Atheist group's Pledge recital draws ire

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — An attorney for the Tampa city council has asked an atheist group to refrain from saying a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings instead of reciting it improperly.

Members of the group skip the words “under God” when they say the pledge at council meetings. On Thursday, attorney Marty Shelby asked them to instead remain silent during the section. Shelby says it is “disruptive” to skip the words.

Shelby says members of the city council asked him to bring up the issue.

It isn’t the first time the atheist group has tangled with the city council. They also take issue with a prayer that occurs before the council’s meetings.