Source: The Associated Press

http://newsobserver.com/nc24hour/ncnews/story/3411782p-3032544c.html

On March 12, 2004 The Associated Press reported, " A district court judge has asked local officials to remove religious references, including oaths that end "so help me God" and a traditional blessing for the state and court, in courtrooms when he presides. Judge James M. Honeycutt said in a letter that the court system is seeing an increasing number of people from other cultures that are not necessarily Christian. 'I believe that the burden should not be on those individuals to speak up and request an oath that does not mention God or use the Christian Bible,' Honeycutt wrote. Honeycutt is one of nine judges who preside over District Court sessions in the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Alexander, Davidson, Davie and Iredell counties. He wrote that his request applies only to his own sessions, not to those presided over by other judges. Still, the decision rankled some in Davidson County, which is already embroiled in a fight over a sign reading "In God We Trust" on its government building."