The Pledge of Allegiance: A Timeless Tradition
... nation motto, “in God we trust,” and documents such as the Declaration of Independence at risk. This nation was found under god and I find dispute of that fact simply un-American. The Pledge of Allegiance is a non-religious patriotic act that should not be banned in public school, nor should any element be omitted. Why has “under god” become such a controversial topic? In Elk Grove, California it is required that each school day be started with an act of patriotism, therefore every grade school class recited the Pledge of Allegiance. An atheist, Michael Newdow of Elk Grove has a daughter who participates in these daily drills. This is a voluntary routine and students were not forced to take part. He claimed this dishonored his daughter’s First Amendment rights each time she had to, “watch and listen as her state-employed teacher in her state-run school leads her classmates in a ritual proclaiming that there is a God, and that our country is 'one nation under God.'" (Sensenbrenner p.2) Newdow filed a suit against the U.S. Congress, the United States, the President, and the Elk Grove Unified School District all of which were dismissed. He appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and a panel of judges ruled in his favor. The panel concluded that the words “under God” endorsed religion and the belief of monotheism, the belief that there is one God. Once the judgment was confirmed, the real controversy began. The Supreme Court has annulled the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judgements many times in the past and it was sure to happen again. This ruling went against nearly all previous decisions set by the Supreme Court like Engel v. Vitale or School District of Abington Township v. Schempp. It denied 9.6 million students in nine different states their own freedom of speech. This was an inconceivable error in our judiciary system. The judgment was labeled “ridiculous” by President George W. Bush and “junk justice” by New York Governor, George Pataki. (Huntington p.1) Both the Senate and House of Representatives disapproved of the ruling. It was no surprise when both chambers approved of resolutions supporting the Pledge of Allegiance. Once the Newdow case reached the United States Supreme Court in June of 2004, it was immediately thrown out. Mr. Newdow had no custody rights, therefore could not bring a suit on behalf of his daughter. The most interesting factor is that his daughter is a Christian, and would have still viewed herself “under God” regardless of the Verdict. (Divisible p.2) Even is the case wasn’t thrown out it was expected to be reversed, but I ‘m sure similar cases will soon arise. The First Amendment is notably the most vague and frequently translated segment of the Bill of Rights. The term “under God” does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendments. The purpose of the clause was not to establish freedom from religion but to establish freedom for religion. (Huntington p.2) The courts ask three questions to constitute infringement according to the Establishment Clause. The first question; is there an endorsement of religion? The Pledge of Allegiance does not endorse religion, but it does indeed endorse patriotism. Has the Pledge of Allegiance ever influenced you in a religious manner? I never have thought of the pledge in other means then that of patriotic act. How many times have you recited the pledge at a religious ceremony? I never have heard or spoke of the Pledge of Allegiance in a religious setting. The Pledge of Allegiance is not a prayer, a religious activity, nor is it an endorsement of any faith. The second question; does it have a non-religious purpose? As I stated many times before the Pledge of Allegiance serves a patriotic act that declares loyalty, and support towards the United States of America, and its flag. For these purposes the pledge is recited in schools across the nation, and at most public government ceremonies even naturalization ceremonies. The House of Representatives starts each session by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor says, “In my view, the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge . . . serve as an acknowledgment of religion with ‘the legitimate secular purposes of solemnizing public occasions, and expressing confidence in the future.’” (Sensenbrenner p.10) The third question; is anyone forcefully exposed to a religious message? The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals improperly concluded that “under God” was unconstitutional because it professed that there...