New Jersey judge tosses Pledge of Allegiance lawsuit over 'Under God'

A New Jersey judge ruled on Friday that the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance does not discriminate against atheists.

Early last year, a family sued the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District , saying that the phrase, which was added to the Pledge in 1954, discriminated against atheists. The American Humanist Association (AHA) was also a defendant in the case and they sought to have the phrase removed.

However, Superior Court Judge David Bauman disagreed, notes NJ.com. In his decision, Bauman said that the Pledge is considered a show of patriotism, not religious beliefs. Instead, it is a way to “transmit core values of duty, honor, pride and fidelity to country,” he ruled.

This is the sixth time the AHA has lost a case like this. Bauman pointed out that their argument was ironic, since they cited the New Jersey State Constitution, which itself makes reference to God.

“We are grateful for the time (Bauman) took to write a very thoughtful and well-informed decision,” David Rubin, attorney for the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District, told NJ.com. However, he said that he wouldn’t be surprised if the AHA appeals.

Bauman’s decision falls in line with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in May. The chief justice there also agreed that the Pledge is not religious, notes CBS Boston.