more words to remember when they head back to class this month and begin reciting the state's pledge of allegiance.
This year's Legislature added the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge, which is part of a required morning ritual in Texas public schools along with the pledge to the U.S. flag and a moment of silence.
State Rep. Debbie Riddle, who sponsored the bill, said it had always bothered her that God was omitted in the state's pledge.
"Personally, I felt like the Texas pledge had a big old hole in it, and it occurred to me, 'You know what? We need to fix that,' " said Riddle, R-Tomball. "Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under God, we are one state under God as well."
By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating.
But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it's unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don't share the same religious beliefs. "Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious."
The revised wording in the Texas pledge took effect on June 15, and the Texas Education Agency sent an e-mail reminding school districts about the change earlier this week.
Officials with Houston-area districts say they will notify schools and parents about the new requirement.
Rebecca Suarez, spokeswoman for the Houston Independent School District, said a letter about the change will be sent home to parents when their children return to school. And a flier with the pledge's revised wording will be sent to each campus before classes start.
Texas has had a pledge of allegiance since 1933. In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.
Texas isn't the only state that has its own pledge of allegiance. Other states include Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky.
Mississippi and Louisiana mention God in their pledges. And Kentucky lays claim to being blessed with "grace from on High."
As the song says: “God blessed Texas”.
Wow. Being about the only native Texan in the city I live in, Frisco, the transplants from Cali and Jersey will find this disturbing. They already comment on the fact that we say it at all every morning after the Pledge of Allegiance. This will be an added bonus for me. I think its fantastic.
My eldest son was substituting in the high school French class and they said the pledge in French......he made them say it over again in English....
one does not argue with a recently commissioned Marine
That song is about women in swimsuits. Just watch the video ;)
Hey Friscan....I’m a former NYer...a lot of conservatives are ex-liberals.... hopefully the exposure to some semblance of conservatism may change some liberal minds.
Then again..some are branded with the disease. Conservative Texans must be vigilant against the influx of new liberals coming in. Agggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Trust me...it HURT BAD for the Houston Chronicle to publish this story.
The Chron is the most liberal, anti-God, bird cage lining paper in the state of Texas.
You are so right. The political landscape could most definetly change if we are not vigilant.
Impressive!
“one nation under God” was not added to the national pledge until the 50s.
I’m not opposed to it being there, just pointing out some historical accurracy.
Barry Lynn would prefer this to be our national anthem:
Godless Philosophy
To the tune of “God Bless America”
Godless philosophy, pointless for me,
None to cause us, but Cosmos–
All that is, was, and ever shall be.
From the big bang, to the slime soup,
To the heat death, dark and old:
Godless philosophy, it leaves me cold;
Godless philosophy, it leaves me cold.
Keep this in mind.
The bible is full of stories of the israelites screwing up, then repenting of their behavior as things fall apart around them because God withdraws his protection and blessings.
Putting God back into daily life and the fabric of our society will fix things faster than any other thing we can possibly do.
This is fantastic news and will be the first of many victories for the good guys....
Patience, faith and keep up the fight.
While I don’t care that y’all put God in your Pledge, I DO care that, as reported, students are required “by law” to say it....unless they get a note from home.
Something about “Congress shall make no law....” comes to mind.
(asbestos suit on)
I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend His cause;
Maintain the honor of His Word,
The glory of His cross.
Jesus, my God! I know His Name,
His Name is all my trust;
Nor will He put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.
Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.
Then will He own my worthless name
Before His Father’s face,
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.
“Something about “Congress shall make no law....” comes to mind.”
Read the article, Congress was not involved in any way.
Check context. This is about Texas, not the Federal Congress.
“Trust me...it HURT BAD for the Houston Chronicle to publish this story.
The Chron is the most liberal, anti-God, bird cage lining paper in the state of Texas.”
LOL. And ain’t that the truth!
States cannot choose to abrogate rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Or are you saying that Texas is immune from the Bill of Rights?
As I said, God blessed Texas.
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