---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a principle here and I'm hoping…"
description: "\"There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will uphold this principle so that we can finally go back and have every American want to stand up, f..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png"
---

#  There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will…

![“There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will uphold this principle so that we can finally go back and have every American want to stand up, face the flag, place their hand over their heart and pledge to one nation, indivisible, not divided by religion, with liberty and justice for all.” quote by Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png)

> “There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will uphold this principle so that we can finally go back and have every American want to stand up, face the flag, place their hand over their heart and pledge to one nation, indivisible, not divided by religion, with liberty and justice for all.”

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates for a unifying national pledge that transcends religious division, emphasizing liberty and justice for all.

**In simple terms:** Calls for a shared, non‑religious pledge of loyalty.

Key Takeaway

Promote inclusive civic rituals.

Themes

patriotism nationhood religion unity

Mood

proud hopeful

Type

political inspirational

When to use this quote

- public ceremonies
- school curricula
- government policy
- community events

Key Concepts

civic duty secularism national identity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we balance religious freedom with national unity?
- What symbols best represent shared values?

A Different Perspective

May face opposition from groups favoring religious references.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Flags](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flags/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice for all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-for-all/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty and justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-and-justice/) [Liberty and justice for all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-and-justice-for-all/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Pledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledge/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

## Related quotes

> [The last time I checked, the only difference between my gay friends and I is who we choose to love. I'm not sure how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pink/the-last-time-i-checked-the-only-difference-between-my-gay-friends/)

[Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pink/)

> [Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/let-us-remember-that-we-can-do-these-things-not-just-because-of/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [America is my home - I believe in her promise and I will do what I can to secure that promise for future generations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-gonzales/america-is-my-home-i-believe-in-her-promise-and-i-will-do-what-i-can/)

[Alberto Gonzales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-gonzales/)

> [When we say, 'One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all', we are talking about all people. We either ought to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/when-we-say-one-nation-under-god-with-liberty-and-justice-for-all-we/)

[Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/)

> [America stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all. And it's not happening for all right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-kaepernick/america-stands-for-freedom-liberty-and-justice-for-all-and-it-s-not/)

[Colin Kaepernick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-kaepernick/)

> [The Pledge of Allegiance says "...with liberty and justice for all." What part of "all" don't you understand?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/the-pledge-of-allegiance-says-with-liberty-and-justice-for-all-what/)

[Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/)

> [Those of us who have the privilege to serve this country have an obligation to do our job as best we can. We come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/those-of-us-who-have-the-privilege-to-serve-this-country-have-an/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [At this moment in history, we are called to act as if we truly believe that liberty and justice for all is a desirable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/at-this-moment-in-history-we-are-called-to-act-as-if-we-truly-believe/)

[Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/)

> [That is the story of our history - whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people or the struggle for equality for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-the-story-of-our-history-whether-it-s-the-pursuit-of/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Our Founding Fathers understood that our country would survive and flourish if our Nation was committed to good character and an unyielding dedication to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/our-founding-fathers-understood-that-our-country-would-survive-and/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [The freedom of thought and action we Americans enjoy today seems as natural as the air we breathe. But there is a danger we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-freedom-of-thought-and-action-we-americans-enjoy-today-seems-as/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [From what I can see it's that, if you have money you have access to justice. If you don't, it's becoming increasingly less and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/from-what-i-can-see-it-s-that-if-you-have-money-you-have-access-to/)

[Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/)

> [America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-can-do-whatever-we-set-our-mind-to-that-is-the-story-of-our/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [You need to understand something, you drink deeply from wells of freedom and liberty and opportunity that you did not dig. You eat lavishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/you-need-to-understand-something-you-drink-deeply-from-wells-of/)

[Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/)

> [The American Dream is freedom, prosperity, peace-and liberty and justice for all. That's a big dream. It's not always easy to achieve, but that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-american-dream-is-freedom-prosperity-peace-and-liberty-and/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

## More by Michael Newdow

> [I was considering running for political office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-was-considering-running-for-political-office/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [One day I was just looking at the coins is what brought this up. I saw "In God We Trust" on my coins. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/one-day-i-was-just-looking-at-the-coins-is-what-brought-this-up-i-saw/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [My daughter is in the lawsuit because you need that for standing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/my-daughter-is-in-the-lawsuit-because-you-need-that-for-standing/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [And as soon as I did the research, I realized the law seemed to be on my side and I filed the suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/and-as-soon-as-i-did-the-research-i-realized-the-law-seemed-to-be-on/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [But in America, if you're an atheist, you lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/but-in-america-if-you-re-an-atheist-you-lose/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [I believe in the Constitution. The Constitution says that government isn't supposed to be infusing religion into our society, and so I asked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-believe-in-the-constitution-the-constitution-says-that-government/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [Most people I know I think agree and even many theists agree with this. We don't want government involved. When atheists become the majority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/most-people-i-know-i-think-agree-and-even-many-theists-agree-with/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [This issue is whether or not our government should be infusing religion into the public schools. Our churches are very strong in this nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/this-issue-is-whether-or-not-our-government-should-be-infusing/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [I believe I am strengthening the Constitution with my case.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-believe-i-am-strengthening-the-constitution-with-my-case/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia should be commended for acknowledging that his views are so strong that - should the Pledge case reach the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/supreme-court-justice-anton-scalia-should-be-commended-for/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [No person who denies the existence of a supreme being shall hold any office under this Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/no-person-who-denies-the-existence-of-a-supreme-being-shall-hold-any/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [“Those who deny the existence of a supreme being have been turned into second-class citizens by a government that continuously sends a message that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/those-who-deny-the-existence-of-a-supreme-being-have-been-turned-into/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [I brought this case because I am an atheist and this offends me, and I have the right to bring up my daughter without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-brought-this-case-because-i-am-an-atheist-and-this-offends-me-and-i/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [I feel like I am not an American in the eyes of my government because of their religious beliefs. I think that is un-American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-feel-like-i-am-not-an-american-in-the-eyes-of-my-government-because/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

> [I have numerous people who have expressed a willingness to be plaintiffs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-have-numerous-people-who-have-expressed-a-willingness-to-be/)

[Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

[Explore all 29 Michael Newdow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/)

## More Atheism quotes

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/)

[Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/)

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

> [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

> [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/)

[Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/)

> [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/)

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/)

> [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

[Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will uphold this principle so that we can finally go back and have every American want to stand up, face the flag, place their hand over their heart and pledge to one nation, indivisible, not divided by religion, with liberty and justice for all.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Newdow"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping-the-court-will-uphold-this/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Atheism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping-the-court-will-uphold-this/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/michael-newdow-21517_atheism_there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping_862301.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There's a principle here and I'm hoping the court will uphold this principle so that we can finally go back…” — Michael Newdow",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Michael Newdow",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "There's a principle here and I'm...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping-the-court-will-uphold-this/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/there-s-a-principle-here-and-i-m-hoping-the-court-will-uphold-this/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
