Court weighs case challenging ‘under God’

Justices of highest court in Massachusetts examined the nature of the Pledge of Allegiance in early September as they heard a challenge from atheists who want the pledge banned in schools statewide.

At issue is whether the pledge—and its reference to “one nation under God” —violate the equal rights amendment in the state’s constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of creed.

Attorney David Niose, representing anonymous atheist parents, told justices on September 4 that atheist children “are denied meaningful participation in this patriotic exercise” because the language refers to God.