If a person wants to believe something, fine. But, forcing others to believe it is un-American. If you live in Arizona, let your leaders know what you think.

Arizona Republicans Propose Bill That Would Not Allow Atheists To Graduate High School

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/01/25/arizona-republicans-propose-bill-that-would-not-allow-atheists-to-graduate-high-school/

Yeah I'm not clicking that link. Instead, I'll just guess it's the baby boomers doing their best to screw with everything as usual.

The oath seems "over the top a bit" but not really that far from the pledge of allegiance. It doesn't really seem to serve a useful purpose.

what's that got to do with Baby-Boomers?
Do you actually understand the Term?
Hope you Guys will do a better Job when you have to man up!

and probably be unconstitutional too!

Perhaps. But if any of those high school students went to court, would they be required to put their hand on a bible and swear to tell the truth "so help me God"?

they could just Affirm,I think!

Affirmation in law, a declaration made by and allowed to those who conscientiously object to taking an oath (WIKI)

The Constitution states that no Religious Test is required to hold Public Office!
Would be kind of absurd to demand a Religious test for Citizenship by those of whom no Religious Test is required!

Graduation from High School isn't a public office or a test for citizenship. I suppose the goal is to introduce some patriotism into public schools but with today's climate, I am not sure the lawmakers aren't just shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

I still think it would amount to dgree of Citizenship Test,since if you don't take the Oath,you can't graduate,and actually,no matter how hard you studied,and how good your Grades,you'd be automatically relegated to a Second-Class Citizen,with less advantages than those who just barely make the Grades,but take that proposed Oath!
Sure will help to raise the level of Competence in the State and Nation!

its probably a prelude to trying to mandate everyone carry weapons in AZ..

but I cant see how it wouldnt be against the constitution (unless it isnt a law passed 'by congress', which is the actual limitation stated in the constitution)

and I Cant see how you can force people to not only pass their materials to graduate high school but to take a pledge to get the papers which purpose is to reflect that they passed the school work(not to reflect their level of patriotism or religion)

As a christian I am appalled.

Then again, a lot of it appalls me...

I don't see a problem with this. I do have a problem with our employees trying to eradicate American pride, this will hopefully get some kids to think about what it means to be an American, what it means to have pride in your country and make em think that we're not immune to foreign hostilities.

For anyone who didn't want to click on the link, here's the oath:

"I, _______, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge these duties; So help me God."

There's absolutely no reason for this to be a requirement to graduate. It's completely over the top, but that doesn't surprise me coming from Arizona.

Forcing kids to say an oath like that isn't introducing patriotism. At least not real patriotism.

"that I take this obligation freely"






Yeah. Making it mandatory to graduate is exactly how you get children to take an oath 'freely'.

I had to say the pledge of allegiance every day. Many others did too.

Again, forcing kids to say an oath isn't real patriotism.

Can someone tell me what an oath like that mentioned in the OP has to do with education and why it should be said in order to graduate?

That's why it appalls me, kids have a hard enough time graduating.

I would like to see the pledge of allegiance restated though. When I was young it made me feel part of a whole.

It's not an issue of patriotism. It's an issue of religion being forced down the throats of people that don't believe. A high school diploma is a minimum of what's needed to make a living. To deny it simply because of a disagreement of faith is ridicules.