>>It's a pledge, not an oath nor a prayer!

What is the difference between a pledge and an oath?

>>instead of being forced out of our classrooms by atheist lawsuits

I don't know the religious beliefs of the person who brought the lawsuit, nor do I care. I for one do not believe the the Pledge is appropriate for public institutions and I AM NOT AN ATHIEST. In fact there was a previous Supreme Court ruling that said the schools could not force a student to salute the flag. That lawsuit was brought by Christians who believed that saluting the Flag violated the Commandment that thou shall not worship graven images.

As to the indoctrination issue I agree with you, which is why the government should not be running schools. The reason Johnny can't read is because the government is too busy teaching him to tow the current government line.