A district court judge in Ohio has upheld the constitutionality of having the national motto “In God We Trust” on United States currency, rejecting the most recent legal attempt by atheist activist Michael Newdow to strike the phrase. Judge Benita Y. Pearson of the Northern District of Ohio rejected an effort by a group of plaintiffs to strike the motto from
American money under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In a ruling issued on Wednesday, Judge Pearson reasoned that RFRA was inapplicable because the plaintiffs “cannot demonstrate that the use of the motto on currency substantially burdens their religious exercise.” “Credit cards and checks allow Plaintiffs to conduct the bulk of their purchases with currency not inscribed with the motto. READ MORE
