Man who sued to stop pledge explains reasons for suit

SF Chronicle via AP ^ | 6/26/02 | STEFANIE FRITH

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow said Wednesday he was trying to restore the Pledge of Allegiance to its pre-1954 version because no one should be forced to worship a religion in which they don't believe.

But if the threatening messages on his answering machine are any indication, the American public is not thanking him.

[thrcanbonly1]

Congressionally appropriated......

Then probably not.But the government has been doing unconstitutional things since before the ink was dry.

[Let's Roll]

"...what did it cost this guy to launch his "I hate America crusade?"

Hm-m, I wonder who financed this attack on America and her people? This would be very useful information to have.

[daler]

Oh...well, if a Circuit Court judge has ruled the Pledge unconstitutional, I guess I just won't be able to say it anymore, right?

Just like when/if they ban guns, I'll trot on down to the nearest "collection center" and turn 'em all in...(sarcasm intended)

[Clemenza]

Physician Michael Newdow of Broward County, Florida.

South Florida is insane bump.

[bannedonce]

Any parent in their right mind would never subject their child to what this little girl will be subjected to for what will seem to be to her an eternity. Children are strong, yes; but this little girl is at a pivotal stage in her life...trying to make friends, etc. What good has her father done for her?


Your blaming the father for the harrasment and not the harrasers? What she taught her daughter was to fight for what one believes, like Rosa Parks and MLK and Ghandi (and Jesus) etc. Without exception, those who have brought about the most significant change for the good in this world have had to do it in the face of adversity and persecution. Are you teaching your children to not 'rock the boat'? Do we need more of of that?

[sneakypete]

Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow said Wednesday he was trying to restore the Pledge of Allegiance to its pre-1954 version because no one should be forced to worship a religion in which they don't believe.

And he's right.

[Arizflash]

No, we need to fight back. Finally. Against people like you and this DOKTOR. We will. You won't win this one.

[Gurn]

I've scanned all the responses in this thread. I must say, I'm surprised at how few of our handful of loud, sanctimonious FR atheists have chimed in. Normally, they never miss a chance to denegrate the Bible and people who believe in it and belittle the God-fearing. They are really quiet. Maybe it's because they can't defend the indefensible.

[sneakypete]

. Is he gay I wonder?

'He doesn't sound very happy,and who can blame him? He's getting death threats from the "peace and love" crowd.

As for his marital status,who can blame him for wanting to keep details about his life private? I'd guess that his daughter is hiding with her mother until this blows over.

[Arizflash]

Nobody's forced to do jack. She don't HAVE to repeat the pledge. Why should everybody else be forced to NOT say it?

[sneakypete]

Well, Duh! Isn't that always the way the America-Haters work????

I'm a non-believer. Does this make me a "America-Hater"?

[AntiDemocrat]

I don't care if this atheist cannot sleep...I care about the Bush nominees held up by the Senate Democrats - and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are off protecting this misfit atheist.

[DJ88]

"Where does this crap end?"

I believe the beginning of the end happened today. People were jamming the phone lines in DC. The Senate was on the floor in no time crucifying (oops, that's a reference to Jesus, sorry) the idiotic judges that issued this ruling. I heard the words, "Asinine", "stupid", "most ridiculous", etc. on the floor of the Senate today. I don't think I've ever seen Senators get to the Senate floor as quickly as they did today. They must have set a world record. For one thing, the RATS knew they were in trouble and had better do something to stop it; and the Republicans knew they had a piece of gold handed to them by a liberal judge. (Let's hope they do something about it).

And another thing: had this happened one year ago, I don't think we would have seen the outcry that we did today. However, on September 11th, 2001 Americans all over this great country woke up...big time. And they are sick and tired of being shoved around and told what to do. I know I am.

Have you noticed that the Pledge of Allegience doesn't say,
"One Nation, Under Catholicism"
"One Nation, Under Judiasm"
"One Nation, Under Presbyterians"
"One Nation, Under Methodists"
"One Nation, Under Protestants"

No, either did I. I see that it says,

"ONE NATION UNDER GOD"

It doesn't say whose God, it's a God of your own choosing. That is Freedom of Religion. And for some athiest who would like the world to believe that hearing the word "GOD" is harming his precious daughter, he need only look into the mirror to see the real culprit.

[sneakypete]

He's a Fundamentalist Atheist who wants to force his beliefs on everyone else and suppress free speech and free thought.

Yup,in this respect he seems no different than the fundie members of other religious cults. Neither side has the right to try to force the other side to live according to THEIR religious beliefs.

Then again,removing the "under God" part hurts nothing at all. Nor does it take anything away from the Pledge of Allegience to have it removed.

[GatorGirl]

PLEASE explain why someone like you who is a "non-believer" wants to destroy the right of others to say the Pledge of Allegiance instead of just keeping their mouths shut and refusing to say it themselves.

[jwh_Denver]

squeaky wheels get the grease

Is that some kind of "Soprano" talk for whacked?

[Toast on a Stick]

I don't care if this atheist cannot sleep...I care about the Bush nominees held up by the Senate Democrats - and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are off protecting this misfit atheist.

Ahh. The voice of reason jerks us back into some real perspective. This situation continues to be one of my gravest concerns about the state of The Union.

[sneakypete]

Funny, I had to hear things in school I didn't believe in. Come to think of it, I was made to DO things I didn't believe in.

Would it also be ok with you if your children had to praise Mohammed in school? How about if the school had a few animal sacrifices to satisfy the "equal time" requests of the parents who belived in Voo Doo?

[GatorGirl]

EXTREMELY well put, DJ! Thanks! GG

[DJ88]

"Your blaming the father for the harrasment and not the harrasers? What she taught her daughter was to fight for what one believes, like Rosa Parks and MLK and Ghandi (and Jesus) etc. Without exception, those who have brought about the most significant change for the good in this world have had to do it in the face of adversity and persecution. Are you teaching your children to not 'rock the boat'? Do we need more of of that?"

ROFLOL!!! The harassers???? Give me a break, please. No, I don't teach my children "not to rock the boat". But I haven't heard a single shred of evidence from this idiot that his daughter has been irreparably harmed or mentally scarred by his insance actions. She will be the one that suffers, not him. Oh. And may I ask you this? When things are really, really bad for her, who is she going to turn to?

My kids turn to God.