Posted on 08/02/2007 8:14:32 AM PDT by SConservative
Texas students will have four more words to remember when they head back to class this month and begin reciting the state's pledge of allegiance.
This year's Legislature added the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge, which is part of a required morning ritual in Texas public schools along with the pledge to the U.S. flag and a moment of silence.
State Rep. Debbie Riddle, who sponsored the bill, said it had always bothered her that God was omitted in the state's pledge.
"Personally, I felt like the Texas pledge had a big old hole in it, and it occurred to me, 'You know what? We need to fix that,' " said Riddle, R-Tomball. "Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under God, we are one state under God as well."
By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating.
But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it's unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don't share the same religious beliefs. "Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious."
The revised wording in the Texas pledge took effect on June 15, and the Texas Education Agency sent an e-mail reminding school districts about the change earlier this week.
Officials with Houston-area districts say they will notify schools and parents about the new requirement.
Rebecca Suarez, spokeswoman for the Houston Independent School District, said a letter about the change will be sent home to parents when their children return to school. And a flier with the pledge's revised wording will be sent to each campus before classes start.
Texas has had a pledge of allegiance since 1933. In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.
Texas isn't the only state that has its own pledge of allegiance. Other states include Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky.
Mississippi and Louisiana mention God in their pledges. And Kentucky lays claim to being blessed with "grace from on High."
It’s about time Texas did something.
And what right do you think Texas is violating?
YAY TEXAS :)
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.[1]
“Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible.” Will this go here “one state under God ?” I hope one and indivisible is not removed!
“Honor the Texas Flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible.” Will this go here “one state under God ?” I hope one and indivisible is not removed! But I love “one state under God”.
“”But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it’s unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don’t share the same religious beliefs. “Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious,” said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. “”
Whenever there is news that is positive about religon, you will always see this clown Barry Lynn. Anton Levay was not near as evil as this guy.
“Whenever there is news that is positive about religon, you will always see this clown Barry Lynn. Anton Levay was not near as evil as this guy.”
I know. He’s a 4-star fruitcake.
“And what right do you think Texas is violating?”
Texas isn’t violating any rights. Just like all our federal currency shows ‘In God We Trust’ on it and the federal Pledge does the same, so it’s totally appropriate that Texans honor God in their daily state Pledge recital. Anyone who opposes this is either an atheist or just isn’t thinking clearly.
One last thing that you will all find of interest: this was approved in the Texas House of Representatives on a 124-12 vote and in the Texas Senate on a 29-0 vote. Not even competitive.
GOD BLESS TEXAS!
And thanks to that addition, children that grew up reciting the pledge during the 1950s became the conservative, God-fearing young adults in the late 60s of the Baby Boom generation...er, wait...no they didn't.
Sorry, my #22 should have been directed to ES!
Requiring anyone to say this pledge violates the First Amendment establishment clause, which has been interpreted for a long time by the Supreme Court as applying to the states as well as Congress. It wasn't interpreted that way by the Founders, but it is currently the law of the land.
I don't know whether saying a child can get out of saying it by bringing a note from home is enough to exempt this law from being ruled unconstitutional.
So.....State legislatures are allowed to freely violate Constitutional rights? Constitutional rights can only be violated by the FedGov?
Guvna can suspend habeus corpus all he wants ‘cause he’s not “the feds”? Staties can search you all they want ‘cause they’re not federal marshalls? Texas can establish a state religion because, afterall, they’re not the fedgov? TX can shut down the Houston Chronicle because the Constitution only applies to violations by the fedgov? TX can take away all your firearms ‘cause they’re not the ATF?
You think the Supremes would agree or would the Supremes rule that local governments cannot violate your Constitutional rights either??
As stated, I have no problem with God being in the Pledge or any other pledge, but making it “mandatory by law” just doesn’t fly right.
The Supreme Court has found procedural grounds to punt the issue and has never actually ruled on the merits.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/14/scotus.pledge/
IIRC, the 14th amendment applies federal protection of rights to states.
My main question in all this is, “How is putting ‘God’ in the Pledge an establishment of religion?” Are people these days aware of what the term “establishment” even means, anymore?
There is no God - you must not acknowledge him.
There is a God - you must acknowledge him.
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