For years our school, Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School, has played patriotic recordings before the start of every school day. These recordings included the Hawaii State Song, the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and a recording of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. No one has ever complained. In fact, virtually every parent of students and members of the community have expressed their appreciation for the recordings.
That is, until October of this year when one party decided to complain about it. This party may or may not have children who attend the school and it is not known if this person even lives near enough to the school to hear the recordings every morning. But this person or persons decided to contact our district superintendent and complain and threatened to sue the school.
As a result, the school is no longer allowed to play "God Bless America" or play recordings of or allow students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. OUR rights are now being trumped by a small minded individual or persons. The majority should NOT have to kneel and give up their rights to the minority.
We are asking people to sign this petition so that we can show our school district's superintendent that WE are the voice here and that WE want the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America to return to our school.
The fallacy of "Separation of Church and State" and the First Amendment are not about denying people the expression of their faith or their patriotism. We need to make our voices heard!
Updates
October 25, 2016
I am truly stunned by the level of support this has received from our community. This momentum belongs entirely to you because I never imagined so many people would feel this strongly about our school traditions.
Reached 100 supporters
October 25, 2016
39 Comments
These old practices does not hurt anyone and teaches children to respect the flag and what the flag stands for.
I live right behind the school in Panilolo Estates subdivision and look forward to hearing God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, Hawai'i Pono'i and the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. We the people demand the right to celebrate our God and Our Country in OUR schools and if an idiot doesn't like it then move. You saw the school before you moved in an YOU are the MINORITY. Leave us, THE MAJORITY alone. We have the RIGHT to be Patriotic and God loving more than you. Remember we elect our officials to represent the MAJORITY not an ignorant few.
I live across the street from the school. It isn't disruptive to hear this in the morning! In fact I was proud to know that our children are doing this everyday and in doing so we are giving them a piece of our history in this great state and nation. I am disappointed that we as a community would allow an individual to decide the rights of all. Please bring this back into the school! Give our children the right to know these pieces of our history.
This student could have easily removed him/herself from the room while the others sing God Bless America or say the pledge of allegiance.
This is an American tradition with historical precedence and merit. It is unjust to silence and trample upon the rights to freedom of speech and/or religion of so many because of just one jaded individual. To pursue legal action to silence this tradition only invites equal and opposite legal action in return; someone might need to become aware of that fact.
I think it is very important to teach the children about upholding the Constitution. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the government from not only favoring one religion over another, but also from promoting religion over non-religion. Twenty-five percent of Americans are non-religious. Teaching Christian beliefs in a public school teaches all children to disregard the constitution and worse it forces religious beliefs onto other people's children. If the school would like to celebrate a diverse assortment of religious songs and teachings that would show they are following the law and respecting all of their students rather than favoring the Christian students. Teaching and modeling patriotism is easy to do without conflating it with Christianity. People will claim that a song that says "God bless America" is not a Christian song therefore it should be permitted. . That argument is unpersuasive because #1. "God" is a religious belief which is not permitted to be taught in public school and #2. The many comments and responses to this petition clearly demonstrate that it is Christians who support exposing children in a public school to one religion. Separation of State and Church was actually championed by the Baptists in Virginia when the State religion was then Episcopalian. The Baptists were fighting for true Freedom of Religion and expected the government not to favor one religion over another. This includes non-religion as well.
This makes me sad and angry. Where's our freedom of speech.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
For years our school, Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School, has played patriotic recordings before the start of every school day. These recordings included the Hawaii State Song, the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and a recording of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. No one has ever complained. In fact, virtually every parent of students and members of the community have expressed their appreciation for the recordings.
That is, until October of this year when one party decided to complain about it. This party may or may not have children who attend the school and it is not known if this person even lives near enough to the school to hear the recordings every morning. But this person or persons decided to contact our district superintendent and complain and threatened to sue the school.
As a result, the school is no longer allowed to play "God Bless America" or play recordings of or allow students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. OUR rights are now being trumped by a small minded individual or persons. The majority should NOT have to kneel and give up their rights to the minority.
We are asking people to sign this petition so that we can show our school district's superintendent that WE are the voice here and that WE want the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America to return to our school.
The fallacy of "Separation of Church and State" and the First Amendment are not about denying people the expression of their faith or their patriotism. We need to make our voices heard!
Updates
October 25, 2016
I am truly stunned by the level of support this has received from our community. This momentum belongs entirely to you because I never imagined so many people would feel this strongly about our school traditions.
Reached 100 supporters
October 25, 2016
39 Comments
I am a local taxpayer. My AMERICAN earned dollars support this school that sits on AMERICAN soil. As such, expressions of AMERICAN patriotism should not only be allowed, but encouraged!
These old practices does not hurt anyone and teaches children to respect the flag and what the flag stands for.
I live right behind the school in Panilolo Estates subdivision and look forward to hearing God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, Hawai'i Pono'i and the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. We the people demand the right to celebrate our God and Our Country in OUR schools and if an idiot doesn't like it then move. You saw the school before you moved in an YOU are the MINORITY. Leave us, THE MAJORITY alone. We have the RIGHT to be Patriotic and God loving more than you. Remember we elect our officials to represent the MAJORITY not an ignorant few.
I live across the street from the school. It isn't disruptive to hear this in the morning! In fact I was proud to know that our children are doing this everyday and in doing so we are giving them a piece of our history in this great state and nation. I am disappointed that we as a community would allow an individual to decide the rights of all. Please bring this back into the school! Give our children the right to know these pieces of our history.
This student could have easily removed him/herself from the room while the others sing God Bless America or say the pledge of allegiance.
This is an American tradition with historical precedence and merit. It is unjust to silence and trample upon the rights to freedom of speech and/or religion of so many because of just one jaded individual. To pursue legal action to silence this tradition only invites equal and opposite legal action in return; someone might need to become aware of that fact.
I think it is very important to teach the children about upholding the Constitution. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the government from not only favoring one religion over another, but also from promoting religion over non-religion. Twenty-five percent of Americans are non-religious. Teaching Christian beliefs in a public school teaches all children to disregard the constitution and worse it forces religious beliefs onto other people's children. If the school would like to celebrate a diverse assortment of religious songs and teachings that would show they are following the law and respecting all of their students rather than favoring the Christian students. Teaching and modeling patriotism is easy to do without conflating it with Christianity. People will claim that a song that says "God bless America" is not a Christian song therefore it should be permitted. . That argument is unpersuasive because #1. "God" is a religious belief which is not permitted to be taught in public school and #2. The many comments and responses to this petition clearly demonstrate that it is Christians who support exposing children in a public school to one religion. Separation of State and Church was actually championed by the Baptists in Virginia when the State religion was then Episcopalian. The Baptists were fighting for true Freedom of Religion and expected the government not to favor one religion over another. This includes non-religion as well.
This makes me sad and angry. Where's our freedom of speech.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I am a local taxpayer. My AMERICAN earned dollars support this school that sits on AMERICAN soil. As such, expressions of AMERICAN patriotism should not only be allowed, but encouraged!