Humanists Will Appeal "under God" Ruling

[rug]

8. The gist of it is that the recitation is voluntary, it is not a prayer

and there is no Equal Protection violation. It goes through the history and legislative intent behind the Pledge pretty thoroughly.

My daughter hasn't said it since fourth grade, not because of "under God" but because of its jingoism. "It's just a piece of cloth, why should I have to pledge to it?"

Pennsylvania had passed a mandatory recitation after 9/11 which the Third Circuit overturned on free speech grounds, holding, essentially, that coerced speech is prohinted under the First Amendment.

I think that's where it stands now. As long as it's voluntary the schools can recite it.