Bush administration appeals to Supreme Court in pledge case

The Bush administration appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to preserve the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance recited by school children.

The reference does not amount to unconstitutional government promotion of religion, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer wrote in a court filing that sides with a Sacramento-area school district.

I will never understand why some atheists so fear the effect that hearing the word "God" may have on their children. Couldn't it be argued that if they really want their children to grow up as free-thinkers they would allow them to hear about all kinds of faiths and decide for themselves if they want to believe in God? It seems to me that if Mr. Newdow's daughter has a constitutional right to religious liberty, he's the one who is violating it.

What happens if this child happens to make friends with kids who aren't atheists? That would have a much bigger impact on her than a line in a memorized pledge. Is Mr. Newdow going to be able keep her in a bubble, away from any mention of religion? And why should the rest of our society be responsible for helping him in this futile endeavor to keep her in this bubble?

If/when I have children I don't plan on teaching them there's an old man named Santa Claus watching their every move, but I won't freak out if his name is mentioned in their presence either. Not that I want to compare God to Santa, but it's still a matter of feeling threatened by the mention of someone he supposedly doesn't even believe exists.

I also find it hard to believe that of all the evil influences there are in schools today, the big fear for this guy is that his child might come to believe in a God and possibly start living by some moral code.

Okay. Rant over. Sorry it was long-winded.

"What happens if this child happens to make friends with kids who aren't atheists? That would have a much bigger impact on her than a line in a memorized pledge. Is Mr. Newdow going to be able keep her in a bubble, away from any mention of religion?"

Too late! According to the child's mother, both she AND the child are Christians, attend church, and the child ISN'T bothered by saying the pledge!
This man was never married to the mother of the child and has NO LEGAL rights regarding anything about her. This case should have never gone to court. The mother didn't even know he had filed this suit until AFTER the fact.

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.