I don t trust in God I an American The Story of Michael Newdow
... ” (“Webster’s II Dictionary”) Michael Newdow is a parent of a young daughter in public schools, and is an atheist. He wants the pledge of allegiance to be restored to its pre 1954 form, (Newdow) by having the United States Congress remove the phase, “under god,” from the pledge, as it was 29 years ago. ... Finally, it was changed in 1954 by adding the phrase “under god. ... He argued that people should not be required to say something they don’t believe in. ... Michael Newdow says that The Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional and should be restored to its pre 1954 form. “Even though his daughter wasn’t required to recite the pledge. ... Although not having to recite it, she still was exposed to the beliefs of god. She should not have to be told there is a god while attending a public school. ... ” (Smith) This is unconstitutional because the pledge has the phrase “under god” in it and is recited by friends, peers and elders. ... Michael Newdow originally sued the state of California in the United States Court for the Eastern District of California. He wanted the California Education Code § 52720¹ (1989) to be changed so that the elementary schools in California did not have to say the pledge and he want the congress to change the pledge removing the phrase “under god.