After a protracted legal battle, the words "under God" in the United States' Pledge of Allegiance, has been upheld as constitutional and permissible, in the face of a legal challenge from atheist, Michael Newdow. He also filed suit to have the U.S. motto "In God we trust" removed from American currency. That case has failed as well.
Hopefully one day, Mr. Newdow will come to see, understand and appreciate the love of God.
Court: 'Under God' is constitutional
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - (03-11) 17:32 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- The federal court that touched off a furor in 2002 by declaring the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion took another look at the issue Thursday and said the phrase invokes patriotism, not religious faith.
The daily schoolroom ritual is not a prayer, but instead "a recognition of our founders' political philosophy that a power greater than the government gives the people their inalienable rights," said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco in a 2-1 ruling.
"Thus, the pledge is an endorsement of our form of government, not of religion or any particular sect."...
In a separate ruling, the same panel upheld the use of the national motto, "In God We Trust," on coins and currency. The language is patriotic and ceremonial, not religious, the court said...
Both suits were filed by Michael Newdow, a Sacramento atheist who has brought numerous challenges to government-sponsored religious invocations...
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