Patriotic Rituals Bind Us

The casual contempt that Cecilia O’Leary and Tony Platt express toward “rituals of patriotism” such as the Pledge of Allegiance has become a sad trend among educators during the past 30 years (Opinion, Nov. 25). They mistakenly believe that the “needs of a multiethnic, polyglot population” do not include a basic sense of unity that often expresses itself in the rituals that they deride.

I was happily surprised recently to find that my son’s first-grade class, which among others includes Asian, Middle Eastern and Latino students, recites the pledge each morning. Hopefully, this ritual will teach them the importance of what they have in common as Americans. I also suspect that they will learn this lesson without sacrificing the uniqueness of their respective backgrounds.

Arthur Willner

Tarzana

*

O’Leary and Platt write that “this new rash of prescribing and orchestrating patriotism is not the answer.” But is there any harm in it? Rituals such as pledging oaths and participating in prayer bring groups of people who share a common cause or belief together.

Even though we are a country of diverse ethnic origins, we are all Americans first. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing our national anthem are time-honored traditions and symbols of the foundation upon which America thrives--that is “liberty and justice for all,” in the “land of the free and the home of the brave”!

Alisa Ross

Irvine

*

As a pantheist I know that I am within and not under God. The current Pledge of Allegiance is not only constitutionally questionable, it is a blasphemy to my faith. Americans should stop using government to force theology on our children. Until we return to our traditional secular pledge, the idea of religious liberty in this country will remain a cruel joke.

Lance Jencks

Costa Mesa

*

Your Nov. 24 editorial opined that “not only does religion strengthen democracy but democracy strengthens religion.” Evidence regarding this symbiosis is scant. What is clear, based on extensive historical and contemporary experience, is that the intermingling of government and religion is highly corrosive to both, and to democracy, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let’s not let the camel’s nose (“under God,” etc.) under the tent be followed by the whole camel (“faith-based initiatives”).

George Tucker

Redondo Beach