[mrex]

Why is it odd that regulations would require public schools to display the motto of the United States, or the flag of the United States, or any of that? These things seem like exactly what every country does.

[edit - This comment is currently at -2, less than 10 minutes after posting it. HN, you're changing, and not for the better...]

[edit #2 - I don't think this has been a very good thread at all.]

[jamienicol]

It's certainly not normal in my country for schools to display the country's motto or flag, nor do children pledge allegiance to anything. We did sing some hymns though.

[arethuza]

We sang lots of hymns - but being Church of Scotland you weren't allowed to enjoy them.

[mrex]

>It's certainly not normal in my country for schools to display the country's motto or flag

Wow, really? Can I ask what country? In my state it's illegal for the leader of a school to neglect or refuse to display the flag:

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3313.80

...maybe this is a US thing?

[Vespasian]

This may not come as a surprise but Germany is neither doing flags, nor anthem singing or any kind of pledge.

The day begins with "Good morning" - "Good morning Ms/Mr X".

And being a secular country there is no prayer in school either (however there is religion as a school subject if you are a member of one of the major churches (+ sometimes Islam is offered as well)) or ethics if you are not.

[mrex]

Germany is less surprising to me, given the history involved. Based on what I am looking into on Google Maps, however, it hardly seems to be a phenomenon confined to the US, and at least based on my spot checks it seems to be more common than not for public schools to display national flags.

[Vespasian]

Flags are probably somewhat common and I'd say it's a part of US culture to dial these things up to 11. (This is not meant as a sentiment.)

[feet]

>given the history involved.

It's almost like other countries could learn from that history of extreme nationalism. The US especially

[mrex]

We taught the lesson on this, didn't we?

[BrandoElFollito]

A pledge or prayer would be unthinkable in France for instance.

We do not display the French flag in schools (for no particular reason, except that you would need someone to take care of that), you would find Forbes on official buildings.

[dangerface]

Its very much a US thing. Sure other countrys have flags and they like them but Americans really take it to a whole other level. In the uk every school I wen't to had a flag pole but would only fly a flag on special occasions such as sporting events and we would fly sports flags. In America they seem to worship their flag when I see they are scared to let it touch the ground.

From the outside it looks like Americans value the flag more than they value other Americans, in the uk we value brits more than we value the British flag as the flag is just a representation of the people.

[mrex]

>Its very much a US thing

Are you sure? I've done a little bit of spot checking on Google Maps, and I find that national flags are clearly visible outside public schools in:

Canada Mexico Poland South Africa

...all have flags with flagpoles outside public elementary schools.

[GentWhoCodes]

Flags yes, but none of those do flag worship like the USA does.

[dangerface]

Yes I am sure. [0] The first Canadian school I looked at on google maps doesn't even have a flag pole never mind the flag. If this school was in America I would expect it to be burnt out by the end of the day for such a disgusting display.

[0] https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@43.8835313,-79.4254555,3a,75y...

[feet]

So if we add the US that's 5/300+

Sorry, I don't know how many countries exist but that's a pretty tiny percentage

[BreakfastB0b]

We don’t do anything like this in Australia. I can’t imagine being forced every morning to pledge something you’re not old enough to understand.

[Taniwha]

not in NZ either, we sang hymns in school assembly when I was a kid but these days more that half of us don't believe in religion - you have to choose to pay to go to a special school if you want to be taught god stuff, which is as it should be

[Grayskull]

In czech republic state flag is not always displayed. Some schools have picture of president in classrooms but it is more of a rare sight. Also there is a separate subject about topics ranging from state symbols to law creation. so yes it probably is US thing

[mrex]

It's interesting that in the countries where it seems to be less common, everyone assumes that displaying flags outside of schools is a US-only thing, when spot checks of Google Maps seem to suggest that it's relatively common throughout the world.

Americans get a lot of flak for assuming the world looks like their backyard, but maybe this is a case of the reverse?

[vineyardmike]

You want a real answer?

Because it’s a religious motto. It’s not just the national motto.

AND as mentioned by another comment, the specific law in question was explicitly created to push Christianity onto school kids, according to the creators.

And pushing religion on someone in school is against americas stated ideals.

[cafard]

I don't think I've ever seen "In God We Trust" on anything but US currency. I have heard of merchants putting up signs saying "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash", but have never seen such a sign. And I did attend schools that had the pledge of allegiance.

[xorcist]

> These things seem like exactly what every country does

There are other countries to compare yourself with, no need to pick China and Iran.

Very few countries have these types of laws, and it would be straight up unconstitutional in many western democracies.

[arethuza]

I don't remember any flags or mottos from my time at school in Scotland - mind you was a while ago.

[mrex]

I can remember seeing flags in front of schools in every country I've visited, several in the Americas, several in Asia, and several in MENA.