The G-Word Stays on Money - For Now

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

What are atheists to do now that their hands will continue to be sullied by that dirty money with the word God written on it? Life's pretty good in this Christian nation - read first, then come help me persecute some non-believers:

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. district court judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a California atheist against the U.S. government for its use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on its coins and currency.

Michael Newdow, the Sacramento, California lawyer and doctor who had previously launched a court challenge on behalf of his daughter over the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance said in schools, had argued that "In God We Trust" on monetary instruments violates his rights.

Newdow claimed that by using coins and currency bearing the phrase, he is forced to carry religious dogma, proselytize and evangelize for monotheism.

Judge Frank Damrell of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California held in his opinion that "In God We Trust" is secular in nature and use, and its appearance on coins and currency does not show government coercion on behalf of monotheism.

Newdow told Reuters he would appeal to the San Francisco-based U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in his favor in his "under God" lawsuit, a decision later overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court, which found Newdow could sue not on behalf of his daughter because he lacked custody.

Of course he'll appeal to the 9th Circuit, the most radically liberal and most often unanimously overturned appeals court in the nation by the Supreme Court. But until then, Newdow will continue to be "forced" to carry "religious dogma," and lots of if he continues to be the lead crusader and spokesperson for people who melt at the sight or sound of the letters G, O and D.