Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Supreme Court rejects atheist's latest challenge to Pledge of Allegiance
cna ^ | June 16, 2011

Posted on 06/16/2011 12:46:14 PM PDT by NYer

The U.S. Supreme Court

Washington D.C., Jun 16, 2011 / 06:08 am (CNA).- On June 13, the Supreme Court ruled against atheist activist Michael Newdow's latest attempt to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance.

“Not surprisingly, the Supreme Court has again rejected the argument that saying the Pledge of your own free will creates an official state religion,” said attorney Eric Rassbach, litigation director at the religious liberty defense group the Becket Fund.

“The words 'one nation under God' make clear the bedrock American principle that our rights come not from the State, but are endowed by our Creator.”

On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected Newdow's appeal from the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. Newdow had attempted to halt the ability of schoolchildren in Hanover, New Hampshire from reciting the Pledge voluntarily.

In March, the Supreme Court also rejected Newdow's appeal from a loss in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

In both cases, the non-profit Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and global Catholic fraternal organization the Knights of Columbus intervened in the lawsuits to help school children who want to recite the pledge.

The Knights of Columbus led the effort to add the phrase “under God” to the Pledge 55 years ago.

The Becket Fund said in its briefs filed in the First Circuit and the Ninth Circuit that there is a  connection between the pledge and other statements like the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address. The briefs argue that each of those documents express the basic American philosophy that civil rights are inalienable because government does not create them.

Rassbach warned, however, that Newdow's latest attempt to remove the words “under God” may not be the last challenge to the pledge.

“Dr. Newdow has said that he will continue to challenge the pledge around the country, and we will be there to defend it,” he said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: atheism; moralabsolutes; newdow; pledge; scotus
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 next last

1 posted on 06/16/2011 12:46:24 PM PDT by NYer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...

There’s still hope for our country!


2 posted on 06/16/2011 12:47:15 PM PDT by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
I thought that guy had gone back under his rock. What a colossal waste of tax payers money.
3 posted on 06/16/2011 12:49:02 PM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

I don’t care if Newdow or whatever the hell his name is says the pledge or not but I find it very offensive that he thinks he has the right to force me to not say “Under God” in the pledge.

Karma is a biatch...


4 posted on 06/16/2011 12:52:15 PM PDT by BCR #226 (02/07 SOT www.extremefirepower.com...The BS stops when the hammer drops.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Michael Newdow should be declared a vexatious litigant.

It can be argued he is only filing these actions because he wants to get back at his ex-wife, a devout Christian.

The courts granted her sole legal and physical custody of their daughter.


5 posted on 06/16/2011 12:53:03 PM PDT by PanzerKardinal (Some things are so idiotic only an intellectual would believe it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

What was the vote breakdown of this decision?


6 posted on 06/16/2011 12:54:03 PM PDT by Carl LaFong (Experts say experts should be ignored.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: svcw

“with Liberty and Justice for all...born and unborn”.

That should make their heads explode.


7 posted on 06/16/2011 12:54:58 PM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Carl LaFong

There was no decision. The Court voted 9-0 not to hear the case. Technically, this sets no precedent, but he lower court’s ruling stands.


8 posted on 06/16/2011 12:56:22 PM PDT by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Newdow is a pitiful little man with way too much time on his hands. Why doesn’t he move to Cuba? Personally, I would like to beat the crap out of him, but that wouldn’t be very Christian of me.


9 posted on 06/16/2011 12:57:28 PM PDT by ilovesarah2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Carl LaFong

It wasn’t a actual decision.

What happened was that Mr. Newdow’s Petition of Certiorari (Petition for the Supreme Court to hear his case) was denied.

As usual, denial was made with comment. So now breakdown of votes.


10 posted on 06/16/2011 12:58:39 PM PDT by PanzerKardinal (Some things are so idiotic only an intellectual would believe it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Newdow is another example of a high-functioning mentally ill person who provides employment for the chattering class and entertainment for the boob-tube hypnotized.


11 posted on 06/16/2011 1:00:23 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
I wish some people would sue Newdow for being a nuisance.
12 posted on 06/16/2011 1:04:04 PM PDT by ozzymandus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

For the record, Michael Newdow is a resident of the City of Sacramento and he lives in the southern part of the city near the intersections of Pocket Road and Greenhaven.

He is NOT a resident of the City of Elk Grove as the lamestream media periodically insists.


13 posted on 06/16/2011 1:06:06 PM PDT by MeganC (NO WAR FOR OIL! ........except when a Democrat's in charge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
There’s still hope for our country!

Yes. as always, the hope of authoritarian socialism

14 posted on 06/16/2011 1:08:13 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Monarchy is the one system of government where power is exercised for the good of all - Aristotle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Newdow isn’t an atheist, he’s an anti-theist. He doesn’t just not practice religion himself, he considers it his mission to eradicate religion.


15 posted on 06/16/2011 1:09:58 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ilovesarah2012
Personally, I would like to beat the crap out of him, but that wouldn’t be very Christian of me.

Many years ago there was a website that had a picture of hillary and, with a click of the mouse, you could slap her. Next best thing to being there.

16 posted on 06/16/2011 1:11:57 PM PDT by RobinOfKingston (An election is not a (national) suicide pact.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: antiRepublicrat

Newdow: Oh my God,it should be illegal to say God in the Pledge of Allegiance.


17 posted on 06/16/2011 1:12:21 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: NYer
Dr. Newdow has said that he will continue to challenge the pledge ...

"What's your degree in? Dentistry?"

18 posted on 06/16/2011 1:13:19 PM PDT by dartuser ("Dealing with preterists is like cleaning the litter box ... but at least none of the cats are big.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: antiRepublicrat

Buy him a ticket to Riyadh, and let him spout his opinions there!;)


19 posted on 06/16/2011 1:14:39 PM PDT by Frank_2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Good day for conservatives. The progressives cut off their Weiner and the SC cuts off Newdow’s.


20 posted on 06/16/2011 1:15:02 PM PDT by Raycpa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson