The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance back in 1954 was unconstitutional. Newdows position was that it is unconstitutional for state employees to lead students in an exercise which is fundamentally religious in nature because that represents the state endorsing a religious viewpoint. The fact that his daughter was not required to participate in this exercise was not sufficient to make it constitutional the mere fact that she was a recipient of the message that certain religious beliefs are endorsed by the government was sufficient to entail harm.
Religion in Public Schools:
- Religion in Public Schools: News
- School Prayer
- School Holidays: Good Friday & Easter
- School Holidays: Christmas
- Arguments Against School Vouchers
Pledge of Allegiance, Under Gods:
Why is our pledge of patriotism a pledge to the flag first and the republic second? What about the national anthem? It seems to be more about the flag than the “land of the free.”
I think the pledge is about the principles that the flag stands for, i.e. freedom, liberty, independence, etc.
The National Anthem was written by Francis Scott Key, supposedly derived from his feelings at seeing the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore after a night of British bombardment during the War of 1812. The flag was still flying, therefore the fort had not surrendered, therefore the country was still free. By pledging to the flag, I affirm not that a scrap of cloth has any special properties, but that a country’s ideals still exist, and that I both agree with and will defend those ideals.
At least that’s how I see it.