There's a lot that I would say that are just crazy to me when they become inherent by definition indoctrination.

Circumcision and childhood baptism also fall into those categories for me. Want to devote yourself to a religion have at it. but how the hell is it not a huge ass red flag to encourage the major changes and opinions at an age that clearly decisions can't be made.

Baptism at least can be ignored... it's a bath at worse, a sprinkle at best. But it's still a facepalmingly stupid concept at best when the child clearly isn't the one making the decision (obviously excluding when adults decide to be baptised, I have no objections there).

Same for teaching kids to pledge allegiance to a piece of cloth. Same for "teach them to love their country etc...".

No you know what, teach them accurate history of their country, and of other countries. When they have understanding of it, let them compare, see what our country does good, did bad, with context of what other countries did that was good, and bad.

Even being born into it, it feels weird. I'll stand politely when the national anthem is played at a sporting event, because that feels only slightly odd. But the pledge of allegiance always gave me straight cult vibes, no thanks.

I've seen multiple groups of Australians treat their national anthem with mild irreverence, which feels so much healthier.