5th Circuit Hears Oral Arguments In Challenge To Texas Pledge of Allegiance

Yesterday the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Croft v. Perry, (recording or oral arguments), an Establishment Clause challenge to the Texas Pledge of Allegiance recited in public schools in Texas. State law permits students to opt out of reciting the Pledge, which refers to Texas as "one state under God." The district court found a secular legislative purpose and concluded the pledge did not amount to an endorsement of religion. (See prior posting.) Texas Tribune reports on the case and has posted the full text of the Texas Attorney General's brief in the appeal.