|
| |
|
Court decision on the Pledge of
Allegiance
|
| Interfaith
group supports court decision on "Pledge of Allegiance"
Inclusive people of faith applaud historic decision as
good for religion and good for America
This news release from Equal Partners in Faith was
issued on 6-26-02. It is posted here on 6-27-02.
Equal Partners in Faith (EPF), a multi-racial national
network of religious leaders and people of faith, today applauded the
historic and controversial decision on the Pledge of Allegiance by the
9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. In a 2-1 decision, the court declared
recitation of the pledge in public schools unconstitutional because it
includes the words ''under God.'' (These words were added to the Pledge
by Congress in 1954).
"The Court was absolutely right to declare this
religious affirmation unconstitutional," said Dr. Sylvia Rhue,
Director of Equal Partners in Faith. "We support faith and we
support patriotism, but we do not support government-sponsored
religion." The case was brought before the Court by a Sacramento
parent who objected to the requirement that his second-grade daughter
recite the pledge in her public school. In its historic decision, the
Court declared that the school district requiring the pledge is
"conveying a message of state endorsement of a religious
belief."
According to the Court, "A profession that we are
a nation 'under God' is identical, for Establishment Clause purposes, to
a profession that we are a nation 'under Jesus,' a nation 'under
Vishnu,' a nation 'under Zeus,' or a nation 'under no God,' because none
of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion.''
"This decision was a victory for religious
freedom and a defeat for the special rights sought by some religious
groups," said Rev. Ken Brooker Langston, a Board member of EPF and
the national field director for Americans United for Separation of
Church and State. "No one should have to affirm God, Vishnu, Buddha
or any other religious entity in order to express her or his
patriotism."
| This is just one view of a very debatable judiciary
decision. What do you think of this action - and of the Supreme Court's
decision allowing the use of "vouchers" to assist parents in
paying for their children's education in religious and other private
schools? Please send a note, and we'll post comments
here. |
The press release concludes with this information about the group:
EQUAL PARTNERS in FAITH is a multi-racial national
network of religious leaders and people of faith committed to equality
and diversity. Our diverse faith traditions and shared religious values
lead us to affirm and defend the equality of all people, regardless of
religion, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
As people of faith, we actively oppose the manipulation of religion to
promote inequality and exclusion.
Join us and help us promote a more inclusive vision of
religion and society. http://www.us.net/epf/SupportEPF.htm
Equal Partners in Faith
5 Thomas Circle
Washington DC 20005
1-877-501-4194
1-202-797-0111 (fax)
website: http://www.us.net/epf/index2.html
e-mail: epfinfo@aol.com
|
| |
| |
|
If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Presbyterian Voices for Justice" and marked "web site," to
our PVJ Treasurer:
Darcy Hawk
4007 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044-8312 |
| |
|
Some blogs worth visiting |
|
PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
| |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
| |
|
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
| |
|
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
| |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
