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WASHINGTON - Michael Newdow, who previously brought a lawsuit against the Pledge of Allegiance, has once again filed a suit challenging the national motto, "In God We trust."
Dr. Newdow filed a lawsuit with U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California last week. The American Center for Law and Justice will be representing members of Congress who have also been sued in this action. ACLJ chief counsel Jay Sekulow said he will fight to protect the national motto all the way to the Supreme Court.
"Our national motto, 'In God We Trust,' is not only permissible, but constitutional as well. This lawsuit is another attempt to use the legal system to remove a legitimate reference to the religious heritage of America-in this case banning the motto of the United States," said Sekulow. "Litigation filed by Michael Newdow must be taken seriously since he has now twice attempted to have the pledge declared unconstitutional."
"In God We Trust" appears on U.S. currency and has been the official U.S. motto since 1956.
"Mere acknowledgment of God by the government cannot be said to be 'establishment of religion,' such that it would violate the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution," said Sekulow. "The nation's history is replete with examples of acknowledgment of religious belief in the public sector."
The Supreme Court has on several occasions referenced the national motto as a legitimate expression of our religious heritage. "The underlying premise of the national motto can be traced to our founding," said Sekulow. "The Declaration of Independence says that we are endowed by our Creator to have certain unalienable rights. The founders recognized that rights and liberties derive from an authority higher than government, which means that government cannot take these rights and liberties away." 11-25-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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