| About this site |
| About us |
| Our beliefs |
| Your first visit? |
| Contact us |
| External links |
| Good books |
| Visitor essays |
| Our forum |
| New essays |
| Other features |
| Buy a CD |
| Vital notes |
| Non-theistic... |
| Atheism |
| Agnosticism |
| Humanism |
| Other |
| About all religions |
| Main topics |
| Basic info. |
| Gods/Goddesses |
| Handling change |
| Doubt/security |
| Quotes |
| Movies |
| Confusing terms |
| Glossary |
| World's end |
| True religion? |
| Seasonal topics |
| Science/Religion |
| More info. |
| Spiritual/ethics |
| Spirituality |
| Morality/ethics |
| Absolute truth |
| Peace/conflict |
| Attaining peace |
| Religious tolerance |
| Religious hatred |
| Religious conflict |
| Religious violence |
| Laws and news |
| Religious laws |
| Religious news |
Sponsored links
|
|
| Please forward the following message to whomever you feel might
be interested in contributing. Thanks. This message concerns the
case of Elk Grove Unified School District v. Michael Newdow,
commonly known as the "Pledge of Allegiance case," set for
oral argument before the United States Supreme Court on 24 March
2004. 1. The reference to divinity in the current Pledge of Allegiance does not merely recognize as historical fact that our Nation was believed to have been founded 'under God.' It is an affirmation that this IS "one nation under God." Nor is it simply an "acknowledgment of our religious heritage." It's a STATEMENT OF BELIEF: that there is a god, and that that god is, in some sense, over the United States.These arguments dispute those made by the many other amicus briefs already filed in this case. So far, 40 amicus curiae briefs have been filed in this case, and they all oppose Newdow. Even the brief from Americans United for Separation of Church and State opposes Newdow (by asking the court not to even hear the case). The ACLU has not filed a brief and neither has American Atheists (thought AA says they plan to). In other words, all the court is hearing are reasons why it should rule AGAINST Newdow. My brief will argue that the court should rule IN FAVOR OF Newdow, that it should uphold the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling. There's a hitch though. Right now, I'm two weeks shy of being out of work for two whole years. That's right! There are jobs around here, but nobody seems much inclined to hire someone who's in his 50s, try as he might. So . . . I'm asking for your financial support. I'm asking you to donate to the cause so I can afford to have 40 copies of the brief printed (as required by the Supreme Court). Can you help me? Can you donate $25? If I can get enough people to donate enough money fast enough, I can get this done. NOTE: Supreme Court rule 37.6 requires that the names of those who "made a monetary contribution to the preparation or submission of the brief" be listed in the brief. In other words, if you make a donation, your name will appear in the brief. See the following for details: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ctrules/rulesofthecourt.pdf Please don't send nickels and dimes. I won't accept them. The brief is limited to 30 pages, and I'm not going to submit a brief that has room for nothing but names of donors. If 100 people decide to send me $25 each, then I'm going to deposit the first dozen donations, or so, and return the others. Why sit back and let Newdow get clobbered by the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, the Attorney's General of 49 out of 50 states, the U.S. Solicitor General and a host of others, including the American Legion and the Rutherford Institute and the Christian Legal Society and the American Center for Law & Justice? (For a complete list of those who have weighed in AGAINST Newdow, check the docket for the case at the following link: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/02-1624.htm Get Involved! Take this opportunity so you can say that you acted in the matter; you didn't just sit by while the U.S. Supreme Court decided that it's OK for the State to train our kids in its official religious belief. And if this sounds like some sort of a scam to raise money, feel free to call me about this, or send me a message asking for further details. The reason I've waited so long in asking for your help is I've been trying to help myself (i.e., land a job so I don't have to beg). Thanks. BTW: It was the appeals court's decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress (June 2002) that inspired me to start a monthly column titled Religion in the News. If you're not familiar with it, you might want to take a look at it to get a better feel for my take on this issue as well as others. Here's the link: http://www.misterthorne.org/NEWS/RIN_TOC.htm Mister Thorne |
|
Home > Christianity > Prayer > School prayer > The Pledge > here |
|
or: Home > Law menu > The Pledge > here |
Posted: 2004-JAN-27
Latest update: 2004-JAN-27
|
|
|
Page Translator: