Patriotism, Pledge of Allegiance, Flag Display

'Patriotism, Pledge of Allegiance, Flag Display'

Friends Select School affirms our exemption from the recent legislation requiring the display of the American flag and mandatory recitation of the pledge of allegiance as it is in direct conflict with the religious principles and commitments of the Religious Society of Friends, on which the school is based.

The Friends Select School community understands and values citizenship. Part of being a U.S. citizen is to incorporate the values of freedom, democracy, respect for others and responsibility and to express those values in direct ways both individually and collectively. A key belief of Friends is that the presence of God exists in each person and Friends have historically sought to honor God before honoring human institutions.

Physical symbols such as flags and crosses or verbal symbols such as oaths and pledges are seen as placing institutions before God, and are not present in Friends' meeting houses or schools.