Voices Voices (March 26, 2004)

Should the Supreme Court rule the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of the words "under god?"

Asked in downtown Mountain View. Pictures and interviews by Dan Stapleton.

"I think it's probably a good thing to take it out. The United States is about freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and the Pledge is not fair to other religious. It's a tough call."
Daniel Auer, Mountain View

"I think they should leave the Pledge the way it is. I don't see a violation of the First Amendment because we've already got references to god in other places, like on our money."
Al Mroze, Sunnyvale

"I think they should really keep politics and religion separate, so it shouldn't even be in there. That's the way it's done in my country, Belgium."
Wivine Klitgord, Mountain View

"Out of all the issues I have a problem with about the separation of church and state and public schools, that's about the least of them. It's not like they've got the 10 Commandments up in schools."
Sasha Hauge, Mountain View

"I'm a Christian, and I do think that religion in schools can help kids behave better. But for people that do not have religion it is hard. With children, their minds are like a blank piece of paper. But if I had to choose, I would choose to keep the Pledge."
Qian Niles, Mountain View

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