On Tuesday, a Federal appeals court found that the inscription «In God We Trust» on us currency is unconstitutional. The judges took this decision, citing the fact that the label is used for a long time and have not been placed forcibly, writes Reuters.
The U.S. court of appeals in St. Paul (Minnesota) rejected the claims of atheists, who argue that the classic motto on the banknotes and coins violates the First amendment on freedom of speech and religious rights. The plaintiffs claim that the inscription violates their «deeply religious conviction that there is no God» and turns thereby into political outsiders, placing the motto on American money.
The motto «In God We Trust» appeared on U.S. coins in 1864 during the civil war, when increased religious sentiment, and the paper notes it was added in the mid 1950-ies.
President Dwight Eisenhower signed the law that made the phrase the national motto in 1956. The first bill with the motto officially entered circulation on 1 October 1957.
Michael Newdow, counsel for the plaintiffs made known to other unsuccessful litigation challenging the inclusion of «under God» in the pledge of allegiance to the United States. He also was against any religious references in the inauguration of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
