UPDATE ADL subsequently submitted a friend of the court brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the Pledge of Allegiance Case, Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow. For information on the court's decision, see "Court Rejects Pledge Challenge."

New York, NY, June 27, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued the following statement in response to the federal appeals court ruling which deemed the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional.

Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said:

The decision is wrong. It goes against the culture and traditions of this country, which was founded on principles respectful of faith. The statement, "one nation under God" does not proclaim nor endorse any religion. And we hope that it will be reversed on appeal, to return to the American people a constitutional ability to express themselves in a Pledge of Allegiance which includes a recognition of God.

The controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance is unfortunate. It threatens to trivialize church-state separation issues and divert our attention from much more important First Amendment challenges - such as vouchers, school prayer initiatives and "charitable choice." At this time of national crisis, it is important to keep perspective. We believe there are more important challenges where our efforts should be focused.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.