Is The Pledge Of Allegiance Unconstitutional?CLEVELAND, Posted 4:16 p.m. EDT July 9, 2002 -- Many people have criticized and ridiculed a recent appeals court ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional.
Connecting With Kids' Tonya Strong reported that the issue is also being debated among teens.
It's popular to be patriotic, so when the court recently struck down the Pledge of Allegiance, many parents and their children were outraged.
"I think it's kind of crazy," Sam Simmons said.
"I think it's kind of stupid, because it's part of our history," Elaine Kim said.
"If they don't want to say it, they don't have to say it, but I don't think they should just take it out of schools," Dominique Davis said.
But many teens think that the ruling was correct.
"Because our country was founded by the Pilgrims on the fact that they came here for religious freedom from England," Andy Wood said.
"I don't think a kid or anyone in the world should say something that they don't want to say," Kehnam Moren said.
"I feel that the reason it's being blown out of proportion like this is because of Sept. 11 and how we've become more patriotic all of a sudden," Holly Clay said.
Experts said that in light of Sept. 11, agreeing with the 9th Circuit Court is an unpopular opinion to take.
"Part of the reaction, I think, is a reaction to what's going on in our country," said Marsha Sauls, a psychologist. "A situation like this is one where parents can teach their children to have reasonable arguments and be able to discuss the situation, but also give other people a chance to express their opinions and their values."
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