Mass. judge upholds Pledge of Allegiance’s ‘under God’

[rfournier103]

As a Massachusetts resident, I am thrilled. It's not every day we get any court here make a halfway decent ruling.

Under God is in the Pledge.
In God We Trust is on our money.
In court we swear to God to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
The President is sworn in every four years on with his left hand on a Bible.


The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." meaning that there won't be a "state religion" like in Britain or Saudi Arabia.

I think the laws and customs of the United States speak for themselves. Good ruling here in Mass. For a change.

[Dale_M]

Originally Posted by CaptFun

Jane Haggerty. I'll remember her name. If we have a pro-life President in our near future it would appear Jane should be on the short list for a SCOTUS nomination.

She is a judge for the Middlesex Superior Court, which essentially makes her a county judge. I think US Supreme Court candidates are normally selected from more positions of more influence.

Her ruling, while it has gotten a lot of media attention, only applies to Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Originally Posted by Massachusetts Court System, Middlesex Superior Court

What Cities and Towns Are in the Court's Jurisdiction?

Middlesex County

http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsand...ddsupmain.html

[JimR-OCDS]

Originally Posted by Dale_M

She is a judge for the Middlesex Superior Court, which essentially makes her a county judge. I think US Supreme Court candidates are normally selected from more positions of more influence.

Her ruling, while it has gotten a lot of media attention, only applies to Middlesex County, Massachusetts.


http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsand...ddsupmain.html

True, next step will be the state supreme court, where things usually don't go well there, when it comes to upholding freedom and common sense.

Jim

[JMJSHJ]

Originally Posted by meltzerboy

Gift from God (note the moniker) does not take issue with invoking G-d. Surely you must realize there is a larger issue here: that those who do not believe in G-d feel they must recite something that goes against their belief (or non-belief). If they keep silent, they are made to feel like outsiders. On the other hand, having been brought up reciting the pledge countless times in school, I must have internalized its idealistic message. It is one of the few remnants in our public institutions expressing a sense of civic duty and patriotism combined with a touch of religious virtue. Not necessarily a bad thing on the face of it.

For those who don't believe in God, they don't have to recite it but what this issue is about is that those who do believe in God should be allowed to say it.

It's really simple to understand.

[estesbob]

Originally Posted by JMJSHJ

For those who don't believe in God, they don't have to recite it but what this issue is about is that those who do believe in God should be allowed to say it.

It's really simple to understand.

When I was in Kindergarten we recited the Lords prayer every morning(at a public school) They used the protestant version. My Mom told me just to remain silent when they recited the "non-catholic part". No big deal. no lawsuits, no hurt feelings.

[ProVobis]

Originally Posted by estesbob

When I was in Kindergarten we recited the Lords prayer every morning(at a public school) They used the protestant version. My Mom told me just to remain silent when they recited the "non-catholic part". No big deal. no lawsuits, no hurt feelings.

What protestant version exactly? The one we use at the English Mass ("hallowed...trespasses") is the one mandated by Henry VIII, but I'm sure you know that.

[estesbob]

Originally Posted by ProVobis

What protestant version exactly? The one we use at the English Mass ("hallowed...trespasses") is the one mandated by Henry VIII, but I'm sure you know that.

It added "for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory" on the end.

[JimR-OCDS]

Originally Posted by estesbob

It added "for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory" on the end.

And now we use that part in the Mass.

Jim

[estesbob]

Originally Posted by JimR-OCDS

And now we use that part in the Mass.

Jim

I know-what seemed to be such a big deal in 1957 is no big deal at all now!