Poll: America Wants God in the Pledge

July 1 -- The 9th Circuit may differ, but an overwhelming majority of Americans pledge allegiance to the pledge.

Eighty-four percent in an ABCNEWS.com/Washington Post poll oppose last week's ruling by the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the pledge is unconstitutional because the phrase "under God," added by Congress in 1954, violates church-state separation.

Eighty-nine percent also say the phrase should remain in the pledge.

George W. Bush called the ruling "ridiculous" and both houses of Congress passed resolutions condemning it. Decided by a three-judge panel, the ruling was put on hold until the full court reviews it.

Some Younger Americans Want God Out

Overwhelming majorities across demographic groups oppose the court's decision, but there is some variation. Seventy-seven percent of younger Americans oppose the ruling; that rises to 91 percent of those 65 and older. And virtually all Republicans oppose the ruling — 98 percent, compared to 78 percent of Democrats and 81 percent of independents.

Methodology

This ABCNEWS.com/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone June 26-30, 2002, among a random national sample of 1,024 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our Poll Vault.