Posted on 08/10/2005 2:22:53 PM PDT by dukeman
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a Virginia law requiring public schools to lead a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Edward Myers of Sterling, Va., a father of three, claimed that the reference to "one nation under God" in the pledge was an unconstitutional promotion of religion.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, ruling that the pledge is a patriotic exercise, not an affirmation of religion similar to a prayer.
"Undoubtedly, the pledge contains a religious phrase, and it is demeaning to persons of any faith to assert that the words `under God' contain no religious significance," Judge Karen Williams wrote. "The inclusion of those two words, however, does not alter the nature of the pledge as a patriotic activity."
Myers's attorney, David Remes, said he and his client have not yet discussed whether to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Remes said the appeals court failed to examine the impact of the pledge on children in a school setting.
"The problem is that young school children are quite likely to view the pledge as affirming the existence of God and national subordination to God," Remes said. "...The reference to God is one of the few things in the pledge that children understand."
A spokeswoman for state Attorney General Judith Williams Jagdmann did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
God bless Virginia.
The entire public school system is a violation of your right of privacy, your right of free association, and your right of free exercise. Why just throw out the baby and keep the dirty bath water?
"Myers's attorney, David Remes, said he and his client have not yet discussed whether to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court."
TRANSLATED: They're weighing the risk of continuing to look like anti-American, money-grubbing Marxists vs. gaining a potential jackpot in legal fees if they prevail on appeal.
Fast forward a few years to see how these three children turned out.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Following the spirit of the law, and the intention of the founders, nonsense like this should never even be brought before the court.
Ironic that God in schools is dangerous but teaching perverse, disgusting sexual practices to kindergartners is not.
The kids understand more than this guy does. He's either an idiot or a liar.
I think he just hates God.
Heheh.....your "translation" about nails it.
God bless that court. Courts don't largely get it right these days.
Yes, but the plaintiff's lawyer unwittingly states the truth when he mentions subordination to God.
I bet the kids in this family haven't a clue about God.
They probably don't and that sure is sad. I have a number of unchurched nephews and nieces on my side of the family. It's heartbreaking.
Interesting also that it is practically illegal to express one's belief in God - a belief shared by over 90% of Americans. Thus, our public discourse is directed by a minority of less than 10%. Their view is enforced in the teaching of America's children.
An even smaller minority are homosexual, and their view too is imposed upon our public discourse, and taught in the schools.
Whatever happened to the days of 'majority rule'?
They have to get rid of all religious folks and references because those of are the folks who can defeat them politically. That is why the NY schools don't want churches using their facilities on the weekends. There has been a great increase in evangelical Christians in NY. That is a threat to the Democratic party.
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