"Adults should not try to influence children with their personal conscience."

The quote above is from a school district superintendent angered when a middle school guidance counselor reciting the Pledge of Allegiance changed the "under God" phrase to "under your belief system."

And I thought it was the conservatives who accused liberals of being afraid to teach ethics.

My suggestion is for someone reciting the Pledge to children to drop the "under God" and replace it with "under your or your parents' belief system." I think that will make it clear that anyone attacking the change thinks the role of the state is not just to control children's beliefs, which they might like, but also to supersede the parents' role in instructing their children. Might be a little tougher politically.

(via Washington Monthly)


keywords: politics