Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Contact 90.5 WESA with a story idea or news tip: news@wesa.fm

Pennsylvania School Drops ‘God Bless America’ After Pledge Of Allegiance

Aaron Sprecher
/
AP
A detail view of a U.S. American flag during a Northwestern State University at Houston Baptist University NCAA college baseball game, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Houston.

A Pennsylvania school principal will no longer say "God bless America" after leading students in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Peter Brigg's practice at Sabold Elementary School in Springfield led at least one parent to complain to the Freedom for Religion Foundation, whose attorney contacted the district. The group claimed it violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition of government sponsoring religious messages.

The district decided to cease the practice after consulting with its lawyer. In a statement , the district says it is not prohibiting students from reciting "God bless America" after the pledge on their own.

The foundation says "young elementary school children don't need to be coerced into affirming God's name every morning."

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.