A family is suing a New Jersey school district, contending that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance discriminates against atheist children.
The lawsuit against the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District was filed in state court last month and was announced Monday by the American Humanist Association. The group says the phrase, added in 1954, "marginalizes atheist and humanist kids as something less than ideal patriots."
The anonymous plaintiffs say those two words "under God" violate the state constitution.
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20 comments:
There no end to atheist next will be to take god off our money.
Another example of the intolerance for others in our country. If atheists were truly respectful they would teach their children that respect for different beliefs is a good thing.
As for our country - we are a nation of laws based on the Christian/Judaea philosophy of the Ten Commandments.
And yes, 11:11 - they are going after the money.
This lawsuit will end up like almost all others, in the circular file. It's not even "discrimination" which is unequal treatment. No wonder the plaintiffs are remaining anonymous. I would too if I were lending my name to something so asinine.
11:35 Doesn't mean we should stop fighting.
In the last few decades it seems that we have to fight for our Constitutional rights in a way that hasn't happened for a very long time.
Our children need to wake up to some basic facts - facts they are not being taught.
This was a pet project of President Eisenhower's, to distort the pledge, it should have never been allowed. Let's go back to the original.
So sick of these people. Nobody forces your kid to say the pledge! They can respectfully decline if they so choose.
@11:59 True, no one makes them say it, they can decline the pledge.
But, what if they wish to pledge allegiance to the flag, to the country, as an act of patriotism and loyalty to the liberties this country gives us. To do so, they are forced to also to recognize a deity for no reason at all, other than Christians forced it to be added to the pledge.
How do handle this scenero? Do you propose that the only person that can be a patriot and pledge allegiance is a God believer? And, if so, doesn't that negate the whole "freedom of religion" concept/liberty that this country is so wonderful for?
I really don't understand why Christians are so adimant that it HAS to be in the pledge. Can anyone explain why it HAS to be there? Other than to exert Christian privilige and to somehow legitimize their faith?
I think they should remove any and all laws that have to do with Christianity also. You know those pesky laws that come from the Bible like....don't kill, don't steal and you can sleep with anyone you want, who cares what your spouse has to say about it.
2:36 said, "... as an act of patriotism and loyalty to the liberties this country gives us."
Oh, so wrong grasshopper! Our liberties and rights were given to us by GOD, and the Constitution was written that these recognized liberties, life, and the right to pursue happiness cannot be taken away by anyone; even 'humanists' and atheists.
@ 2:46
Your premise is wrong. The morals or social mores of Don't Kill, Don't Steal, and Being faithful to your spouse are found in most cultures through out history, spanning many differing religions.
To claim that these ideas or laws originated in the Bible is preposterous at best, and more accurately is a quite delusional opinion. You will have an exceptionally difficult time substantiating and supporting your assertion, though I am open to reading the comedy of your back up to your wildly ridiculous claim.
@ 4:38
Actually, Grasshopper, the Constitution does not mention a deity at all, it only provides religious freedom, and establishes the separation of church and state.
Also, Grasshopper, please to show ANY document that says our rights were given by GOD. You won't find it. I think you are referring to the Declaration of Independance referring to "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain...". Where, oh where, in that part of the document, do you see the word GOD used. No where. What if I happen to be a Scientologist? Then my rights came from Zenu, my creator. Or if I was Hindu, it would be Vishnu. Or if I had no religion, my Parents... get it, Grasshopper?
Um, 5:13, first of all, if you think for one minute you, as a human, could possibly create another human being by yourself, and with no assistance, then I dare you to try. Our Creator, for whatever name you wish to give Him, has been recognized as someone superior to humans and therefore One who gave us out right to Life, Liberty, and pursuit. If you think your parents are somehow your Creator, then I, as a parent, hereby take away your right to recognize any other god? I don't think so, and you can't extend that to anyone else, either.
I'm saying that whatever you call our Creator, God, Hoobalooba, Junpstreet, or Allah, it doesn't mean we have to be forced to not recognize the FACT that there is one. IT'S A GENERIC TERM!!!!
Everybody has a God except the atheist/ humanists, and that's their right given to them by their creator.
How they figure that one out, I don't care, but it better not put a rule down on me.
I pledge my Allegiance UNDER GOD, proudly, and you have to stfu and hear me say it out loud, grasshopper!
god did not create people. Evolution created people. Some are just more evolved than others.
@ 6:27
6:27 said "I pledge my Allegiance UNDER GOD, proudly, and you have to stfu and hear me say it out loud, grasshopper!"
And there you have it folks. This is what they want. They want anyone who does not follow their subscribed religiosity to "STFU" and force others to hear them say it. They have no interest in freedom, or liberty, or democracy. They want a theocracy run under their religious perspective. They want you to know, if you don't follow their particular brand of Deity and sect of religion there of, then you are a second class citizen.
This is EXACTLY why we have separation of church and state, and why only a SECULAR government can ensure religious freedom/liberty AND protect people from religious tyranny.
And by the way 6:27, may I refer you back to your holy book to read Matthew 6:5 : ""And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."
Grasshopper.
Evolution is still just a theory as is creationism. Im agnostic i dont have a god and dont really care if there's one im just here now and thats all that should matter.
@11:18
Actually, that's not correct. Evolution is a scientific theory, that has mountains of evidence and has survived the peer review process. Creation is is NOT a scientific theory, and has no substantial evidence, and has never survived the peer review process.
In science, the word meaning of the word "theory" is much different that what it is used for in everyday life. In the Science world a "theory".... like cell theory, germ theory, the "theory" of gravity... are essentially considered fact. They are NOT called facts.. because science is constantly looking for new information and data to better understand and refine it's understanding.
You never hear anyone say "well, you know, Gravity and Germs are just theories", do you? Certainly you don't doubt gravity or germs do you? No one should say that Evolution is "just" a theory either.
Anonymous said...
@11:59 True, no one makes them say it, they can decline the pledge.
But, what if they wish to pledge allegiance to the flag, to the country, as an act of patriotism and loyalty to the liberties this country gives us. To do so, they are forced to also to recognize a deity for no reason at all, other than Christians forced it to be added to the pledge.
How do handle this scenero? Do you propose that the only person that can be a patriot and pledge allegiance is a God believer? And, if so, doesn't that negate the whole "freedom of religion" concept/liberty that this country is so wonderful for?
I really don't understand why Christians are so adimant that it HAS to be in the pledge. Can anyone explain why it HAS to be there? Other than to exert Christian privilige and to somehow legitimize their faith?
April 23, 2014 at 2:36 PM
You will never believe in God until that Muslim will have a handful of your hair in one hand and a big knife in the other against your neck and pulls a Nick Berg on you. Then we can laugh at your stupidity.
@12:47
Oh, the irony.
You don't seem to get it, do you? The Muslims sky daddy is just as imaginary as your sky daddy. Next you'll try and tell me there are no Atheists in foxholes?
Muslims actually argue that Christians worship the same God, they have a more accurate improved version. Much like Christians say about the Jewish faith.
The comical thing is that you don't understand that this is EXACTLY why we HAVE to have a SECULAR government. To protect against religious tyranny.
I also, find it VERY CHRISTIAN of you to revel in the fact that you can "laugh at my stupidity" when I'm being brutally murdered by beheading at the hands of your nemesis religious rivals. Nicely done, how very, very Christian of you. That whole, loving, forgiving, meek Christian thing you do quite well, don't you?
You are a terrible, horrible person, that has no sense of morals or decency. Another ironic thing is that you would also have the GALL to argue that you have the moral high ground because you are a Christian.
4:40 PM I can't wait to laugh at you as well. I can't wait to see you and the rest of the Homo atheist begging for mercy and praying to God for the first time in your life. We will then see who the hypocrite is.
@4:40
Yet again, the vitriol and spite, seething hatred, and scorn from the "loving forgiving" Christian. Reveling in the torture and demise of anther human being. Name calling and insulting the whole way.
Shining example of Christlike behavior. Bravo, you too are a terrible, horrible person.
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