From Deseret News archives:
Shurtleff believes justices will back deity references
He says all attorneys general in U.S. want the pledge kept intact
"Ultimately they will decide the matter (of removing references to God) was wrong," Shurtleff said Wednesday at Utah Valley State College.
The top court had a chance in 2004 to comment on the "one nation, under God" part of the pledge. The justices preserved the reference to God but on a technicality: They ruled that the plaintiff did not have a case because he did not have custody of his children, on whose behalf he sued.
The atheist plaintiff "refiled that case, and now he's filing a suit for the government to withdraw 'in God we trust' from the coins," Shurtleff said.
"My feeling is he's trying to force his beliefs on the rest of us."
Shurtleff, a Republican, spoke to members of the College Republicans at a rally promoting the American flag, prayer in government meetings and the inclusion of God in the Pledge of Allegiance all of which the attorney general said he supports.
"That's not true for all politicians," Shurtleff said.
Critics of such references to God in public meetings say they violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment that keeps religion out of government.
People pray in public life because they want to "recognize the hand of God in the founding of this nation," he said.
However, he noted that all 50 attorneys general wrote letters protesting the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to ban "under God" from the pledge before the case went to the Supreme Court in 2004.
"What was unique was that 50 AGs we're talking every party believed the 9th Circuit was wrong legally," he said.
Pride for the U.S. flag reached a zenith after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Shurtleff said.
He recalled a time after the terrorist attacks when he had to reassure his children that it was safe to go outside and be with other people.
"Just look outside, the flag was still flying," he said.
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
Comments
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust 2:01 a.m.
- Wildcats face tough defense 1:59 a.m.
- Aggies look to Idaho for an example 1:58 a.m.
- Aggies host Southern Utah 1:53 a.m.
- Cougars turn back Wildcats' 1:44 a.m.
- Cougar women lose at home 1:41 a.m.
- Sloan's two point guard lineup 1:39 a.m.
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory 1:36 a.m.
- RSL's Movsisyan departs 1:36 a.m.
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset 1:27 a.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
265 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
128 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
93 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
85 - Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
75
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Score more points.
When the coach is organized and runs the team, there is consistancy. When...
Hello Anonymous...you chicken to let us know who you are? What is wrong with...
Speed kills. Utes win.
Coach Whittingham!
And Y'all thought BYU football was Bi-Polar? Somebody get these guys some meds!
Instead of getting rid of football let's get rid of the crap that you teach...
Speed kills, as we have seen with TCU and Florida St. Utah is faster and more...
Kudos to the Utes on a big win. It makes the Aggies loss to you hurt just a...
is why we're so up and down. I think they will be solid by conference play....




You can be the first to comment on this story.