[JURIST] The US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld a Virginia law [text; overview] requiring daily recital of the Pledge of Allegiance [JURIST news archive] in Virginia public schools. Attorneys for plaintiff Edward Myers had argued that the phrase "one nation under God" was tantamount to governmental establishment and endorsement of religion, a violation of the Establishment Clause [overview]. The three-judge panel ruled [opinion text] that the statute does not have a religious purpose or effect, calling it a "patriotic exercise". It is not clear if Myers will appeal to the US Supreme Court. AP has more.