Pledge of allegiance to God goes to court in US
The phrase "One Nation Under God" went on trial yesterday, as Kevin "Seamus" Hasson, President of the Becket Fund asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ban on saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.
Posted: Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 8:10 (GMT)
The phrase "One Nation Under God" went on trial yesterday, as Kevin "Seamus" Hasson, President of the Becket Fund asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ban on saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.
In 2005, atheist activist Michael Newdow had succeeded in convincing a Sacramento court to ban the Pledge in the lawsuit Newdow v. Carey because he found the two words "under God" offensive to his atheist beliefs.
Hasson, who argued the case on behalf of schoolchildren who want to continue to say the Pledge, engaged the appeals judges in lively argument before a packed courtroom that included several of Mr. Newdow's boisterous supporters.
Hasson pre-empted Newdow's arguments by arguing that the phrase "under God" has always been used in American history as a way of protecting rights, not violating them. That's because "God-given rights" are rights the government can't take away.
After argument, Hasson commented, "This is about a lot more than just how school kids start their day. It's about where the next generation thinks its rights come from -- the creator or the state."
The Becket Fund is also representing the Knights of Columbus in the lawsuit. The Knights spearheaded the original campaign to include the words "under God" in the Pledge.
The court is expected to issue a decision within months.
Have your say on this article
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Added: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 22:58 (BST)
I would like to think that the court had better ways to spend their time then to persecute religious freedom in this way. Take away freedom in the name of justice and you have no justice. God help us all!!
Candy, concord, nc
Added: Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 2:31 (GMT)
Well technically, the Pledge of Allegiance IS impedeing on personal rights, since most schools require it. It IS unconstitutional to force a student to pledge to the flag. It would be establishing a religion which is against the 1st Amendment so thats one. xD
G. S., Lynnwood America
Added: Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 22:00 (GMT)
USCongress passed a law requiring all U.S. currency to carry the motto "In God We Trust"in 1955,the historical context for use of the motto's presence on coins and currency is not an endorsement of a particular faith or a diety or dios or allah or johova etc.,, but simply a symbol for the United State Governments -Ordnance-DEPARTMENT.[GOD]
The governemnts motto "In God We Trust" on a dollar bill motto "affects" the compelling interest of all those who bear the currentcy,like Puerto ricans on the Island,with the Ordnance to back the currentcy,and the USCourthouse, advocating no hostility toward citizens and people's right to their own beliefs and to own arms to boot,with equal respect and protection and Justice and liberty for WE THE PEOPLE and all.
CWpDetectionRule@USCourthouse!
INGODWETRUST!
Pass the muskets!
ecoavila go your own way
ecoavila, Atlantic City USA
