By ‘Under God’ is Under Attack … Again
In 2002, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals created a firestorm by declaring that the Pledge of Allegiance was supposedly unconstitutional — because of the phrase, “under God.”
At the time many on both sides of the aisle were upset by this decision. Republican President George W. Bush noted, “this ruling is ridiculous.” He added that this decision was “out of step with the history and traditions of America.”
At the time, The Washington Times reported: “Reaction on Capitol Hill was intense, with a group of lawmakers gathering on the Capitol steps to recite the Pledge and the Senate preparing an unusual session last night to authorize its counsel to intervene in further appeals.”
“Nuts” is how the Democratic majority leader in the Senate described the ruling. That was Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R, Texas) also condemned it, saying: “A judge who believes the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional doesn’t belong on the bench.”
North Dakota City Nixes Pledge From School Board Meetings Because of the Word “God”
Well, fast forward 20 years. The Pledge of Allegiance survived that legal challenge of 2002 when the Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the plaintiff lacked standing. Meanwhile, the Pledge has now been nixed from school board meetings in Fargo, North Dakota. Alas, it would seem that news of this has received a collective yawn.
Ben Kesslen reported for The New York Post on this move against the Pledge by the members of the school board: “Board member Seth Holden said that because ‘the word “God” in the text of the Pledge of Allegiance is capitalized … the text is clearly referring to the Judeo-Christian god and therefore, it does not include any other faith such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, all of which are practiced by our staff and students.’”
Unfortunately, Holden seems wildly ignorant about the “inclusion” that has flowed from America’s Christian principles — which stands in stark relief even today against countries where non-Christian religions or ideology have preeminence.
Kesslen adds: “[Holden] claimed he is not against the Pledge itself, but that it can’t be said in a school committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Unfortunately, Holden seems wildly ignorant about the “inclusion” that has flowed from America’s Christian principles — which stands in stark relief even today against countries where non-Christian religions or ideology have preeminence. Read Full Article >
