Politics
Wednesday December 5, 2007
"In God We Trust" and Pledge of Allegiance Put on Trial Again
TODAY'S HEADLINES
E-MAIL
PRINT
By John Connolly
SAN FRANCISCO, December 5, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco began hearings today in two cases over the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance and the motto "In God We Trust" on money.
Michael Newdow, a professed atheist whose views have been endorsed by the Ninth Circuit Court before, filed both suits on the grounds that each use of the word 'God' is an unconstitutional establishment of a national religion.
"This is not a case of people who believe in God vs. people who don't believe in God," Newdow said in court. "It's a case about treating people equally."
In 2005, Newdow won a similar case in Sacramento which barred schoolchildren from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), a non-profit legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom and parental rights, is taking an active role in the battle over the right for Americans to say the word 'God.' PJI Chief Counsel Kevin Snider has joined lawyers for the Department of Justice to defend the national motto.
"The national motto, 'In God We Trust,' is a perfectly permissible, commemorative acknowledgment of our nation's history and traditions," said Snider. "Without coercing anyone to adopt any religious viewpoint, it reminds us that our rights are a gift from God and are not at the discretion of the government."
The judges appear to be split on the issue, and have given little indication of the court's ruling. No ruling is expected for the next several months.
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:
Feds Erase "In God We Trust" From Face of Coins - Tiny Scratches on Edge Don't Cut It
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07030802.html
California College Bans Pledge of Allegiance After Atheist Complains
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/nov/06111008.html
U.S. House Votes to Protect Pledge of Allegiance from Courts
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jul/06072001.html
Back to TopLatest Headlines
- BREAKING: US Congress Passes Health Care Reform Bill 220 to 215
- Stupak Amendment to Health Care Bill Passes 240 - 194 Saturday Evening
- Major Health Care Development - Pro-Life Stupak Amendment Vote OK'd for Today
- NY Times: Dems Banking on Later Squeezing Pro-Life Language Out of Bill in Committee
- USCCB Spokesman: "Definitely Not True" that Bishops Support Bill As it Stands
- TIME Got it Wrong - Prof. George Opposed Grandiose Kennedy Funeral
- USCCB Condemnation Tears Facade off "Phony" Abortion Compromise for Health Bill
- Health Care Bill Includes Monthly Abortion Premium: House Minority Leader Boehner
- TIME Article Setting Burke Against O'Malley Called "Tactical strike" on Behalf of Catholic Left
- Dirty Fighting on Abortion Funding: Word-Games and Health-Care Theatrics Boggle the Mind
- Commentary on November 6 News
- Note to LifeSiteNews Subscribers with Rogers email addresses
- New York Gov. Declares Nov. 10 Extraordinary Legislative Session for Same-Sex "Marriage"
- Washington's Pro-Family Amendment Effort Defeated - R-71 Almost Certain to Pass
- Vote Pushed Back on Canadian Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Bill to Dec. 2
- Elderly U.K. Couple in Good Health Commit Suicide, Complain of Assisted Suicide Law
- Texas Late-Term Abortionist and Baptist Minister Admits: "Am I killing? Yes, I am"
- New Evidence Contradicts CCHD's Findings on Accused Pro-Abortion Partner
- Quebec Priest Denies Possibility of Sexual Reorientation Therapy on TV
- New Hampshire Same-Sex "Marriage" Law in Crosshairs after Maine's Law Crumbles
- Brooklyn Bishop Criticized for Recorded Message Praising Pro-Abortion Politician
- First Group of "Traditionalist" Anglicans in Britain Votes to Enter Catholic Church
Most Read this Week
- Planned Parenthood Director Resigns after Watching Ultrasound of Abortion Procedure
- Nun Defiant Following Rebuke, but Stops Abortion Escorting
- Breaking: Dominican Community Apologizes for Nun Caught Acting as Abortion Escort
- Over 200 Christendom College Students Protest Abortion at Planned Parenthood Clinic
- TIME Article Setting Burke Against O'Malley Called "Tactical strike" on Behalf of Catholics Left
- Scottish Gay Rights Activists Found Guilty of Pedophilia Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
- Newly Identified Corporate Supporters of Planned Parenthood Named
- Health Care Bill Includes Monthly Abortion Premium: House Minority Leader Boehner
- Major Health Care Bill Development - Stupak Hyde Amendment Vote OK'd
- Canadian MP Launches Petition to Stop Federal Funding of Planned Parenthood
MORE NEWS: 
LifeSiteNews.com Home Page Last 10 Days Archives Special Reports
Copyright © LifeSiteNews.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License. You may republish this article or portions of it without request provided the content is not altered and it is clearly attributed to "LifeSiteNews.com". Any website publishing of complete or large portions of original LifeSiteNews articles MUST additionally include a live link to www.LifeSiteNews.com. The link is not required for excerpts. Republishing of articles on LifeSiteNews.com from other sources as noted is subject to the conditions of those sources.