Asking the wrong question...

[Solon]

The focus on the Pledge debate seems to have centered on the father of the child in question. The question that needs to be asked is: What right does the government have to alienate children because of their religion or non-religion? This issue isn't between Atheist and Christians, that simplifies it. Whether the pledge is optional or not, these are children we are talking about, what do other children do to those they view as different? Even the pledge itself is divisive, in that not all children can even recite it without violating their religious beliefs, regardless as to whether it references God or not. To some demonations of Christianity, you cannot recite pledges to anything but God, what about them? Should public schools trump their rights by using the weak argument that it is optional, but the kids bow to peer-pressure? Lacking the respect of others in our Nationalistic fervor, we forget about those who are marginalized for their beliefs. This Melting Pot is leaking and we need to fix that leak.

[Az]

1. Furthermore

Children are in the business of forming their beliefs. They take their experiences and lessons learned and over time develop their own version of what they believe. Exposing them to pressure one way or the other is uncoscionable on the part of the government. This is entirely the control of the parents.

[Solon]

2. True, thank you for bringing that up.

Students should learn about the sciences, reading, writing and arithmetic. No more no less, leave the theological indoctrination to churches, synagogues, and mosques.

[adriennel]

3. I thought the real question was

whether the father has the right to pursue this case since he and the child's mother are currently embroiled in a custody dispute. If he does not have some sort of custody, he can't argue this case upon his daughter's behalf.

[Solon]

4. Why not, unless the custody dispute revolves around paternity

I would agree, but it doesn't, so that doesn't matter. The government has to provide a compelling case that the state has a genuine reason for requiring the pledge in public schools at all.