Local atheist: Contested [pledge] phrase is a hate crime

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | March 25, 2004 | Kevin Diaz

[Schatze]

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Marie Alena Castle, a Minneapolis atheist, contends that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is a hate crime.

Not one to stand idly by in the face of perceived injustice, the 77-year-old former Catholic has written a long brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of California atheist Michael Newdow, who urged the justices Wednesday to drop "under God" from the pledge.

Castle's brief is one of more than 50 that have been submitted in the case, which tests the constitutional prohibition on the official establishment of religion.

But Castle's is the only one that sets forth the thesis that Congress put "under God" into the pledge out of hostility toward atheists.

Supporters of the current pledge -- backed by the Bush administration -- argue that it merely reflects the role that religion has played in the nation's history and that it is more of a civic ritual than a religious one.

A retired business and technical writer with no background in law, Castle rests her argument on congressional records dating to 1954, at the height of the Cold War, when Congress inserted "under God" into the pledge.

She cites a speech by Congressman Louis Rabaut, the Michigan Democrat who sponsored the addition of the two-word phrase. He said: "You may argue from dawn to dusk about differing political, economic and social systems, but the fundamental issue which is the unbridgeable gap between America and Communist Russia is a belief in Almighty God . . ."

Given the level of hostility at the time, Castle said, "it is not an overstatement to call it a hate crime."

Castle's is the only atheist brief from Minnesota, the headquarters of a 300-member national group that she calls Atheists for Human Rights. She said the history of the pledge underscores how atheists have often been villified and attacked as "an unpopular group."

[beelzepug]

"Yeah, and Michael Newdow is a victim of "date rape"."

Well, he probably was. I mean, can you imagine anybody sleeping with this ass because they had affection for him?

[been called a cynic]

amen to that

[OPS4]

Atheists are traitors, and should be jailed.
Ops4 God Bless America!

[Dataman]

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This can be taken as no laws about current establishments of religion (churches, etc.) or no laws trying to create (establish) a national religion and thereby belief system. It can mean protecting religion from government laws, or protecting government from religious-influenced laws.

Shallow thinkers tend to replace original intent with an anemic "I see it this way." Like Hillary, they like the idea of a living, changing document-- so long as its changes conform to the LEFT.

[Dataman]

And likely thereafter be ridiculed and shunned by the majority religious kids, possibly beat up as the "devil worshipper" or "immoral atheist" that the Christian parents taught their kids about.

In a public school? You have a really warped view of reality.

[antiRepublicrat]

Atheists are traitors, and should be jailed.

Paranoid? With people like this around?

[antiRepublicrat]

Shallow thinkers tend to replace original intent

I find a lot of intent to restrict government power, protect religious freedom and keep the government from becoming the religious power the Framers feared. That's exactly why I read it that way.

[Big Mack]

Tell her to "put some ice on it." There is nothing in the constitution, and I have read it, that gives the right not to be offended.

[Little Ray]

What's wrong with hate?
I am beginning to think there are LOTS of people who need hating (and a little action on said hate).

For example, anybody who believes in criminalizing thought (i.e. hate crimes) should be hated, despised, and, ummm, well we'll keep it off the forum.

[Dimensio]

I've heard 10%-14%, but I have no idea how accurate that is.

[Dimensio]

Atheists are traitors, and should be jailed.

Nice to see such rational arguments being presented here.

I'm an atheist. Are you suggesting that because I lack belief in gods, I'm guilty of a capital crime? Please justify this inane ranting.

[Schatze]

Paranoid? With people like this around?

Most people in this country don't think atheists should be jailed. I was referring to Castle's contention that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is a hate crime and your statement about "likely scenarios" of atheist children getting beaten up for their beliefs. I find these statements hyperbolic.

[Dimensio]

Well, if it ever is challenged, I'm sure that the Texas state government will waste hundreds of thousands of dollars defending the unconstituional requirement, just like South Carolina did.

[antiRepublicrat]

I'm an atheist. Are you suggesting that because I lack belief in gods, I'm guilty of a capital crime? Please justify this inane ranting.

Unfortunately, he has lots of friends. Some don't go quite as far and just say we aren't patriots and shouldn't be citizens, like our current president's father.

[antiRepublicrat]

I was referring to Castle's contention that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is a hate crime

Hey, I said she was a wacko in the beginning.

and your statement about "likely scenarios" of atheist children getting beaten up for their beliefs.

That is a fact, but you won't find it in the papers.

[Schatze]

What's wrong with hate?

I'd rather direct it toward the Islamikazes. Now there are some folks who want to criminalize thought and force their 7th century religious beliefs on the entire world.

[Schatze]

... you won't find it in the papers.

Believe me, if beatings of atheist children were happening, the liberal media couldn't jump on the story fast enough.

[farmer18th]

Marie Alena Castle also contends that whistling, eating a peach, and defrosting a refrigerator are hate crimes.

Let's not forget hair-brushing as well--forcing each hair to flow in the same direction!

I have asked this woman to forward all of her money to me as well, to help relieve her of the burden of holding currency that reads "In God We Trust." I have invited other atheists to send me their money too. It's just something I do as a public service, I guess.

[farmer18th]

Atheism is the default you're born with

..until you look around. The fool--and perhaps children--say in their heart there is no God.