Maybe it's just me, but the pledge of allegiance has always sort of creeped me out. A room full of people chanting in unison, covering their heart in a weird salute, promising allegiance to a flag. Ever since I was a teenager it just seemed like some weird dystopian future sort of thing. The "under god" just adds to my dislike of the whole thing.

On one hand, you shouldn't forget history and still support patriotism. On the other, must feel like Nazi - Germany. Main thing is getting over yourself and respecting others choices.

Ozzie, it is required in Texas, also, but at least we pay better that Ok. I'm with the other posters. Yes, the law is unconstitioutional and you would EVENTUALLY win in court, but is it worth the trouble?

But, you'd be on TV and might get discovered!

I would say, not to blow your cover and your gig or build yourself a parachute well before. You would make a lovely, vivacious addition to the celebrity atheist speaker tours, I am not sure that would really pay the bills or buy the life you wanted.

I enjoyed saying the pledge of allegiance every day in school when I was young. My classmates and I always hoped to be chosen to hold the flag in front of all the students on the playground. As an American who has lived abroad for many years, I consider saying the pledge to be important for US unity. Of course students should have the option to sit out of the pledge if they choose, but the pledge is important to be said. On a side note, I am also an educator and I make it a point to not express my political views to students because it is not the place for it. Outside of school, okay, but not in the classroom.

I have and I will always stand up to salute my flag....but I will never say "under god". My students -all- knew I am an Atheist and they never said anything negative about this fact.

I admire you for adhering to your principles. When I've been expected to stand for the pledge as a high school teacher in Texas, I've usually stood but either not recited, or only recited a portion of the pledge. I have occasionally sat, but rarely. If it ever became a problem, the FFRF would help you, and you would likely win your legal case (but such might take a long time, and you might suffer some meanwhile). Your explanation was an excellent one, because separation of church and state is (in addition to being a great idea) a very patriotic reason for not saying a portion of the pledge. I think you will be ok. Keep us posted.

What a rotten situation to find yourself in. I would certainly contact FFRF and tell them about your story. I think the only way to curb a bs requirement such as that would be to elect a President who is willing to reverse that particular law, or at least elect an open minded governor in that state, although I imagine that would be asking for too much from Oklahoma. I wish you the best, and hopefully a remedy will present itself.

How can sitting or taking a knee in schools be against the law? That is so not separation of church and state!

Were u always agnostic/atheist? If not what made u change ur philosophy? Just curious.

I really would like to meet you, especially since ur a smoker. Believe it or not, it's beginning to be a deal breaker for some!!! Ugh!!!! LOL

Great pics by the way. U r really easy on the eyes!!! LMAO

It's a horrible situation. The 'moment of silence' is like torture for most kids. You can't legislate people into believing, geez.

More power to the teachers that struggle through.