Sweeny ISD (Texas) Students May Sit During the Pledge

Main Entry: al·le·giance
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English aligeaunce, from Anglo-French allegeance, alteration of ligeance, from lige liege
Date: 14th century
1 a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides
2 : devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

As you can see there are two very different senses to the word. The first (and most common) relates to ones relationship to government. This is the sense that is meant when one says "my only allegiance is to God". It's the meaning that is about "lieges" - those who hold rule over us.

The allegiance one might have toward a wife, for example, is a different sense of this word.

Hence your argument revolves around a fallacy of ambiguity...not to mention the ad hominem fallacy. Jaigner's position is perfectly consistent and you certainly have no basis for questioning their character or motives.

 

FWIW affirming is simply another way of saying "yes".

 

Why are they different words? Why does taking an "affirmation" under law subject one to penalty of perjury? If called as a witness in court, does the clerk ask "Are you gonna tell the truth?" and you can say 'yeah' or 'nope?' And if you add a word such as "solemnly," that would be something 'more,' wouldn't it? But you're not asked in any kind of solemnized setting simply if you will or you won't. It seems there just has to be more. Why is that?