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‘God’ Beats Atheists
News: Video Reports
Court sides with religion
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TRANSCRIPT
Atheist activists have lost a court case to remove the name of God from public life.
On April 3, the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an atheist objection to the use of the phrase "so help me God" in the naturalization oath for citizenship.
The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Olga Perrier-Bilbo, a woman from France seeking American citizenship. It argued that the reference to God in the oath, even though it can be omitted if applicants wish, violates the Constitution because it recognizes religious belief.
But the court of appeals determined:
Perrier-Bilbo argues that she would still be compelled to affirm a religious belief she does not share if she were to take part in an oath ceremony where the phrase is used by others. Mere exposure to different religious ideas, however, does not prevent Perrier-Bilbo from ascribing to or pursuing her own belief.
It also argued, "The government is not required to further Perrier-Bilbo's spiritual development or conform to her religious beliefs."
As atheists continue the push to remove God and religion from public life, people of faith are happy to see some judges upholding references to God.
