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Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today made himself one of the most vocal proponents of keeping the phrase “so help me God” in the presidential oath, which President-Elect Obama will recite on Inauguration Day.
In a brief filed in Washington today, Abbott, with backing by representatives from all fifty states, challenged a lawsuit filed on December 30 by assorted atheist groups which claims that the religious aspects of the inauguration ceremony are in violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
“Public acknowledgments of God at official functions have been customary since the nation’s founding," argued Abbott. "President George Washington began an unbroken, 200-year tradition when he inserted the phrase 'so help me God' at the end of his oath of office in 1789.... Today, it is common for prayers and oaths invoking God to be incorporated into swearing-in ceremonies across the country."
A hearing is set for January 15.
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Too bad our AG doesn't understand that "tradition" constitutional does not make.
The first amendment to the constitution was meant to prevent a) the establishment of state religion and b) laws either supressing or promoting certain religions. Adding "so help me god" is an individual choice that a president makes when giving the oath (much like adding their middle name, or using a nickname).
This is NOT a consitutional issue.
This god crap is for weak-minded people. Get a life!
Horrible things have been done in the name of god. God has no place in government!
Random, while you make it seem as though this is an option, it is only an option to use the word "God" or not. What if he were to say " so help me Allah" - would that make any difference to you? Politicians fighting to keep something specific in place that is biased or geared towards one particular group would seem to be a violation of the 1st Amendment to me. Your literal stance may provide justification for your statement, but the intention of the amendment should have more latitude.
I'm a little late with this, but no, a reference to Allah wouldn't make a difference to me. People misunderstand the purpose of the 1st amendment. It was never intended to get religion out of government, or to remove it's influence. It was intended to prevent institutionalized discrimination of religions.
The AG is not requiring Obama, or anyone else to say so help me god, but merely making sure they have the right to say. Which actually may make him the stronger first amendment advocate.
It's good to see that even in the face of all the other problems our country is facing that our state's attorney general hasn't lost sight of what's most important. Makes me proud to be a Texan.
Seth
You have to admit he could be doing worse things; like suing the BCS over the ranking of a college football team. I thin this ranks just above the football issue though, not any higher.
I'm not so sure this does rank above the football issue. At least from a football perspective there's money involved.
Although I agree with the premise that both actions should be considered irresponsible of an AG.