Earlier in the month, Texas inserted the words “Under God” in the state’s Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is mandatory for schoolchildren to say, and if they want to get out of it, they need a note from home.
This was around the same time that Texas was forcing children to have a moment of silence in the classroom.
It all just reinforces the moronic, backwards-thinking stereotype of Texas.
At least one couple is doing something about it.
David Wallace Croft and his wife, Shannon, fought against both pieces of legislation. They have children who attend schools affected by these policies.
The latest lawsuit was against the Pledge. But now, that lawsuit has been denied.
U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade denied the request late Tuesday by David Wallace Croft and his wife, Shannon, for a preliminary injunction to stop the use of the pledge before any trial. No trial date has been set.
…
The Crofts announced earlier this month they were suing Gov. Rick Perry, as a representative of the state, over the pledge on the same day arguments were held over their separate lawsuit against the state’s minute of silence law.
In each case, the Crofts argue that actions by legislators are unconstitutional and amount to violations of separation of church and state. They argued legislators sought to reintroduce prayer in schools by mandating the moment of silence in 2003. The law gives children the option to “reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activity” during that minute.
The Moment of Silence case hasn’t been decided yet.
I don’t have a huge problem with the silence. But the Crofts are absolutely right with their Pledge case. That is blatant religion being forced upon everyone.
You can read David Wallace Croft’s blog here.
On a side note, I’m glad the atheist couple is fighting this battle, but why are there no religious people beating them to the punch? There are many who respect separation of church and state and who are as offended by the ruling as atheists. Why do we rarely see them taking the lead on these issues?
[tags]atheist, atheism, Michael Newdow, Under God, Shannon Croft[/tags]
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