Atheists want God stricken from inaugural oath
California atheist Michael Newdow is at it again in another attempt to outdo Madeleine Murray O'Hare in his attempt to do away with any vestiges of God. Newdow has sued Chief Justice John Roberts in federal court for an injunction barring the use of the words "so help me God," in the inaugural oath. Newdow and other atheists and agnostics also want to stop the use of prayers during the inaugural celebration.
President-elect Obama has stated he wants the oath to conclude with the words, "so help me God".
In the past, Newdow has lost a Supreme Court battle to get the words "under God" taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance and has failed in similar challenges to the use of religious words and prayers at President George W. Bush's inaugurations.
The Justice Department and attorneys general from all 50 states have filed motions at the federal court asking for the lawsuit to be thrown out.
The inaugural oath is dictated by the U Constitution. 35 words long, the oath reads, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Besides Chief Justice Roberts, Senator Feinstein and the two pastors invited to the event; the Rev. Rick Warren and the Rev. Joseph Lowery are also named in the court case which will be heard on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton.
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Might be interesting, wasn't U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton the one who sentenced 'Scooter' Libby to jail?
Atheism is a Religion, pure and simple. To force someone to say or not say something is tantamount to forceing a religous preference. That violates the 1st Amendment in at least two ways - the religious establishment clause and freedom of speech.
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Interesting aspect to the question of the 1st Amendment Fritz. How can the court DENY Obama the right to use the phrase, "so help me God" in his oath?
You are correct. Walton did sentence Libby. He is also the Judge for the Ashcroft/anthrax suits, as well as hearing some of the Gitmo cases.
He seems to have his own problems with following ethics in government rules when it comes to his own 2003 financial disclosure reports which were all redacted.
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