Atheists were supposed to be the smart ones, now they're being as ridiculous as the religiosity folks. Obama will say "so help me God." I say he needs all the help he can get.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama will invoke God when he takes the oath of office January 20, despite a lawsuit filed by atheist and non-religious groups, according to an attorney for Chief Justice John Roberts, who will administer the oath.
President-elect Barack Obama has asked to invoke the phrase "so help me God" at the end of his oath.
The groups have sued in federal court to block any mention of God during the inaugural ceremonies. Roberts was among those named in the suit.
However, Obama wishes to conclude the oath with the phrase "so help me God," Jeffrey Minear, an attorney and administrative assistant for Roberts, told a federal court in documents Friday.
The Constitution mandates the exact language to be used in the 35-word oath of office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Some chief executives have embellished the oath with "so help me God." It is not constitutionally required, unlike in other federal oaths.
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Michael Newdow, supported by several groups including the American Humanist Association, claims in his lawsuit that "so help me God" violates the constitutional ban on government "endorsement" of religion. He asked a federal judge to intervene and block references of God or religion in the formal ceremonies.
The lawsuit also opposes the traditional invocation and benediction to be delivered by pastors invited by Obama.
"There can be no purpose for placing 'so help me God' in an oath or sponsoring prayers to God, other than promoting the particular point of view that God exists," according to the lawsuit.
