Kentucky Court Nixes Law's 'God' Reference

August 26, 2009

Author: John Cheves

Source: The News & Observer

http://www.newsobserver.com/2178/story/1663764.html

A Kentucky judge on Wednesday struck down a 2006 state law that required the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to stress "dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the commonwealth."

Franklin, Ky., Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ruled the law violated the First Amendment's protection against the establishment of a state religion.

Homeland Security officials have been required for three years to credit "Almighty God" in their official reports and post a plaque with similar language at the state's Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, Ky.

"Even assuming that most of this nation's citizens have historically depended upon God by choice for their protection, this does not give the General Assembly the right to force citizens to do so now," Wingate wrote.