By now we all know the story. The phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance at the height of the Cold War in a superficial attempt to distance this nation from the non-believing Soviet Union. Frankly, we could have used a better phrase to widen the chasm. My suggestion, "one nation, whose market sets its pricing" never made the cut. It didn't help my case that I was born in the 1960s, years after the phrase was added.
Now that the heathen Soviet war machine has fallen under its own weight, Michael Newdow feels that God has outstayed his welcome inside the Pledge of Allegiance. Newdow, the California attorney who sued to stop recitation of the pledge inside his daughter's classroom, argues that the phrase "under God" violates the doctrine of separation of Church and State. According to Newdow, the phrase takes "one side in the quintessential religious question, 'Does God exist?'"
While I agree with his sentiment, I doubt this violates the doctrine of Church and State. Since the Bush Administration has been goose-stepping all over the First Admendment, it's apt that we repeat the relevent phrase: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, ..." This prevents an official state religion. God is many things to many people, but God is not a religion. For me it's a curse word, although I'm partial to Jesus H. Christ. For most it's a diety and dieties are not religions. Reverence for a supernatural being poised to condemn your ass into eternal damnation? Well that's another story.
On Wednesday, Newdow will be granted opportunity to present this waste of time before the United States Supreme Court. It's difficult for me to believe that an atheist should care for a reference to a fictional character. Would he squander taxpayer funds on "one nation, home to Mickey Mouse?" But one good nutter deserves another. Anthony Scalia recused himself last year because he publicly foamed at the mouth over the district court ruling. His absense raises the very real possibility of a 4-4 tie. In that case, the lower court's verdict stands. Mickey Mouse will be struck from the pledge.
In the end, this case is likely not resolved. Newdow never married the girl's mother nor is he a custodial parent. The girl's mother has already filed a friend of the court brief to request that God remain in the pledge. On Wednesday the first order of business will be to determine whether or not Newdow has standing to present the case. If he does not, then Mickey Mouse is back in the pledge. No wonder Europe thinks we're nuts...
