Federal Judge Upholds "In God We Trust" on U.S. Currency

June 13, 2006

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/193/story_19322.html

On June 13, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "A federal judge in California ruled against an atheist on Monday (June 12) who argued that minting the phrase 'In God We Trust' on U.S. currency violated constitutional prohibitions against the government promoting religious ideas. Following precedent established by a 1970 court decision, U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. ruled that the words 'In God We Trust' are a national motto that 'have nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion.' Michael Newdow, a Sacramento doctor and lawyer who argued that the phrase violates his right to be treated equally, vowed on Tuesday to appeal the ruling. 'It's such a fraud,' Newdow said in an interview. 'In this nation that's supposed to be this beacon of religious liberty, a bastion of equality. What's next, "In Jesus We Trust," "In Protestantism We Trust"?' Two years ago, Newdow, an avowed atheist, battled all the way to the Supreme Court to have the phrase 'under God' removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. The high court ruled the Sacremento man lacked the standing to bring the case."