Center Supports Supreme Court Appeal in Pledge Case
The Center filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, urging the court to hear a case
involving a challenge to the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. The lawsuit was brought by California
atheist Michael Newdow and is being appealed to the high court after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the
phrase violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. (More Info)
Court Rules Bible Club Can Meet During School's "Activities Period"
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in favor of a high school Bible club seeking permission to meet
during the school's "Activities Period." The club brought suit against the Punxsutawney Area High School after it singled
the group out for exclusion because of its religious activities. (More Info.)
Opening Briefs Filed in Supreme Court Religion Case
Supported by a host of "friends of the Court," Washington Governor Gary Locke filed his opening brief in a potentially
historical Supreme Court religion case. The state is appealing a lower court ruling that it unconstitutionally
discriminated against religion by denying theology students scholarships to which they were otherwise entitled.
Among those supporting the state are the American Civil Liberties Union, American Jewish Congress, Americans United
for Separation of Church and State, the Anti-Defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee for Public Affairs, Lambda
Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Federation of Teachers, the National School Boards Association, a host of
state school boards associations, the National Education Association, People for the American Way, and a small number of
states.
The CLS Center plans to file an amicus brief in mid-August. The Court should rule no later than June 2004.
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