Judge turns down atheist's suit challenging 'In God We Trust' (Michael Newdow says he will appeal)

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 6/12/06 | Steve Lawrence - ap

[NormsRevenge]

A federal judge on Monday rejected a lawsuit from an atheist who said the use of "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins violated his First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. said the minted words amounted to a secular national slogan that did not trample on Michael Newdow's religious views.

"There is no proper allegation that the government compelled plaintiff to affirm a repugnant belief in monotheism," Damrell said in dismissing the suit.

Newdow, a Sacramento doctor and lawyer, also lost an effort two years ago to have the Pledge of Allegiance banned from public schools because it contains the words "under God."

He took his pledge fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, which said he lacked standing to bring the case because he didn't have custody of the daughter on whose behalf be brought the case.

A Sacramento federal judge sided with Newdow last September after he filed an identical lawsuit on behalf of parents with children in three Sacramento-area school districts. The case is pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Informed of the "In God We Trust" decision on Monday, Newdow said he was not disappointed because it would give him an edge in an appeal.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Well, even if this nutcase manages to get it taken off the coins, there's not much he can do about the bills. If they stop printing it on the bills, people will just take matters into their own hands, buy little rubber stamps, and within a week or two, every newfangled bill in circulation will have the familiar "In God We Trust" on it.

[edweena]

Perhaps they should print money with a mix of different mottoes--something for everyone.
"Shalom"
"Inshallah"
"Libertas"
"Mother Gaia"
"Blessed Be"
"Mind Your Business" (actually on the first coin minted in America)http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCurrency/CurrencyText/CC-02-17-76.html

[Celtman]

...there's not much he can do about the bills.

Actually, our paper "money" is not issued by the government - it's issued by the Federal Reserve Bank, a private corporation.

[AmericaUnited]

If they stop printing it on the bills, people will just take matters into their own hands, buy little rubber stamps, and within a week or two, every newfangled bill in circulation will have the familiar "In God We Trust" on it.

Brilliant!

[perfect stranger]

Have you used this one?

[perfect stranger]

He took his pledge fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, which said he lacked standing to bring the case because he didn't have custody of the daughter on whose behalf be brought the case.

IIRC she was in custody of her Mother and both were attending a Catholic church during all this.

[newzjunkey]

This phrase first appeared on US money circa 1863.

It didn't become standardized across all US currency until the 1950's however.

[SierraWasp]

What is it about ER Doctors that makes almost all of them vicious leftist subversive and seditious. They HATE America and it traditions, customs and mores with every fibre of their beings.(even when they claim to be Repubs)

And any thing straight, or conservative, or patriotic, or righteous, or religious, or pro life, or pro God... in fact they're not in favor of anything being good in America except unless it were to be taken over by Socialist Commonists!!!

Why is that? Please explain, complete with pictures if necessary.

[HitmanLV]

Michael Newdow sure offends quite easily, huh?

[SierraWasp]

Oh... That's superb!!! (wide grin)

[granite]

Washington continues to Give Praise to God

On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC are two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument have no idea they are even there and...for that matter...probably couldn't care less!

But there they are...5.125 inches high ... perched atop the monument to the father of our nation. The Washington Monument is 55 feet wide at the base and 555 feet tall, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. It is made of 36,000 stones of marble (from Maryland) and granite (from Maine) and weighs 90,000 tons. The monument sees about 800,000 visitors a year.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words ... out of sight and, one might think, out of mind ... but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the world. And what might those two words ... composed of just four syllables and only seven letters ... mean? Very simply ... "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848 when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with the tribute Laus Deo! Praise be to God!

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape ... with the White House to the North, the Jefferson Memorial to the South, the Capitol to the East, and the Lincoln Memorial to the West. A cross ... you say?

How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! One interesting feature is the interior iron stairway with 50 landings and 897 stone steps. These donated stones come from every state in the Union, as well as Native American nations and foreign countries. While the stairwell has been closed since the 1970s, visitors can gain access to the top observation area via elevator. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .. "one nation, under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well now is your opportunity ... read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

As you might have guessed ... I kind of like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God." It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her pivotal foundations. And when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God.

We are a nation under God!!! Laus Deo!!! Praise be to God!!!

[pookie18]

Yes, thanks. Ran it some months ago (probably when the loon first filed the suit).