Last Wednesday (under God) a federal judge in California ruled it unconstitutional (under God) to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton stated (under God) the reference to a nation “under God” was a violation of a student’s right to be “free from a coercive requirement to affirm God.”

We at the Northern Star agree.

Referencing either “God” or “a god” subjects students of all sects, religions and upbringings (under God) to daily acknowledgments of a higher being. Not only does this alienate students who refer to a deity by a name other than “God,” but it entirely distances atheist or agnostic students.

If the country is based on an all-inclusive freedom-of-religion, this principle should be upheld (under God). Yet the only way not to exclude a large number of the thousands of religious-orders is to avoid playing favorites.

Thus, removal of the phrase in question seems logical.

But, religion should not be banned in schools entirely, as students (under God) may be given opportunities and means to exercise personal beliefs. However, attendance at these opportunities should be voluntary, and the events should be held outside the state-regulated learning-hours (under God).

Instances like this will assure personal freedoms associated with public schools (under God) and revert the Pledge to its original form. Seeing how “under God” was inserted into the saying during the early 1950s – nearly 60 years after it was penned – the Star favors its traditional form.

After all, being able to glance over the phrase “under God” is one thing, but ignoring it completely is another. And those affected negatively by the phrase have the right to avoid it.

Agree? Disagree? Contact us at

www.northernstar.info.