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Community Corner

Call for Comment: Atheist Family Sues to Have 'Under God' Removed From Pledge of Allegiance

The family, from Acton, alleges their children are being discriminated against.

The Pledge of Allegiance is back in court this week, after an atheist family from Acton sued the local school district, claiming their children are being discriminated against because the pledge contains the words “under God,” according to the Boston Globe.

On Monday, a lawyer for the family asked a Middlesex Superior Court judge to have the phrase removed.

The family are identified only as John and Jane Doe, and have three children—one in high school and two in middle school.

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The pledge “defines patriotism according to a particular religious belief,” the family’s attorney told the judge, saying the children are being marginalized and discriminated against, according to the Globe.

According to an attorney for the school district, the pledge is constitutional and voluntary, and Superintendent of Acton Schools Stephen Mills told the Globe there are no negative consequences for students who choose to abstain from saying the pledge.

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The judge in the case has yet to issue a ruling.

In the meantime, we thought it might be interesting to try this case in the court of public opinion.

We want to know what you think, Reading: Do you agree with the family’s argument that their children are being discriminated against, or, do you side with the the school district? 

Perhaps you’re just tired of seeing the Pledge of Allegiance dragged into court yet again?

Whatever the case may be, tell us in the comments!

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