Despite court ruling, pledge goes on as usual. (update).

When California schools went back into session in late July, students continued saying the Pledge of Allegiance as usual and will so--for now.

The Elk Grove (Calif.) Unified School District immediately appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court's ruling last spring that the phrase "one nation under God" in the pledge violates separation between church and state when recited in public schools. The Supreme Court will likely make a decision on whether to hear the case in late fall. "We felt that the language in the pledge, including the wording 'under God,' is not pushing religion on children. It is a reflection

of an important part of the history of the country," says David Gordon, Elk Grove superintendent of schools.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over California and eight other Western states, issued a stay of its own decision in March to allow for the Elk Grove district's petition to the Supreme Court. Under the ruling, which has not been enforced, nearly 10 million children in the West would have to delete the phrase--'one nation under God'--from the pledge. The circuit court's opinion prompted a massive outcry nationwide. Federal officials, including President Bush, denounced it.

Michael Newdow, a Sacramento, Calif., atheist, brought the case to the circuit court. He stated that his 8-year-old daughter should not have to listen to the pledge while in school.

Barry Lynn, executive director of the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, agrees with Newdow, noting the pledge did not include the phrase kinder God' until 1954 when the country was in fear of Communism and wanted to declare its goodness compared to the communists. "We don't see any reason for [the Supreme Court] to take this case. We think [the circuit court decision] stands as good law," he says. "The government is not supposed to get involved in the promotion of religion."

Calif. Gov. Gray Davis says reciting the plebe in school is voluntary, but denying students a chance is wrong. "Certainly, if the U.S. Supreme Court can begin its day with 'God save the United States and this Honorable Court,' school children should be permitted to recite the Pledge of Allegiance," Davis says.