Springfield School No Longer Saying 'God Bless America'

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — After getting a complaint from a lawyer, the Springfield School District will no longer feature "God bless America" at one of its schools, according to the district and a news report.

The Delaware County Daily Times reports Sabold Elementary School Principal Peter Brigg would end morning announcement with the phrase.

But the district said it recently received a complaint from an attorney claiming the inclusion of "God bless America" after the Pledge of Allegiance violates law.

"In accordance with District protocol, this complaint was forwarded to our District Solicitor's Office," the district said in a statement. "Based upon the Solicitor's legal research and recommendation, we ceased this practice. Continuation of any practices that may be unlawful would only expose the District to litigation, which the local taxpayers would have to financially support."

According to the outlet, a parent contacted the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which led attorney Christopher Line of the foundation to contact the district.

Line cited the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over the other, as the basis for his argument it violated law.

The district said students themselves can still say "God bless America" and that the Pledge of Allegiance will still be recited.

"We understand that this is an important topic for many of our constituents; however, please understand that the District does not make the law We follow it," the district's statement said.