Constitutional Law

High court won't hear atheist's challenge to 'In God We Trust'

By By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court won't hear an atheist's latest challenge to the U.S. government's references to God.

The Court today refused to hear an appeal from Michael Newdow, who says government references to God violate the First Amendment?s separation of church and state and infringe on his religious beliefs.

This appeal dealt with the inscription of the national motto "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins and currency. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in March 2010 that the phrase is ceremonial and patriotic and "has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion."

The high court refused to hear Newdow's appeal of that decision.

"In God We Trust" was first put on U.S. coins in the 1860s and on paper currency in the 1950s.

The case is Newdow v. Lefevre, 10-893.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on March 06, 2011 (boomark / email).