| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
14 Jun 2004 10:42:49 AM |
| Object: |
American Atheists press release - June 14, 2004 |
AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (973)691-1808
Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732)648-9333
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATHEISTS CHARGE SCOTUS "DUCKED THE ISSUE" IN REJECTING
NEWDOW PLEDGE SUIT OVER STANDING ISSUE
An Atheist civil rights group charged that the U.S. Supreme Court
avoided a decision on a key First Amendment lawsuit by ruling that a
principal in the case lacked "standing" to file the suit.
California Atheist Michael Newdow had challenged the use of the words
"under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, arguing that it violated his
rights as a parent as well as the constitutional separation of church
and state. The U.S. Supreme Court, though, announced today that
Newdow's suit was corrupted because he supposedly lacked the proper
standing or right to legal relief.
"The court has avoided an important First Amendment case concerning the
status of government promoted religion," said Ellen Johnson, president
of American Atheists. "We can only guess why the court majority made
this unfortunate move, but in doing so they have failed to resolve the
basic issue of whether the state can use religion to promote
patriotism."
Johnson said that American Atheists is pressing ahead with plans to file
another suit that will raise many of the constitutional issues in the
ELK GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT v. NEWDOW case. Dr. Michael Newdow, a
California Atheist and physician, challenged the use of the words "under
God" in the Pledge, saying that the practice violated the First
Amendment and interfered with his rights as a parent to direct the
religious upbringing of his children.
"The court ducked the issue, which means that a legal conflict still
exists," said Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American
Atheists. "Like it or not, the Supreme Court is probably going to have
to take up this question again at some point in the future."
"We promise to be there when it does," added Mr. Silverman.
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state;
and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)
--
Larry Mundinger (aa#451)
American Atheists Internet Representative <irep @ atheists.org>
<http://www.atheists.org/> <http://www.americanatheist.org/>
<http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
.
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
