Interfaith
group supports court decision on "Pledge of Allegiance"
Inclusive people of faith applaud historic decision as
good for religion and good for America
This news release from Equal Partners in Faith was
issued on 6-26-02. It is posted here on 6-27-02.
Equal Partners in Faith (EPF), a multi-racial national
network of religious leaders and people of faith, today applauded the
historic and controversial decision on the Pledge of Allegiance by the
9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. In a 2-1 decision, the court declared
recitation of the pledge in public schools unconstitutional because it
includes the words ''under God.'' (These words were added to the Pledge
by Congress in 1954).
"The Court was absolutely right to declare this
religious affirmation unconstitutional," said Dr. Sylvia Rhue,
Director of Equal Partners in Faith. "We support faith and we
support patriotism, but we do not support government-sponsored
religion." The case was brought before the Court by a Sacramento
parent who objected to the requirement that his second-grade daughter
recite the pledge in her public school. In its historic decision, the
Court declared that the school district requiring the pledge is
"conveying a message of state endorsement of a religious
belief."
According to the Court, "A profession that we are
a nation 'under God' is identical, for Establishment Clause purposes, to
a profession that we are a nation 'under Jesus,' a nation 'under
Vishnu,' a nation 'under Zeus,' or a nation 'under no God,' because none
of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion.''
"This decision was a victory for religious
freedom and a defeat for the special rights sought by some religious
groups," said Rev. Ken Brooker Langston, a Board member of EPF and
the national field director for Americans United for Separation of
Church and State. "No one should have to affirm God, Vishnu, Buddha
or any other religious entity in order to express her or his
patriotism."
| This is just one view of a very debatable judiciary
decision. What do you think of this action - and of the Supreme Court's
decision allowing the use of "vouchers" to assist parents in
paying for their children's education in religious and other private
schools? Please send a note, and we'll post comments
here. |
The press release concludes with this information about the group:
EQUAL PARTNERS in FAITH is a multi-racial national
network of religious leaders and people of faith committed to equality
and diversity. Our diverse faith traditions and shared religious values
lead us to affirm and defend the equality of all people, regardless of
religion, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
As people of faith, we actively oppose the manipulation of religion to
promote inequality and exclusion.
Join us and help us promote a more inclusive vision of
religion and society. http://www.us.net/epf/SupportEPF.htm
Equal Partners in Faith
5 Thomas Circle
Washington DC 20005
1-877-501-4194
1-202-797-0111 (fax)
website: http://www.us.net/epf/index2.html
e-mail: epfinfo@aol.com
