2004-03-25
Yahoo! News - Supreme Court takes up 'under God': "The phrase 'under God' was added to the Pledge by Congress in 1954, and the Supreme Court has not ruled on its constitutionality. Representing the U.S. government, Solicitor General Theodore Olson avoided the notion that 'under God' had a current religious meaning. Olson argued that the phrase is viewed as an 'acknowledgement' of religion's role in the lives of America's founders. Under a 1985 court opinion, such acknowledgements amount to a 'patriotic exercise' and not an 'endorsement,' Olson said."
"[Justice Breyer said] Congress also could have a right to insert the phrase "under God" into the Pledge because 'it serves the purpose of unification.' The phrase, the justice said, could be 'meant to include everybody' in a statement of common purpose. "
"[Justice Breyer said] Congress also could have a right to insert the phrase "under God" into the Pledge because 'it serves the purpose of unification.' The phrase, the justice said, could be 'meant to include everybody' in a statement of common purpose. "
