Patriotism or religion?
Yesterday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, covering eleven states and territories and based in California, ruled against a group of atheist parents who brought suit based on their belief that the Pledge of Allegiance represents government endorsement of religion, which is prohibited in the U.S. Constitution. The parents filed suit to stop teachers from leading the Pledge in public schools. Students are not required to stand or to join in the recitation.
By exposing the children to the phrase ‘one nation, under God,’ the key witness testified that
“the daily recitation interfered with her right to direct her child’s upbringing and that it indoctrinated her child with the belief that God exists.”
What do you think? Is the Pledge of Allegiance an overt religious endorsement or a patriotic act of loyalty to the United States?
In the ruling, the majority opinion stated:
“The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our republic was founded and for which we continue to strive: one Nation under God,” wrote the majority. “Millions of people daily recite these words when pledging allegiance to the United States of America.”
The dissenting judge said:
“Carrying out such an indoctrination in a public school classroom unconstitutionally forces many young children either to profess a religious belief antithetical to their personal views or to declare themselves through their silence or nonparticipation to be protesting nonbelievers, thereby subjecting themselves to hostility and ridicule.”
Interestingly enough, the pledge originally contained no reference to God. That was added in the 1950s. The pledge also does not define God in any way, nor tie him/her to any specific religious creed. While our founding fathers were quite clear about the separation of church and state, it was not for any lack of belief in a God. It was so the government could not dictate what specific religion the people must follow.
When I was a child, every school day began with the the Pledge. I never gave it a second thought. I thought we were promising loyalty to our country by pledging allegiance to its primary symbol. Today, perhaps because of my son’s military service, I feel even stronger that it is a promise made by the citizens of the United States to stand firm in all the liberties our country represents.
When I rise for the pledge before a high school basketball game, I put my hand over my heart; I do not fold my hands in prayer. When the pledge is over, I join in the crowd applause; I do not make the sign of the cross. I can’t quite get myself to see that a 3rd grade teacher leading 25 eight year olds in the Pledge of Allegiance is really influencing their religious beliefs.
The next step, if the parents so choose, is to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. If you sat on the bench, how would you rule?
(Note: The quotes above are from CNN.com)
Tags: Attitude, Community, Culture, Politics
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