Akron, OH Beacon Journal - Malone College Talk to Debate "under God" in Pledge of Allegiance

March 20, 2006
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal Religion Writer

Michael Newdow and Jay Sekulow will debate the constitutionality of the phrase "under God'' during the Malone College Worldview Forum series at 8 p.m. Monday at First Christian Church, 2600 Cleveland Ave. N.W., Canton.

Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, has argued several cases regarding religious liberty and other constitutional freedoms before the U.S. Supreme Court. Those cases have cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on school campuses and allowed minors to participate in political campaigns.

Newdow, an activist in constitutional law, is best known for his efforts to take "under God'' out of the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust'' off money. He is an ordained minister of the Universal Life church, an attorney and physician.

The forum will be moderated by Robert Zwier, provost and professor of political science at Malone.