Justices Return to Face Issues of Religion and Politics

Justices Return to Face Issues of Religion and Politics
Pledge of Allegiance Case Tops Docket in New Court Term
By Charles Lane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 5, 2003; Page A16


In its past term, the Supreme Court made history on issues of race and sexuality, upholding affirmative action in university admissions and affirming gay rights through a far-reaching ban on state sodomy laws.

Having thus reminded Americans of the impact its decisions can have on their lives, the court turns this term to no less contentious matters of religion and politics.

As the justices return to the bench Monday, the most explosive issue pending at the court is the ban imposed on the Pledge of Allegiance in West Coast public school classrooms by a San-Francisco-based federal appeals court. The court ruled that the phrase "one nation, under God" violates the federal constitutional prohibition on official religion. And later this fall, the justices will hear a case from Washington state about whether the Constitution requires states that offer college scholarships to include students who are studying for the ministry.

Having held an unusual four-hour oral argument in September on the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, the court is due to deliver a major ruling on money in politics before the beginning of 2004. And at a time of intense partisan wrangling over redistricting in several states, the justices will decide a challenge by Pennsylvania Democrats to a redistricting plan they say was designed by the Republican legislature to perpetuate GOP control over the majority-Democratic state.

more........

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44463-2003Oct4.html

...the Supreme Court will have the courage do so - even if they believe it should be. And maybe thats the best, cuz if they did, it would become a hot button issue conservatives could use to beat liberals over the head with. Too bad it was ever put in in the first place. The obvious solution is just to make students aware that they can say 'under God' at the end voluntarily if they choose to, just like they can pray if they so choose. Coersion by the Gov is both wrong and unecessary.

This is just a small reminder though of what I believe is the most important issue in the election next year. Bush appointing several Scalia clones to the court in his next term, which is likely, would be a disaster, imo.

I offer a number of insights on this issue at

http://www.LiberalsLikeChrist.Org/ChurchState
&
http://www.LiberalsLikeChrist.Org/underGod.

See what Christ might say about the "Christian Coalition" & "Religious Right" imposters.