Atheists fail to ban God from Obama inauguration
A US federal judge refused to order the words “so help me God” taken out of President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural oath or to stop ministers from praying at the inauguration ceremony.
US District Judge Reggie Walton turned down a request from a group of atheists and agnostics to force Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts not to add those words to the 35-word inaugural oath outlined in the Constitution.
The group, led by atheist Michael Newdow, also wanted to prohibit Mr Obama’s chosen inaugural ministers, the Reverends Joseph Lowery and Rick Warren, from offering prayers at the inauguration.
The presidential oath of office dictated by the Constitution is 35 words long and 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.”
The National Archives says George Washington added the words “so help me God” when he took the oath at his 1789 inaugural, and most presidents have used it since.
Mr Obama already has told Mr Roberts he wants to use the words “so help me God” when he takes the oath.
Mr Walton said he lacked the authority to order Obama not to say the words, saying the president-elect had a right to free speech.
