I know that I’m in a minority in this country, but I don’t see how making children say a pledge that affirms the existence of a supreme non-material being doesn’t violate the separation clause. The way I see it, if we starting making public school children starting affirming the existence of “god” today, the court’s would immediately put a stop to it. But since the phrase has been in place for more than 50 years, it’s somehow OK.
Here’s the story that provokes my comment: [1]
David Niose, former president of the American Humanist Association, and the plaintiffs’ representative, opened his arguments Wednesday saying the pledge’s use of “under God” violates the Equal Rights Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution and is an issue of discrimination.
Niose said the pledge’s repetitiveness in the public school system is indoctrinating and alienating to atheists.
“It validates believers as good patriots and it invalidates atheists as non-believers at best and unpatriotic at worst,” he said.
I agree entirely.
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