GVSU Student Senate’s ‘Pledge’ decision bold, forward looking

GVSU Student Senate’s ‘Pledge’ decision bold, forward looking

Jon Seymour
Austin Marsman, a 2018 graduate of Martin High School, was a member of the GVSU Student Senate in the previous academic year.

EDITOR”S NOTE: The following is an opinion by WHS grad Jon Seymour on the decision by the Grand Valley State University Student Senate against saying the Pledge of Allegiance before its meetings:

To the editor:

I am proud of our student senate. We are a nation guided by separation of church and state.

And the reference to God is enough for me to not like it.

Patriotism isn’t measured in how many times you recite the pledge of allegiance. It lies within service to others. It lies within our armed servicemen and women that make grave sacrifices every day.

I love my country, and I believe in what it can be. This is a step toward secularism. My peers made a bold and forward-thinking decision; of which I applaud.

Jon Seymour, Wayland High School Class of 2018

9 Comments

  1. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.- Declaration

    Time is coming.

  2. Basura

    The pledge was devised by Francis Bellamy in 1892. In 1954, the words “under God” were added. Those words are an affront to many Americans, some of whom serve or have served their country and/or communities. That was about the time “in God We Trust” was put onto American currency and coins. We are a diverse nation. Not all of us are theists. We’d do well to keep that in mind.

  3. Don't Tread On Me

    This is what colleges teach now? It is understood by those who helped create the Bill of Rights and U. S. Constitution there is freedom OF religion, not freedom from religion. If you don’t want to say the Pledge of Allegiance before your Student Senate meetings, don’t stand and recite the pledge, but don’t take that right away from others who are not offended to do so.

    Mr. Seymour, your historical education is lacking or confused. Please allow others their right to think freely and act accordingly.

    • Jon Seymour

      I don’t think it’s lacking or confused. I was awarded the history award every year in high school. I received many high honors from Wayland upon graduation in regards to government and history. But I admire you for making that claim. Fun side note, my favorite teachers were conservative, and they had a say in who received those awards.

      During the 50’s, when conservative christian values were forced upon society, we moved away from secularism. I think Grand Valley is just righting wrongs.

      I respect your opinion, I just hope you respect mine.

      • Don't Tread On Me

        Mr. Seymour, I resent your assertion that Christian values were forced on a secular society in the 1950s. Respectfully, this was 45-50 years before you were born. The country at the time was overwhelmingly Christian, as were the first settlers who arrived from England. During the 1950s the threat of communism was at its height, and the “under God” phrase was added in 1954. As you undoubtedly are aware, if you believe in nothing you will fall for anything, as many Americans have.
        It was announced recently that the GVSU senate will not eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance after all. I guess the action you so proudly touted had repercussions with alumni and contributors to the college. Before you cry foul, please be aware there are others who disagree with you and other senate members, and do so by calling the administration and promising to withhold funds if the senate remains steadfast.
        Such is life in college politics. Welcome to the real world, get over it and yourself.

  4. dennis longstreet

    When I went to grade school in the 1960s, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer every day before class. We did not just say the words, we had to know what we said. It does not say “one nation ruled by god” it says “under God.” Freedom and justice for all not just a few
    The thinking of our youth seems to undermine how this country was built. They just care about their views and tot hell with everybody else. It does not work; never will.

  5. Couchman

    Its not what “colleges are teaching now,” but that is a heckuva four word generalization to condemn U.S. colleges for teaching some things that you may not agree with.

    I’m not wild about the “one nation, under God” that was added in 1954 but Eisenhower used that phrase when others were promoting the word Christian or Christian God. However, it’s a state university accepting federal funds and to many GVSU students who are there with all kinds of scholarships, grants and guaranteed loans supplied by the Federal government.

    My opinion is the GVSU student government is leading with its chin on this one and is creating a lot more problems with this stand than it’s solving. There are a lot of more pressing issues from student to faculty ratios, campus security, transportation and others concerns they could address. The extra 45-60 seconds for the Pledge of Allegiance certainly isn’t a time factor.

  6. Lynn Mandaville

    It was clear to me the minute I read this letter to the editor that there would be much in the way of comment. A couple of things strike me. First, I’m SO glad that so far no one has personally attacked the young man who wrote his opinion. His right to speak has been respected. Kudos, readers. Second, I am struck by DTOM’s comment “this is what colleges teach now?” What we are witnessing in this opinion piece is an example of one young man’s coming to a conclusion about an issue after going through a deliberate thought process. In other words, he has used critical thinking skills, skills we try to teach as parents, skills we try to teach in public schools, and skills that should be refined by those who attend college or university. The thoughts and ideas of any young person who has taken time to evaluate a personal position on an issue should be encouraged, especially if we don’t agree with his or her conclusions. That young person will go through that process over and over again throughout life on a myriad of issues, often reversing course over time.
    So little time and effort is given anymore to developing critical thinking skills. So many college syllabi are challenged by parents of incoming freshmen as to alarm the likes of me. And some colleges are caving under the pressure. Controversial books are removed from course requirements because parents don’t want their fragile children exposed to ideas that push back on the status quo. In doing so, they deprive their children of the learning opportunities created by exposure to diverse philosophies and -isms.
    Jon Seymour is one young person who, after weighing opposing ideas, has formed an opinion and has shown the courage to express himself publicly.
    To that I say, keep on thinking and pushing the intellectual envelope.

  7. Because of God, America is the best and kindest nation the world has ever seen. I would encourage you folks to open the Bible and read God’s letter to us. I know you would find explanation as well as peace and understanding.

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