Humanists Applaud Decision: District Court Rules School Pledge Unconstitutional

For Immediate Release - Contact: Roy Speckhardt (202) 238-9088
rspeckhardt@americanhumanist.org - http://www.americanhumanist.org/

September 14, 2005

(Washington, DC) The U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, ruling today once again shows that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

"The practice of reciting the Pledge in public schools specifically targets children, inculcating them with a monotheistic message not held by millions of Americans," stated Mel Lipman, president of the American Humanist Association, responding to this new success by Michael Newdow in the court system. Lipman continued, "This is not a passive reading of a historic document but an active swearing of a loyalty oath to one's country and, since 1954, an avowal that our nation exists 'under God,' which is tantamount to prayer."

"A federal judge did as he was supposed to do and upheld the Constitution. We should be thankful that we have judiciary that will do that," stated Michael Newdow, AHA Humanist Pioneer awardee.

"The First Amendment does not require hostility toward religion, but mandates government neutrality toward religion. By imposing a religious belief on those without such beliefs, the current version of the Pledge utterly fails this test," explained Lipman.

The AHA has been active in Newdow's long struggle. The AHA submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court on behalf of Newdow in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow. As stated in the brief, the Pledge, "indeed brings religion into the public school classroom in an intimidating fashion. Students who are singled out due to their inability to pledge allegiance to their country will be disfavored over those who support the majority religious belief in our society: monotheism."

The AHA applauded the court for upholding the Constitution and highlighting the need to strengthen the separation of government and religion in public schools.

"This ruling prevents disfranchisement and promotes religious liberty in America. Enforced conformity to a particular religious position is wrong. Humanists will remain vigilant in protecting the religious liberty of public school students," concluded Lipman.

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity .