The nationwide controversy of the inclusion of God in the Pledge of Allegiance has

recently crept into our classrooms.

Shelby County School Board policy 6052, issued on August 16, 2014, states that all Shelby County schools must say the Pledge of Allegiance or play the National Anthem every morning, no questions asked. However, many students and teachers are asking questions.

“One nation, under God.” This is the phrase giving us so much trouble, but why?

Many believe that by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, they are pledging not only to this country but also to God. However, if you look at the pledge itself this is not the case. By saying the Pledge of Allegiance you are pledging to the flag and “to the Republic for which it stands” -nothing more. The rest of the pledge is simply a description of our country.

The meaning of the pledge put aside, many still do not wish to participate in reciting the pledge for an array of reasons.

The issue was brought to White Station’s attention when a member of the Announcement Staff, Quinn Mulroy (11), purposefully mumbled “under God” when saying the pledge in the morning.

“It kind of didn’t occur to me that everyone would hear me over the announcements. I don’t feel comfortable saying it [the pledge] if students don’t know their rights,” Mulroy said.

That’s right. There is more to the new School Board policy than was mentioned previously. Under the School Board policy, your rights as a student or teacher include the right to sit or stand quietly during the pledge if you do not wish to say it. Teachers cannot require their students to participate in any form or fashion.

In reality, though, the Shelby County School Board is asking you to be patriotic, not religious. Think about that when making your choice to sit, stand, recite or be silent.