Local Buddhists join suit over the Pledge

[mumon]

http://www.union-bulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=19995

A Walla Walla Buddhist center is joining a lawsuit that will be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the words ``under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance.

On March 24 the court will consider whether requiring school children to recite the Pledge violates the First Amendment.

The Buddhist faith{sic} teaches wholesomeness in mind, action and spoken word and does not encompass the existence of a god...

``The California guy is an atheist. We're a religion. He can't argue the case on a religious basis. We can,' Phelan said.

Well, if this doesn't fly now, we CAN say that freedom of religion in America's a myth.

[sasquatch]

1. It always sort of has been a myth

I live near Cincinnati where religous fundies lobby prosecuters and police to go after porn sellers. We live in a country where we're free to shove Christian values down peoples throats.

[sam sarrha]

2. It is out of character for "Buddhists" to demonstrate about such things.

Anybody know what "Buddhist" group is is joining the suit ????

Actually i could see a "Buddhist" supporting the suit as an individual. But as a "Group" it is strange, very strange.

[msanger]

3. A Few Simsapa Leaves Buddhist Center

is who the article says is the group. I think it is 'strange' that buddhists aren't more socially engaged, but I think that is changing.

I know the group I belong to "Shambhala" has the goal of creating/manifesting enlightend society.

[PlanetBev]

6. I am a socially engaged Buddhist

Who marched my ass off against the war with other Buddhist friends. I went to candlelight vigils, etc. No one should stand by and stay silent while Bush turns Planet Earth into a smoldering ruin.

[Bonobo]

4. How's this for silly!

When I was in junior high, we had to recite the pledge every morning as someone (usually the prinicpal) read it from the class loudspeaker. We would stand their with our innocent little hands covering our poor brainwashed hearts and recite.

Here's the funny part: When we got to the "One nation under God" part, he would force us to say it with no pause between "One nation" and "under God".

He was SO INSISTENT about it that it was scary. Wherever you are, Mr. DeAngelo, I hope you're sweating with a pitchfork up your ass...

[Hand]

5. You ain't the only one...

My third grade teacher insisted on this usage, too. She was also given to cutting off discussions among the students by declaring "God made the world, and that's all there is to it!"

Mind you, this was in the California public schools in the late 1950s. I wouldn't be surprised if they're still getting away with it, though. Crazy old bag.