Battle Continues in Atheist’s Challenge to Presidential Inaugural Prayer
The following is a press release from Pacific Justice Institute. Please visit their website at http://www.pacificjustice.org.
Battle Continues in Atheist’s Challenge to Presidential Inaugural Prayer
Washington, D.C. - Just last month a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a federal court’s dismissal of atheist Michael Newdow’s challenge to prohibit prayers at presidential inaugurations as well the use of “So help me God” in the presidential oath. Not to be deterred, Dr. Newdow has now filed a petition for rehearing by either the same panel or a larger eleven judge panel chosen at random. In his moving papers, Dr. Newdow states that if rehearing is denied, then “the executive branch is now armed to violate the basic liberties of every American with impunity.”
“Again and again the federal courts have rejected attempts to silence invocations at presidential inaugurations,” said Brad Dacus, president of PJI. “While we are pleased with the positive outcomes we have achieved in this case so far, we will continue to fully represent Drs. Warren and Lowery, and indeed all Americans who respect our nation’s religious heritage, until these atheist’s lawsuits are fully and finally laid to rest.”The Pacific Justice Institute represents Drs. Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery, who offered the invocation and benediction at President Obama’s inauguration and are named as defendants in the lawsuit. In addition to requesting that these ministers offer prayers during the ceremony, President Obama communicated his wish to have the Chief Justice, John Roberts, administer the oath of office and include the phrase “so help me God” to conclude the oath. PJI plans to vigorously contest Dr. Newdow’s latest legal maneuver.