A parent in the Issaquah School District in King County, Washington requested that the school board eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance from their regular business meetings.

“It is inappropriate for the school board to ask atheists to stand and proclaim they are ‘under God,’” said [Matthew] Barry, a self-proclaimed atheist. “Atheists don’t believe in gods, so they certainly don’t think they or the nation are under a god.” … “It’s none of the government’s business what our private religious beliefs are, if any, and certainly none of the government’s business to ask us to stand and publicly proclaim what those beliefs are,” he added. “Most would agree it’s even worse if the government asks someone to stand and say something that contradicts their belief system.”

And, not surprisingly, the article quotes someone who has no clue what he’s talking about:

“If I understand his logic correctly, simply because something is offensive and unnecessary, it should be removed,” said Jared Spataro, a parent and Boy Scout Leader whose Scouts presented the colors that night. … “I understand many things we do are offensive to people,” Spataro added. “But just because a small group of people, or even a large group of people, are offended it doesn’t mean they are right.”

Spataro doesn’t understand his logic correctly.

Offensive is ok. Let people be challenged. But to proclaim we’re a nation under a god violates the idea of church/state separation. It’s unconstitutional. That’s why it’s wrong. End of story.

No word on whether the school board will change their ways.

Unfortunately, I’m not hopeful.

But kudos to Matthew Barry for being the voice of reason. It’d be nice if others knew their history as well as he does.



