One criteria that US courts may consider in "under God" cases is whether or not students feel coerced by

either their schools or peers into saying the Pledge of Allegiance with the words "under God." Some state
laws stipulate that students are permitted to opt out of saying the Pledge, usually with permission
of their parent or guardian. Debate continues on whether peer pressure, even considering the
students' right to opt out, would constitute religious coercion.
Students are expected to speak the phrase "under God" when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The
consequences for omitting or amending this phrase are not legally determined and may vary depending
upon the state or school board. According to an Aug. 2003 report by the Education Commission of the
States, 43 states have laws regarding requirements for student recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in
schools (as of Aug. 2003). (Seven states have no laws regarding requirements for the recitation of the
Pledge of Allegiance in schools: Iowa, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, Vermont, and Wyoming.)