Federal / State Docket // Archival Dispatch
Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District
The reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance is a recognition of the religious history of the nation and not an affirmation of God Himself, and the pledge is voluntary allowing students to opt out for religious reasons.
Cite This Case
Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District, No. 05-17257 (2010).
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Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District, No. 05-17257 (2010). https://religiousliberty.tv/case-library/newdow/
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Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District (No. 05-17257) [2010] — The reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance is a recognition of the religious history of the nation and not an affirmation of God Himself, and the pledge is voluntary allowing students to opt out for religious reasons. Source: ReligiousLiberty.TV (https://religiousliberty.tv/case-library/newdow/, accessed October 15, 2026).
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Holding: The reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance is a recognition of the religious history of the nation and not an affirmation of God Himself, and the pledge is voluntary allowing students to opt out for religious reasons.
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Official Documents
Coverage on ReligiousLiberty.TV
📎 Document links found in our articles:
📄 opinion
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Religious Liberty 2010 – A Year in Review December 30, 2010
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9th Circuit Upholds the Term 'God' in Pledge and on Currency March 21, 2010
Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District (05-17257) is a Education case in 2010. The court held that the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance is a recognition of the religious history of the nation and not an affirmation of God Himself, and the pledge is voluntary allowing students to opt out for religious reasons.